U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center

Almost 10 years ago, 217 black employees of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) filed a class action equal opportunities lawsuit claiming the agency (known then as Waterways Experiment Station) discriminated against minorities in hiring and promotion practices because of their race. The lawsuit claimed the discrimination took place from Jan. 15, 1997, to Feb. 25, 2005. A settlement has been reached for ERDC to pay $400,000 and the group, made up of current and former employees, should receive about $1,230 each. (Jun-20-06) [VICKSBURG POST]