The State - News from July 16, 1985

With the Aug. 31 deadline approaching, claims are starting to trickle in for shares of a $26-million settlement in an employment discrimination suit that was hailed as a landmark decision for working women. The sum was awarded in a suit filed in the 1970s by a Kern County waitress who quit her job when her hours were changed and she was unable to find child care. Claiming that she had good cause to quit, she filed for unemployment benefits, which were denied. She appealed and the state Supreme Court ruled that the state law used to deny her benefits discriminated against women. That law said a person could not receive unemployment benefits unless he or she was the sole or major financial support for the family. The court also ruled that the waitress’ suit could cover anyone, including males, who was denied benefits between August, 1968, and December, 1976. Applications for benefits are available at post offices. The average award is expected to be about $800.