DENVER — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has reached a $153,000 settlement with Teamsters Local Union No. 455 to resolve allegations the union denied fair representation to some of its members faced with discrimination.
According to the EEOC, the agency's investigation found that Local 455 did not advocate for some of their members who worked at the Cargill Meat Solutions plant in Fort Morgan, Colorado., and were subjected to retaliation and a hostile work environment due to their race, national origin and Muslim religion.
"In its capacity as a bargaining representative for its members, labor unions have an obligation to represent their members regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability," EEOC Phoenix District director Elizabeth Cadle said in a statement. "We thank Local 455 and the charging parties for working with the EEOC to reach this positive conciliation on these important issues."
The parties agreed to a conciliation that includes the monetary relief and Local 455 undergoing mandatory Title VII grievance filing and handling training, according to the EEOC. Local 455 also will make pertinent records available to the EEOC for inspection throughout the three-year agreement, the commission said.