DENVER - Teamsters Local Union No. 455, which has locations in Denver and Fort Morgan, Colo., has agreed to pay $153,000 to resolve discrimination complaints investigated by the Denver Field Office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.

The EEOC's investigation found reasonable cause to believe that Local 455 denied its members, who worked at the Cargill Meat Solutions plant in Fort Morgan, fair union representation for failing to advocate for them, and subjecting them to retaliation and a hostile work environment because of their race, national origin and Muslim religion, all in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Local 455 disputed the findings. The parties then agreed to engage in the conciliation process and have reached a resolution.

The conciliation includes monetary relief for the aggrieved individuals, and Local 455 also agreed to mandatory Title VII, grievance filing and handling training for the Fort Morgan business agent, assistant business agents and stewards. Additionally, Local 455 will post details about the EEOC's findings that explain employee rights under Title VII to be free from discrimination based on the race, national origin, and retaliation, and will make all pertinent records available to the EEOC for inspection during the three-year agreement.

"In its capacity as a bargaining representative for its members, labor unions have an obligation to represent their members regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability," said Elizabeth Cadle, district director for the Phoenix District. "We thank Local 455 and the charging parties for working with the EEOC to reach this positive conciliation on these important issues."