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Judge Certifies Class in Sexual Harassment Case Against Ford

20 October 1999

Judge Certifies Class in Sexual Harassment Case Against Ford Motor Company

    NEW YORK, Oct. 19 -- In an opinion handed down on Friday,
October 15, 1999, U.S. District Judge Elaine E. Bucklo certified a class
action based on allegations of sexual harassment and sex discrimination
against Ford Motor Company .  The court rejected Ford's claim that
its recent settlement with the EEOC should prevent the case from proceeding as
a class action.  Calling the EEOC's conduct "disappointing," the court found
that the EEOC Conciliation Agreement lacks meaningful "bite."
    The certified class includes approximately 850 women employed at Ford's
Stamping and Assembly plants from December 2, 1993 to present.
    The action arises out of two separate cases: Warnell et al. v. Ford, filed
in March, 1998 and Rapier et. al. v. Ford filed in August, 1998.  The cases
have now been consolidated.  The suits, brought by 14 women, allege a pattern
and practice of sexual harassment and discrimination at the Chicago Assembly
Plant and the Ford Stamping Plant over the course of many years.  The
harassment took the form of sexually explicit and derogatory graffiti in
public areas of the plants, demeaning comments made to and about women and
minorities and inappropriate physical contact.  The plaintiffs claim to have
"been subjected to unwanted or unwelcome sexual advances, touching, comments
of a sexual nature,  lurid, foul and offensive language and name calling.
    The Warnell plaintiffs are represented by Keith L. Hunt and Katherine A.
Rodosky of Hunt & Associates, P.C., in Chicago.  The Rapier plaintiffs are
represented by Daniel L. Berger and Darnley D. Stewart of Bernstein, Litowitz,
Berger & Grossmann in New York, and Vanessa L. Smith in Chicago.
    Several of the plaintiffs and their counsel will be available to answer
any questions at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 19, 1999.