Delta subsidiary pays $100,000 settlement for hiring discrimination

By Kelly Yamanouchi

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Delta Air Lines subsidiary DAL Global Services LLC will pay a total of $100,000 in back pay and interest to 110 people who were discriminated against while applying for jobs as ramp agents in Denver, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

The Labor Department alleged DAL Global Services discriminated against Asian, black, white and female job applicants at Denver International Airport in 2007. The department  learned of the discrimination during a compliance evaluation. DAL Global Services will pay the $100,000 and offer 18 ramp agent jobs to the workers.

In a written statement, a company spokeswoman said, “We take these allegations seriously. We are working with the Department of Labor to correct recordkeeping errors and resolve this matter.”

Melissa Speer, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs' acting regional director of the Southwest and Rocky Mountain region at the Labor Department, said in a written statement that the settlement "should put all federal contractors on notice that the Labor Department is serious about eliminating systemic discrimination."

The Delta subsidiary, which does contract baggage handling, aircraft cleaning, equipment operations and maintenance, ticket agent and gate agent work, fell under the category of federal contractor because of a contract to provide discounted air fare to federal employees.

According to the Labor Department, the company also agreed to immediately correct any discriminatory practices and to ensure its hiring practices comply with the law.