Woodward Governor To Settle Class Action Discrimination Lawsuit for $5 Million

Rockford, IL - A Rockford-based company reaches a $5 million settlement in a federal race and gender class action discrimination lawsuit. Woodward Governor is the number one independent designer and manufacturer of aircraft fuel control systems in the world. It reached a preliminary settlement on Thursday with about 600 of its minority and female employees in its Rockford and Rockton facilities. In a lawsuit filed three years ago, a group of 16 employees alleged Woodward discriminated against women and minorities in regard to pay and advancement opportunities. The complaint states, "For many years Woodward Governor has engaged in a pervasive company-wide pattern and practice of discrimination against African-Americans, Hispanics, and other minorities with respect to compensation, promotions, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment." After years of expensive litigation, all parties, including the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, agreed on the settlement. In addition to the $5 million, theres also a long list of affirmative actions the company will have to take to prevent discrimination in the workplace, such as providing equal employment opportunity training for all employees.