Mitsubishi Plant Workers File Race Bias Suit

Nine black employees at Mitsubishi’s car assembly plant in Normal, Ill., have filed a racial discrimination lawsuit alleging they were unfairly denied raises, promotions and job training. The federal suit also says that the employees were subjected to racial slurs and that black employees were often given the least desirable assignments at the plant, which was the subject of a widely publicized sex discrimination complaint four years ago. The suit says company officials at the Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America plant refused to take action despite repeated complaints filed with the United Auto Workers. The suit, seeking an unspecified dollar amount, lists nine employees but was filed on behalf of all black employees who have worked there during the last two years. A company spokeswoman said she has not seen the lawsuit and declined to comment on it. She said discrimination of any kind is not tolerated at the plant.