Holdenville applicants to receive back pay for hiring discrimination

HOLDENVILLE, Okla. (AP) -- A Holdenville-based hog farm is agreeing to pay more than $80,000 in back wages to settle allegations of hiring discrimination.<br/><br/>The US Department of Labor announced

Wednesday, September 1st 2004, 5:23 am

By: News On 6

HOLDENVILLE, Okla. (AP) -- A Holdenville-based hog farm is agreeing to pay more than $80,000 in back wages to settle allegations of hiring discrimination.

The US Department of Labor announced Tuesday that The Pork Group agreed to the settlement.

The Labor Department says it found the company rejected more than 200 minority candidates who were qualified to do the job.

As part of the settlement, The Pork Group has hired 15 of the rejected applicants and will hire another five into laborer positions.

The Pork Group is a subsidiary of Tyson Foods Incorporated, which has federal contracts for chicken and pork products. As a federal contractor, the company is required to ensure its workplaces are free of discrimination.