Labor Department: Cargill Discriminated

Cargill Disputes Claim

Signs are displayed at the Cargill turkey processing plant in Springdale, Ark., Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011.
Signs are displayed at the Cargill turkey processing plant in Springdale, Ark., Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011.

3:07 p.m. update Cargill spokesman Michael Martin said the company disputes the allegations and is carefully assessing how to procede. He said the local plant employment is diverse and 84 percent minority.

12:51 p.m. update The U.S. Labor Department accused Cargill Meat Solutions of hiring discrimination in its Springdale turkey processing plant, according to a new release.

The case claims Asian and Pacific Islanders were unfairly favored over qualified women, white, black and Hispanic job applicants.

The government also seeks to cancel a $550 million contract between Cargill and the Defense Department because of hiring infractions.

The suit was filed after the Labor Department and Cargill were not able to reach a fair resolution to pay back wages and offer extend job offers to a minimum 167 affected workers.

Cargill employs roughly 1,100 people at its turkey processing facility in Springdale.

Look for more information in tomorrow's papers or on NWAonline.

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