Black truck drivers who claimed that Wal-Mart discriminated against them have reached a settlement of $17.5 million, although the company denies any wrongdoing.

The 23 drivers who filed suit will also receive priority job placement for future work with the company.

According to the Associated Press, figures show that 15 percent of truckers were black from 2000 to 2005.

However, in that five-year period only 4 percent to 6 percent of Wal-Mart’s 8,000 truckers were black, and none of the hiring committees at Wal-Mart’s various sites had a strong representation of blacks, despite a rule that the panels have 50 percent minority membership.

— Brittany Owens/Newsdesk.org

Source:

“Retail giant Wal-Mart settles suit by black truck drivers”
Associated Press, February 20, 2009