A major U.S. steel supplier, Schuff Steel Co., has agreed to pay $500,000 to settle a federal civil claim by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) over allegations of racial discrimination against Black and Hispanic workers. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Arizona, accused the company of racial harassment and retaliation at its main plant in Eloy, Arizona.
According to court papers, employees claimed they were forced to work with a manager, identified as Travis Bell, who regularly ridiculed Hispanic workers for their English language skills and raised his fist while declaring white power! in front of Black employees. The manager also allegedly used racial slurs, including the N-word towards Black workers and derogatory terms for Hispanics.
The lawsuit further alleged that Bell would berate Latino employees for speaking Spanish on the job. Employees who complained about the manager’s behavior faced retaliation from the company, with some being fired and others being forced to work the graveyard shift.
Notably, the settlement requires Schuff Steel Co. to implement companywide policies to prevent further harassment and retaliation. It also mandates the appointment of an external expert to review and update the company’s Equal Employment Opportunity policies. Additionally, employees, managers, and human resources staff will receive anti-discrimination training, and the policies will be posted in both English and Spanish. An anonymous hotline will also be set up to report discrimination.
The lawsuit was filed after the company refused to negotiate a conciliatory agreement with the EEOC. No person should ever have to work in such a racist and hostile work environment in order to make a living to support their families. And it is particularly troublesome that this behavior was done by a manager in this case, said Mary Jo O’Neill, Regional Attorney of the EEOC Phoenix District Office.
The settlement serves as a reminder that the EEOC is dedicated to combatting discrimination in all industries. The EEOC will continue to work tirelessly to root out discrimination wherever it is found, in any industry, stated Nancy Sienko, the acting director of the EEOC’s Phoenix District Office.
Schuff Steel Co., known for fabricating massive steel construction beams for various projects across the country, including major pro sports stadiums and Apple’s headquarters, will now face the challenge of rebuilding its reputation and ensuring a fair and inclusive work environment for its employees.
