Ford Discrimination Case FAQ

Ford Motor Case FAQ

1. What is the status of the case in Federal District Court?
A: We are in an Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) process for settlement.

2. This indicates the case was filed in 1993. Can you provide a brief overview of why it has been stuck there?
A: Ford has used every tactic to stall. Ford had the case moved from Minneapolis to Detroit. The Judge, Bernard A. Friedman, had cancer treatment for all of 1995, yet did not relinquish control. Finally, Friedman twice denied us class motion.

3. What is the make-up of the court? Bush appointee(s)? Clinton appointee(s)?
A: Bernard A. Friedman is a Reagan-appointee who does not believe in class-motions and doubts the existence of discrimination.

4. What is Ford's view of the case, other than to say they are innocent?
A: Ford believes that discrimination did not take place in all of its 22 divisions. Further, they feel that not all levels of employee have filed suit. Finally, they pleaded managers' discretion on personnel practices.

5. Do you have any electronic newsclippings of the case that you could attach to an e-mail?
A: See Detroit News article (already sent)

6. Has anyone tried picketing Ford's annual meeting? Results?
A: No. Issue is time and money.

7. Has the EEOC weighed-in on the case? If so, what is their take on the case?
A: EEOC simply gave us "Right to Sue" letters without opinion.

8. Is there a website containing the Ford employees' viewpoints?
A: No. Of the class, I am the "Lone Ranger" and my dimension of war is the E-mail battlefield.

At 05:56 PM 2/26/98 -0500, you wrote: TO: Proteus

Answers to the questions outlined below would help in writing a letter to Ford.

//////////////////////////////////////////Hope Your Day is Going Well\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Timothy Wise timwise@dgs.net Arlington, Virginia (703) 243-8345

----------From: Paul Gorski <pcg9r@virginia.edu To: Tim Wise <timwise@dgsys.com Subject: Re: Ford Discrimination (Revised) Date: Thursday, February 26, 1998 9:24 AM

Tim,

Thanks for the questions, but I was forwarding the message from someone else. I suggest directing your questions to the original sender:

proteus@op.net

Good luck,

----------From: Paul Gorski <pcg9r@virginia.edu To: mcpavilion@virginia.edu

Subject: Ford Discrimination (Revised) Date: Wednesday, February 25, 1998 4:43 PM

Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 12:06:05 -0500 (EST) X-Sender: proteus@mailhost.op.net Mime-Version: 1.0 To: m.parnell@bbcnc.org.uk, pcg9r@virginia.edu From: "Calvin Speight Jr." <proteus@op.net Subject: Ford Discrimination (Revised)

Remember the Texaco Discrimination Case. Well, the same thing is occurring at Ford Motor Company. Despite the fact that African-Americans buy 20% of Ford's North American output (the Gross Margin), 150 Black professional employees have been involved in a litigation that was filed June 1993 in Minneapolis Federal District Court.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court here, says Ford discourages black employees from seeking promotional opportunities and "facilitates the preselection of white employees" for job advancement. Black workers "are required to perform better and be on jobs longer ... before promotional opportunities are made available to them," the lawsuit says. "Ford has a loyal following among black car and light-truck buyers, but it has not treated its African American employees fairly." What ever happened to these plaintiffs?

What I request is that you write a letter of inquiry to Ford MotorCo. regarding its employment practices. The address is : Mr. Alexander J.Trotman, Chairman & CEO, Ford Motor Company, World Headquarters, The American Road, Dearborn, Michigan 48121; Phone (313.322.3000). WWW.FORD.COM

---Paul Gorski (pcg9r@virginia.edu)
Multicultural Pavilion:
http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/multicultural