Eastman Kodak Co. has agreed to pay $21.4 million to settle a pair of race discrimination lawsuits filed by current and former African-American workers.
The settlement, which still needs final approval by a judge, would end two class-action lawsuits pending against the company in federal court in Rochester — one filed in 2004 by a group calling itself Employees Committed for Justice and one in 2007 by a separate group of Kodak workers.
In the lawsuits, Kodak was accused of discriminatory practices in pay and promotions.
In the settlement, Kodak admits no wrongdoing.
Under the terms of the tentative agreement, Kodak would pay $75,000 each to a core group of 12 plaintiffs, while 15 others would receive $5,000 each.
A larger pool of African Americans who worked for Kodak between 1999 and 2006 — potentially more than 3,000 people, according to court papers -- would receive monetary awards ranging from $500 to upwards of $3,000.
A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan W. Feldman for final approval of the proposed settlement.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090714/BUSINESS/90714028/1001/Kodak+to+pay++21M+to+settle+bias+suits+by+African-American+workers