On January 9, 2007, a female African-American employee of defendant filed a suit on her own behalf against defendant Steelcase, Inc. under the provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq. ("Title VII") and 42 U.S.C. § 1981in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Northeastern Division. Thereafter, plaintiff filed a Motion for Leave to File a First Amended Complaint on January 24, 2008, adding class allegations. Plaintiff, represented by private counsel, asked the court for declaratory and injunctive relief, and compensatory and punitive damages, claiming that defendant demoted her because of her race or her sex, and defendant has engaged in a pattern and practice of discriminating against African-Americans on the basis of their race with respect to promotions.

On October 6, 2008, the Court certified a class consisting of black Americans employed by defendant who, between January 5, 2005, to the present

were/are employed by Steelcase, Incorporated in Production Technician positions and who were qualified but not selected for vacancies in permanent positions of Quality Specialists and Quality Control Technicians, Zone Leaders and Temporary Supervisors, and Production Specialists.

On November 26, 2008, the parties filed a Joint Motion for Preliminary Approval of a Class Action Settlement. On December 10, 2008, the Court (Judge U.W. Clemon) issued an Order approving the proposed settlement.

The Class Settlement Agreement provided declaratory and injunctive relief, implementation of a new selection process for higher level employees, monitoring, reporting. and training requirements, monetary relief for the named plaintiff and class members, a promotion for the named plaintiff, and attorney's fees and costs.

On January 28, 2009, the court dismissed the case.

Kunyi Zhang - 06/06/2010


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