Manufacturing Giant Settles Bias Suit

PHILADELPHIA —A business unit of aluminum maker Alcoa has settled a discrimination case with the U.S. Department of Labor for $540,000, the government said.

Alcoa Mill Products Inc. will pay $484,656.19 in back wages to 37 Hispanics and African-Americans as well as $35,516.88 to two women who all were rejected for job positions at the company's plant in Lancaster, Pa. The settlement resolves a finding by the U.S. Department of Labor that the company discriminated against Hispanic, African-American and female applicants for material handler positions. Alcoa Mill Products is part of Alcoa Inc., the world's leading producer of aluminum.

The department's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs conducted a scheduled compliance review of the Lancaster manufacturing facility from 2009 to 2010, and determined that the company had violated Executive Order 11246 by failing to meet its obligations as a federal contractor to ensure that qualified job applicants receive equal consideration for employment without regard to their sex, race, color, religion or national origin. Alcoa holds contracts with the U.S. Army in excess of $50 million.

"No worker should be denied a job because of factors that have absolutely nothing to do with his or her ability to accomplish the work," said OFCCP Director Patricia Shiu. "I am glad we reached a fair settlement with Alcoa Mill Products, one that not only provides financial remedies for the affected victims, but also creates opportunities for good jobs."

Under a conciliation agreement with OFCCP, Alcoa Mill Products has agreed to pay the back wages and extend job offers to nine of the identified class members as positions become available. Additionally, the company agreed to spend at least $20,000 on equal employment opportunity, anti-harassment and sensitivity training for its workforce, including all managers and human resources personnel involved in hiring. Finally, the company agreed to revise its selection process for material handlers.