U.S. Department of Labor issued the following announcement on April 13.
The U.S. Department of Labor and Valero Refinery Company – a global manufacturer of transportation fuels and petrochemical products in Norco, Louisiana – have entered into a conciliation agreement to resolve allegations of hiring discrimination.
After a routine Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) compliance evaluation, the Valero Refinery Company has agreed to pay $362,500 in back wages and interest as part of a conciliation agreement with the department to resolve allegations of hiring discrimination at Valero’s facility in Norco. OFCCP found that, beginning in 2014, the company systemically discriminated against Black, Hispanic, Asian and Native American Operator Trainee applicants. OFCCP determined that the company’s actions violated Executive Order 11246, which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color or national origin.
In addition to the $362,500, in back pay and interest, Valero Refinery Company will provide up to seven Operator Trainee job opportunities to Black, Hispanic, Asian and Native American applicants as positions become available. Valero will also take steps to ensure its personnel practices, including recordkeeping and internal auditing procedures, meet legal requirements.
“The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to resolving discrimination issues by working with employers and employees,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs’ Southwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Director, Melissa Speer, in Dallas, Texas. “Valero Refinery Company has agreed to implement changes to its hiring process to comply with federal hiring and equal employment opportunity laws.”
Valero Refinery Company has recently entered into a contract valued at more than $260 million with the Defense Logistics Agency for turbine fuel.
Original source can be found here.