Government accuses Whirlpool plant in Tulsa of discrimination in hiring

The US Labor Department is accusing Whirlpool Corporation's Tulsa plant of discrimination in hiring. <br><br>The complaint says Whirlpool discriminated against minority applicants for entry-level

Tuesday, February 11th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The US Labor Department is accusing Whirlpool Corporation's Tulsa plant of discrimination in hiring.

The complaint says Whirlpool discriminated against minority applicants for entry-level jobs in 1997 and 1998. The government wants Whirlpool to offer jobs to the applicants and back pay that could amount to more than $10-million.

A Whirlpool spokesman says the complaint caught the company off guard. He said the company's hiring practices are legal and designed to create the most qualified and diverse workforce.

Whirlpool has about 1,500 employees in Tulsa who assemble gas and electric ranges.