15 Black Workers file Racial discrimination suit against International Steel

Saying a Chester County steel plant was a "racially hostile environment," 15 African American workers and former workers filed a federal discrimination lawsuit today against International Steel Group Inc. The suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for Pennsylvania's Eastern District, also named as a defendant the United Steelworkers Local 1165, which represents the 615 hourly workers at ISG's plant. This is the second major racial discrimination suit filed against the plant and the steelworkers since the early 1970s. The plant - then operated by Lukens Steel Inc. - and the steelworkers' union in 1986 settled a 1973 suit that claimed African American workers were harassed on the job, denied the best jobs and promotions, and laid off in a discriminatory manner during probationary periods. A steelworkers' official said today that the union had investigated the recent claims of racial hostility. "I don't believe any of this is justified, and as a union we represent all employees," said Bill Sharp, president of the union local. He said he had not seen the lawsuit. ISG, one of the nation's largest steel companies, based in Richfield, Ohio, acquired the former Lukens plant in Coatesville through its purchase of Bethlehem Steel Corp. in 2003. ISG said in a statement that it also had not seen the suit and could not comment. The plaintiffs are seeking financial damages resulting from lost wages, lost overtime and missed promotions. The plaintiffs - most of whom live in Coatesville and include two women - say workers hung a noose from a scrap crane and spray-painted swastikas on walls and tables in the plant. [more]

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