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November 7, 2006
ASHLAND, AL — Tyson Foods Inc. has settled a lawsuit filed by 13 black workers at the company's Ashland poultry plant, who claimed that white workers posted a "white's only" sign on a locked bathroom and only allowed whites to use it.
The employees complained in 2003 that keys to the bathroom in a maintenance shop were distributed only to white employees and that plaintiffs were subjected to suspensions and disciplinary write-ups when they complained about it.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit in 2005 on behalf of the black workers.
Officials with Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson Foods have contended they did not authorize or condone the posting of such a sign and noted the company does not tolerate discrimination in the workplace.
In the settlement announced Tuesday, Tyson agreed to pay a total of $871,000 to the 13 plaintiffs, according to a joint press release from Tyson and from the plaintiffs.
Tyson denies violating any laws, but agreed to take additional steps to ensure the prevention of discrimination, harassment and retaliation at the Ashland plant. Those steps include designating a corporate human resources executive to ensure all Ashland workers are trained on Tyson's anti-discrimination policies and procedures.
Audrey Wiggins, an attorney for the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in Washington, D.C., which helped represent the workers, said the settlement was good for all employees at the Alabama plant.
"I think this is a great step forward, and our clients are pleased there will be actual changes made at the plant," Wiggins said.
She said the cash settlement would be distributed among all 13 plaintiffs, but said she could not say how much each person would receive.
The senior vice president of human resources for Tyson Foods, Ken Kimbro, said the company is committed to treating all workers fairly and providing "a workplace free of discrimination and harassment."
"We support diversity and inclusion in the workplace," Kimbro said.
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