By Molly Parker
mparker@scbiznews.com
Published Aug. 19, 2009

Nucor Steel Berkeley defended its plant against racial discrimination claims, saying in a statement Tuesday that Nucor had become “a target for plaintiff’s attorneys eager to score an economic victory” against a successful enterprise.

Giff Daughtridge, the vice president and general manager of Nucor Corp.’s Huger operation, issued the statement in response to an appeals court decision approving class action status in a discrimination lawsuit against the company.

That decision overturned a previous ruling by the U.S. District Court in Charleston that denied class status in a lawsuit seven black employees originally brought against the company in 2003.

“We at Nucor strive to keep all of our employees satisfied, successful and proud to be part of the Nucor team without regard to race, gender, national origin, religion or any other protected category,” Daughtridge said in the statement. “Unfortunately, as with any successful company, Nucor has become a target for plaintiff’s attorneys eager to score an economic victory based upon unsupported, baseless allegations.”

In their lawsuit, the seven black employees — three of whom are still employed at the plant — allege discriminatory hiring practices and a plantwide atmosphere of racial discrimination that was allowed to fester.

Those employees, along with the plaintiff’s attorneys, lauded the appeals court decision during a news conference Tuesday at the International Longshoremen’s Association Hall on Morrison Drive.

Related story
Class action status approved in discrimination suit

Related documents
Lawsuit filed in 2008
Nucor Steel’s response to lawsuit
Appeal’s court’s decision on approving class action status
Nucor Steel’s press release on court’s decision and lawsuit