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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

ESA Press Release: Pepsi-Cola to Pay $106,691 as Part of Agreement with U.S. Labor Department to Resolve Discrimination Allegations [07/23/1998]

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Pepsi-Cola will pay $106,691 as part of a signed conciliation agreement to resolve allegations of race and gender discrimination in hiring at its Columbus, Ohio bottling plant, the U. S. Department of Labor announced today.

"This administration remains committed to equal opportunity on the job," said Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman. "Today minorities and women indeed all workers--should expect a quality workplace free of discrimination."

The company agreed to pay a total of $106,691 to 394 minority and female job applicants. As part of the agreement, the company will also make offers to hire 30 of the individuals into full-time positions and 17 into part-time seasonal positions.

The violations were uncovered during a routine compliance review conducted by the department's Office Of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) that began June 2, 1997. OFCCP alleges that the company discriminated against minority and female applicants for merchandiser positions. The alleged violations took place between March, 1995 and June, 1997.

"We are pleased at the resolution that was achieved in this matter," said Shirley J. Wilcher, who heads OFCCP. "However," Wilcher added, "this case finding is another reminder that equal employment opportunity calls for pro-active measures and watchful oversight by company management."

Pepsi-Cola has a contract with the Veterans Administration to provide soft drinks to various VA facilities throughout the country.

Part of the Labor Department's Employment Standards Administration, OFCCP enforces Executive Order 11246 and other federal laws requiring federal contractors to guarantee equal employment opportunity without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender, disability or veteran's status, and to meet affirmative action obligations.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.