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Ford and EEOC Announce Conciliation Agreement in Chicago

7 September 1999

Ford Motor Company and EEOC Announce Conciliation Agreement in Chicago

    CHICAGO, Sept. 7 -- Ford Motor Company and the U.S.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced the signing today of
a voluntary conciliation agreement regarding charges of sexual and racial
harassment at the company's two Chicago area plants.
    "We view this agreement as a positive step forward in resolving these
issues in partnership with the EEOC," said James J. Padilla, Ford group vice
president, Manufacturing.  "This agreement further strengthens Ford's long
standing policy of zero tolerance and will help move us toward our goal of
zero occurrence of harassment of any kind in our facilities."
    The voluntary agreement covers women who worked at the Chicago Assembly
Plant or Chicago Stamping Plant from 1996 to today and includes several
elements, among them are:
    *  A $7.5 million fund is established to be distributed to individuals in
any cases where it is proven that harassment has taken place in the workplace.
The amount was determined in consultation with the EEOC and any unused funds
will be donated to charity.
    *  A three-person monitoring panel is established that will be responsible
for administering certain parts of the agreement in the Chicago plants.
    *  A number of additional policies, procedures and training will be
implemented aimed at achieving a zero tolerance environment and to resolve
internal complaints.
    As part of the agreement, the company and the EEOC agreed to expand
training programs on diversity sensitivity in 11 other Ford stamping and
assembly facilities in the United States.  In addition,  the company will
voluntarily roll out the additional training to all of its U.S. facilities.
    "Our goal and the goal of the EEOC is the same -- the prevention and
elimination of harassment of any kind in the workplace," Padilla said.  "This
voluntary agreement has to do with treating every one of our people with the
dignity and respect they deserve."
    The company has already implemented a number of actions and programs in
the workplace in support of its zero tolerance policy including a toll-free
hotline for employees who wish to anonymously report incidents of harassment,
local diversity councils at all facilities and anti-graffiti programs at both
Chicago plants.
    The Chicago Assembly Plant is located in Chicago and employs 2,535 people.
The Chicago Stamping plant is located in Chicago Heights and employs 1,975
people.