Black Shell employees sue company for $100 million

Jet, June 26, 1995

Ten Black employees of Shell Oil Co. have filed a $100 million racial and sexual discrimination lawsuit against the company.

The suit alleges Shell consistently failed to promote Black employees and that Blacks are disadvantaged in seeking and obtaining promotions at all levels when compared to their White counterparts.

The seven men and three women have worked for Shell from one to 31 years. The three women include in their suit a charge of gender discrimination, in addition to race discrimination.

The plaintiffs work in the Retail Marketing Division offices of Shell Oil in Los Angeles and East Bay, CA, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Michigan.

"We plan to demonstrate through the court system that our clients have been consistently and consciously denied promotions by Shell Oil throughout their loyal service to this company," said Ernie Beffel, attorney for the employees. "Their basic civil rights guaranteed by the constitution have been denied."

The employees seek to recover punitive damages and request a number of compensation items including the institution and implementation of affirmative action programs as well as a diversity management program.