On March 2, 2001, plaintiffs filed a complaint against employer Sunoco Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania alleging racial discrimination in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act (42 U.S.C. § 2000e) and the Civil Rights Act of 1866 (42 U.S.C. § 1981). The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, sought damages for opportunities and pay lost due to racial discrimination. Specifically, the plaintiffs contended that Sunoco had consistently discriminated against African-American employees in hiring and promotions.

On July 11, 2003, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Judge Clifford Scott Green) approved certification of a class consisting of all African-American Sunoco employees employed in the Philadelphia area from January 1, 1996 through September 22, 2004.

On December 3, 2004, Judge Green granted final approval to a classwide settlement on behalf of approximately 200 current and former Sonoco employees. Defendant Sunoco agreed to pay $3.53 million to the class members along with additional payments of $230,000 to the six named representatives of the class and a minimum of $2,500 to each class member. Sunoco further agreed to pay $1.5 million in attorney fees.

David Miller - 04/01/2010


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