Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
1401 New York Avenue, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005

For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Kim Alton
(202) 662-8600
December 17, 2007

Judge Grants Approval For $6.2 Million Partial Settlement Of Historic Union Discrimination Case

(New York, NY) – On January 7, 2008, a federal court granted approval for a $6.2 million partial settlement for Black and Hispanic sheet metal workers who suffered discrimination by their union.

Following a fairness hearing held on January 7, 2008, in which affected individuals had the opportunity to comment on the proposed settlement, Judge Robert L. Carter of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York granted final approval of the settlement. The settlement compensates minority members of Local 28 of the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association in New York City for lost wages for the years 1984 to 1991 that resulted from the minority members' underemployment due to racial discrimination by Local 28. The parties have also agreed to significant changes in the job referral system as well as monitoring systems aimed at equalizing members' access to job opportunities. The parties are continuing to work toward a prompt and fair resolution of the remaining claims of union members who suffered discrimination
after 1991.

The partial settlement was reached through intense negotiations between the plaintiffs and the defendant union Local 28. Government plaintiffs in the case are the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the State of New York, and the City of New York. The minority members are represented by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in Washington, DC and the New York law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP.

'We are thrilled that our clients will finally receive compensation for some of the discrimination they suffered,” said Michae' L. Foreman, Director of the Employment Discrimination Project of the Lawyers' Committee. 'Without the tireless commitment of our co-counsel at Debevoise & Plimpton, who have devoted significant time and resources to this pro bono case, this outcome would not have been possible.'

'We are extremely pleased that such a substantial settlement has been approved for this set of claims, and we are eager to continue working toward resolution of remaining claims and issues,' said Jyotin Hamid, a partner with Debevoise & Plimpton.

'This historic agreement was reached through the collaborative efforts of the plaintiffs and the new leadership of Local 28, headed by President and Business Manager Michael V. Belluzzi, in conjunction with Special Master David Raff, as well as the members of the class and other members of Local 28,' said Riccardo Iaccarino, the attorney for Local 28. 'Local 28 looks forward to resolving the remaining claims and to the continuing cooperation of all parties in an effort to provide equal work opportunities for all of its members,' added Iaccarino.

'We hope that these developments are an indication that, with the recent change in leadership, the union has decided, after many years of costly litigation, to work with the court and the plaintiffs in obeying the court orders and to begin to resolve the outstanding claims against it,' said Spencer Lewis, the District Director of the EEOC's New York office.

'This is a major victory in the decades-long process to end discrimination against Black and Hispanic members of Local 28 and restore their lost wages,' said Joshua Rubin, Senior Counsel at the New York City Law Department. 'The City will continue to press for non-discriminatory practices and help others receive compensation for their
lost earnings.'



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