EEOC sues Caterpillar alleging racial bias

Jet, Sept 1, 2003

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed two lawsuits against Caterpillar Inc., accusing the company of permitting racial and sexual harassment at two Illinois plants.

Both lawsuits were filed in federal court in Chicago. One alleges that the heavy-equipment maker refused to address complaints that White employees whistled at Black employees "as if they were dogs" at Caterpillar's Joliet plant during 2000 and 2001.

The EEOC's second lawsuit charged that a male supervisor engaged in "sexually offensive propositions" and inappropriate touching of women at caterpillar's Aurora factory. At least three women who complained were fired in retaliation, EEOC attorney Lauren Dreilinger said.

Both lawsuits seek unspecified compensatory and punitive damages along with injunctions barring future discrimination and requiring Caterpillar to take steps to prevent such acts in the future.

Rich Lavin, vice president for Peoria, IL-based Caterpillar's human services division, said the company has policies prohibiting harassment and discrimination, and does not tolerate retaliation against employees who report such conduct.

"There is no merit to these allegations and we intend to defend vigorously against them," according to Lavin.