A federal court judge has ruled that current and former African-American employees of Boeing Co. can be granted class-action status in their lawsuit accusing the defense giant of discrimination and harassing black workers.
The ruling means about 15,000 African American salaried workers employed by the Chicago-based company from June 6, 1994, to the present can unite under one complaint to seek damages.
The judge ruled the certification doesn’t include workers at companies acquired by Boeing, such as McDonnell Douglas Corp. in St. Louis. However, plaintiffs’ attorneys say they will file a separate complaint in Chicago that would cover workers at former McDonnell Douglas and Rockwell facilities.