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Federal civil rights laws prohibit discrimination based on gender, age, race, and national origin. On August 4, 2003, the court granted final approval to the parties' $1.5 million settlement in an action filed against Colorado Central Station Casino operator Anchor Coin, Inc. on behalf of Hispanic employees who allege that they were verbally harassed and subjected to "English-only" rules in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The casino is in Black Hawk, Colorado. Eligible claimants should contact the EEOC for further information.

A class action has been filed by laid-off United Airlines mechanics against the airline and the mechanics' union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The action alleges that the mechanics were improperly laid off when United closed its Oakland, California, and Indianapolis, Indiana, maintenance facilities in April, 2003.

Royal Dutch/Shell Group agreed to pay about $90 million to settle a lawsuit brought by its U.S. employees after the company overstated its oil and gas reserves by 41 percent. The accord brings to about $240 million costs related to the overstatement, which led to lawsuits, criminal investigations and the ouster of Chief Executive Philip Watts. Insurance will cover $25 million of the settlement, Shell said in a statement July 12, 2005.

Laborers employed by Terminix International Company have filed a class action lawsuit against the nationwide extermination service and its parent company, Servicemaster. The lawsuit claims that the defendants require employees to work hours in excess of 40 per week without receiving overtime. The complaint alleges that this denial of overtime violates the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The plaintiffs seek an award of the unpaid overtime together with interest, costs and other damages.

A racial discrimination lawsuit filed against Woodward Governor Co. has now been as a class-action lawsuit. The ruling, issued by Judge Philip Reinhard, opens the case to at least 117 current and former minority workers at the Loves Park-based fuel control manufacturer. "This is a very significant junction," said Jennifer Soule, lead attorney for the 16 plaintiffs who originally brought the suit. "Because it's been certified as a class action, the plaintiffs can potentially obtain relief on behalf of all African Americans, Hispanics and Asians who have worked for the company for a number of years." The lawsuit, which was filed in May 2003 in U.S. District Court in Rockford, alleges that 14 blacks, one Hispanic and one Asian were intentionally discriminated against by Woodward because of their race. The suit also claims that Woodward has a racially hostile work environment and a racial composition less than the overall work force of Winnebago County.

A class action has been filed against New York City Health and Hospital Corporation for retaliation and violations of overtime laws. The complaint alleges that Marjorie Barnwell worked for Kings County Hospital, but was not paid for overtime and that the Hospital retaliated against her when she confronted them. Barnwell is suing for unpaid overtime compensation and retaliation.

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