WORKPLACE HARASSMENT: Mercury Air to Pay $600,000 to Settle Harassment Case

August 9, 2010

Los Angeles - US aircraft services provider, Mercury Air Center has agreed to pay $600,000 to settle a 2008 federal case, which alleges that the company failed to investigate racial and sexual harassment complaint filed by seven employees.

Court records showed that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed the case against Bob Hope Airport’s Mercury air after one Filipino and six Hispanic workers complained that a Salvadoran co-worker made sexually and racially offensive comments against them.

The federal case deals mainly with sexual and racial harassment, which is a major violation Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The victims also alleged that the aircraft services provider did not address the problem.

Reports said the company became a part of Atlantic services when it was sold after the case was filed.

EEOC further stated that the settlement money will be given to the seven workers and other class members. In addition, Atlantic Services has also agreed to a two-year consent decree, which calls for the appointment of a compliance officer.