Boycott Ford Motor Company -- Please Distribute Freely

During June 1993, 100+ African-American Ford salaried employees filed suit in Minneapolis Federal District Court. The case was subsequently moved by Ford to Detroit Federal District Court under the authority of Judge Bernard A. Friedman, a Reagan appointee. The class alleges three key points: excessive standards for minimal advancement, cronyism, and a subjective performance appraisal system that presupposes the advancement of non-blacks over blacks.

Observed behaviors include, but are not limited to: racial slurs, racist literature and postings, constant references to low intellect, bias with regard to promotion, potential ranking, and transfer, pranks, biased discipline, false accusations of sexual harassment by white female employees against black male employees, false accusations against black males as to potential for physical violence, and character assassination of blacks who report offenses to personnel.

Ford defenses include, but are not limited to: sub-par performance, behavior/attitude problems, statute of limitations, and negation of constructive discharge based on voluntary quits or that the employee had been seeking other employment.

After twice being denied class status by Judge Friedman, we were forced into Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) consisting of settlement talks, mediation, and mini-trial. Judge Friedman indicated that he would dismiss any case that comes before him. Five years later in 1998, we are in the mediation phase. During the initial settlement phase many cases of the most blatant corporate racism were dismissed as being without merit and a nuisance for $5000 or less.

What we need from all those reading this message are two things. The first is a worldwide boycott of Ford Motor Company products: Ford & Lincoln-Mercury, Jaguar, Mazda, and Kia. The second is external pressure on Ford to assure equitable reparations. If only 10,000 people respond to this message by not purchasing Ford products, the expected economic damage to Ford is $2.5 billion.

Please respond to: The Coalition Against Corporate Racism, 7528 Rugby Street, Philadelphia, PA 19150, USA.