Beef Suppliers Beef it Up

Back in 1919, Curly Lambeau worked for the Indian Packing Company and asked his bosses for money for football jerseys and use of the company’s athletic field.  Out of this partnership, the Green Bay Packers were born.

Many people are more familiar with the green and gold uniforms of the Green Bay Packers than the daily realities for workers in modern meatpacking facilities.

Until now, football and aspects of the meat industry have shared a systematic prejudice against women.

But now, due to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, one beef supplier will have to break this pattern.  Federal contractor Green Bay Dressed Beef LLC will pay $1.65 million in back wages, interest and benefits to 970 women who were subjected to systemic discrimination by the company.

The settlement follows an investigation which found that the women were rejected for general laborer positions at the company’s Green Bay plant in 2006 and 2007.

“This is the 21st century in the United States of America. There is no such thing as a “man’s job,'” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “I am pleased that my department has been able to work out a resolution with Green Bay Dressed Beef, and that the settlement not only compensates the victims of discrimination but also provides jobs for many of these women.”

In addition to financial compensation, the beef supplier will extend a total of 248 offers of employment to affected women as positions become available. The company already has hired more than 60 of the women in the original class.

Recruiters may be interested to note the terms of the agreement.  Not only were women in the lawsuit financially compensated, but the company was also made responsible for providing jobs for many of the victims of discrimination.