Time Warner Settles Labor Department Suit

Time Warner Inc. said it has settled its pending lawsuit involving its publishing unit Time Inc. with the Labor Department for $5.5 million. The suit, which was filed in October 1998, claimed that the media giant illegally denied full-time workers pensions and health benefits by classifying them as temporary workers or contractors. The company said the settlement is not an admission of any liability or wrongdoing by Time Warner or Time. As part of the settlement, certain temporary workers and independent contractors who provided services for Time Inc. from 1992 to 1997 and who complete appropriate documentation outlined in the settlement will receive an undisclosed amount in proceeds as part of the settlement.