Black workers at U.S. Forest Service in 12 states complain of discrimination

Jet, Jan 20, 1997

Black employees at the U.S. Forest Service have launched a complaint against the agency's Southeast offices for alleged discrimination.

Three women employees are seeking an Equal Employment Opportunities Commission class-action lawsuit against the Agriculture Department on behalf of almost 300 Black Forest Service employees in 12 states and Puerto Rico. The complaint alleges a pattern of discrimination by managers in training, hiring, promotions, award recognition and other decisions. It also says that the Forest Service started criminal investigations of Black employees after they complained about unequal treatment.

Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman's spokeswoman said he had scheduled "listening sessions" in several cities.