Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of Louisiana resolves US Labor Department claim of hiring discrimination against 467 warehouse workers

SAINT ROSE, La. – A routine investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs found that Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of Louisiana, LLC, systemically discriminated against black applicants in its hiring practices at its St. Rose warehouse facility. The company has entered into a consent decree to resolve the department’s claims.

An OFCCP compliance review found that, from January 2008 to January 2009, the federal contractor discriminated against 467 black applicants for warehouse worker positions in violation of Executive Order 11246. OFCCP also found that the company failed to keep complete and accurate employment records and failed to evaluate its selection procedures as required by law.  

Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of Louisiana is a wholesale distributor of spirits, wines and malt beverages. The company has contracts with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service.

“When contractors accept federal funds, they agree to comply with anti-discrimination laws,” said OFCCP Acting Director Thomas M. Dowd. “This consent decree with Southern Glazer’s highlights our commitment to enforcing those laws through voluntary compliance.”

While not admitting liability, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of Louisiana has agreed to pay $175,000 in back wages and interest to the 467 affected class members and to extend 13 job offers. A judge in the Office of Administrative Law Judges has entered an order adopting the consent decree. 

In addition to Executive Order 11246, OFCCP enforces Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. These laws, as amended, make it illegal for contractors and subcontractors doing business with the federal government to discriminate in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.  In addition, contractors and subcontractors are prohibited from discriminating against applicants or employees because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their compensation or that of others, subject to certain limitations. For more information, please call OFCCP’s toll-free helpline at 800-397-6251 or visit http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/.

OFCCP recently launched the Class Member Locator. The purpose of the CML is to identify applicants and/or workers who have been impacted by OFCCP’s compliance evaluations and complaint investigations and who may be entitled to monetary relief and/or consideration for job placement. If you are a black jobseeker who applied for work as a warehouse worker at Southern Glazer’s St. Rose warehouse facility from January 2008 to January 2009, and were not hired, please visit our website at http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/CML/index.htm, where you can also find information about this and other recent OFCCP settlements, or call 855-680-0971.