Barge Workers Awarded $1.2M

THE DAILY FED

Barge Workers Awarded $1.2M

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers settled a race discrimination case earlier this month by awarding $1.2 million to 16 African American Mississippi River barge workers.

The Associated Press reported that the workers, many of whom have worked on the dredge Hurley for years, will each get around $62,500 and will be offered full-time positions. The men work seasonal jobs on the dredge, which means they don't have jobs during the cold months. Only whites have been promoted from seasonal to permanent jobs in the 64 years dredges have been used on the Mississippi.

The Corps did not admit to discrimination under the settlement.

The men's attorney said the money is less important to the men than the respect the settlement gives them.