Labor Department Signs Settlement Agreement with
Swissport USA Inc. to Remedy Hiring Discrimination

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that it has entered into a settlement agreement with Swissport USA, Inc. (formerly Dynair). The settlement resolves the department’s allegations that Swissport discriminatorily refused to hire female and minority job applicants into ramp worker positions, at the Anchorage, Alaska Airport.

“The settlement reached on behalf of these workers reflects the Department’s continued commitment to remedying unfair hiring practices and keeping workplaces free of discrimination,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

Under the settlement agreement, Swissport will pay $94,065 in back pay and interest to 17 female and minority job applicants, as well as offer them jobs with the company. In addition to the job offers and back pay, Swissport agreed to revise its hiring and selection procedures to preclude future discrimination against minority and female job applicants.

The department’s allegations arose out of a compliance review conducted by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), which enforces nondiscrimination obligations of Federal contractors. OFCCP initiated the compliance review based on information provided through reports Swissport made under a previous agreement with the department.

Swissport USA, Inc. of Anchorage is part of Swissport North America, Inc., located in Dulles, Virginia. Swissport provides airport ground handling services to the Federal government.

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, part of the Labor Department’s Employment Standards Administration, enforces Executive Order 11246 and other laws that prohibit employment discrimination by federal contractors. The agency monitors federal contractors to ensure that they provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, gender, color, religion, national origin, disability or veterans’ status and meet affirmative action requirements.

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.