African-American Employees v Nucor Corp.
Birmingham Law Firm Wins Class Action Status For Racial Bias Case vs. Nucor Corp.
The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals says allegations of racial discrimination made by current and former African-American employees of Nucor Corp.s plant in Huger, S.C., should be tried as a class-action suit.
Birmingham law firm Wiggins Childs Quinn & Pantazis represents the plaintiffs.
The ruling overturns an order by a federal judge in South Carolina that denied class certification. The appellate court says the claims of discrimination in promotions and a racially charged environment show broad enough application to merit the classification.
The accusations made by seven current and former African-American employees of the Huger plant were sent to U.S. District Court in South Carolina in 2004 for trial.
The suit contends African-American employees were systematically prevented from learning of and applying for promotion opportunities, and that African-Americans were subjected to racial epithets, called boy and denied training afforded to white employees. It contends managers at the plant condoned use of the company e-mail system to send racially demeaning comments and photographs.
The action seeks an order prohibiting such practices at Nucor and correcting conditions to allow African-Americans to hold positions and salaries they would have qualified for. It also asks for back pay and other damages.
The trial judge, Judge Weston Houck, found no basis for claims of a hostile work environment at the plant. The appellate court found otherwise.
For more information please contact:
Wiggins Childs Quinn & Pantazis
The Kress Building
301 - 19th Street North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Phone: (205) 314-0500
Fax: (205) 254-1500
