Alcoa Pays To Settle Discrimination Claims

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal officials said on Tuesday that an Alcoa Inc. subsidiary in central Pennsylvania will pay more than $540,000 to settle claims that it discriminated against minorities and women.

Alcoa Mill Products Inc. will pay about $485,000 in back wages to 37 Hispanics and African-American men who were denied jobs at the plant in Lancaster. Two women will split about $35,000.

Alcoa will also spend $20,000 on sensitivity training and offer jobs to nine of the workers as positions become available.

The settlement announced Tuesday by the Labor Department resolves a case that stemmed from a federal compliance review between 2009 and 2010.

Alcoa spokesman Kevin Lowery said the company has addressed officials' concerns and admits no wrongdoing. Alcoa Mill Products is part of Alcoa Inc., a Pittsburgh-based aluminum manufacturer.