Norfolk Southern Corp. will pay nearly $500,000 in back pay and interest to more than 2,000 African Americans to settle allegations of race-based hiring discrimination, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Tuesday.
Under terms of the agreement, the Norfolk-based railroad, which has not admitted liability, will pay $492,000 to 2,086 African Americans who applied for track-laborer and building-and-bridge laborer positions at a Roanoke-based facility from Jan. 1, 2010, through Dec. 31, 2011, according to a department statement.
It also will offer jobs to seven of the non-selected applicants.
Those affected by the agreement “are eligible to receive a distribution of at least $235.00 less lawful payroll deductions,” a notice to class members states.
