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OPA News Release: [01/27/2003]
Contact Name: Yvonne Ralsky
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676

Labor Department Files Administrative Complaint Alleging Hiring Discrimination Against INA Bearing Company in South Carolina

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor today filed an administrative complaint against INA Bearing Company of Fort Mill, S.C. The complaint alleges that INA discriminated against 567 minority job applicants for skilled and semi-skilled manufacturing jobs at the Company’s Cheraw, S.C. facility. The complaint also alleges that INA discriminated against 62 women by hiring them but assigning them to low-paying jobs.

The department seeks an order requiring INA to offer jobs to the applicants and women who would have been hired or assigned to higher paying jobs absent the discrimination. The department also seeks lost wages, interest, front wages, and all other fringe benefits of employment.

The Labor Department uncovered the alleged discrimination during a compliance review of INA’s Cheraw facility conducted by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). OFCCP considered INA’s responses to OFCCP’s findings, hired an expert to analyze INA’s positions, and tried to achieve a settlement, but the department’s efforts at conciliation failed. INA Bearing has contracts to provide bearings to the Defense Logistics Agency.

“The filing of this complaint against INA Bearing Company reflects the department’s commitment to take strong action against workplace discrimination,” said Charles E. James, Sr., deputy assistant secretary for federal contract compliance. “OFCCP is working closely with the Solicitor’s Office to expedite enforcement actions where the facts indicate discrimination has occurred.”

The OFCCP enforces laws and executive orders that require federal contractors to provide equal employment opportunity for women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans. More information is available on the Web at www.dol.gov/esa/ofccp.

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