CNN: Feds slam Texas factory over discrimination claims

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/04/14/texas.discrimination/

By the CNN Wire Staff April 15, 2010 2:52 a.m. EDT

Dallas, Texas (CNN) -- African-American workers at a Texas pipe factory endured a string of racial slurs and harassment and were targeted by their managers when they complained, federal investigators have determined.

Black employees at the Turner Industries plant in Paris, Texas, regularly "were subjected to unwelcome racial slurs, comments and intimidation, racial graffiti, nooses in the workplace and other symbols of discrimination," the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reported.


At a news conference Wednesday, current and former Turner Industries workers showed examples of harassment.


Black workers also were denied promotions and disciplined more harshly than whites, the agency concluded in a three-page letter in late March. Managers at the plant not only were aware of a "hostile environment," they also targeted workers who complained and disciplined white employees who opposed the harassment, the EEOC found.

The EEOC has called on Turner Industries, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to join talks aimed at producing a "just resolution" to the problems. The company said its plant "is free from any form of discrimination, retaliation, or any other workplace conduct that violates the law."
Video: Employees allege 'n-word' at work
Video: Photos show nooses in workplace

RELATED TOPICS

* African-American Issues
* Employment Discrimination
* Racism and Bigotry
* Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

"We are disappointed that the EEOC has issued this determination and strongly disagree with the EEOC's findings," Michael Phelps, Turner Industries' vice president for human resources, said in a written statement.

Lawyers for the seven Turner employees who went to the EEOC displayed photographs of the slurs, of hanging nooses and threatening notes left for employees at the Paris plant during a news conference Wednesday. One of those employees, Dontrail Mathis, told reporters that he was frequently called racially inflammatory names and that most African-American employees were relegated to the paint shop.

FULL story at link.

[monmouth]

1. What is with that name "Phelps"....I hope these employees get relief

from this disgusting conduct. I also hope they're not fired. This company sounds horrible.