Discrimination lawsuit settled for $11 million

CHICAGO — Dozens of current and former employees of a freight hauling company will share in the settlement of a racial discrimination lawsuit.

The $11 million settlement was announced Friday by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of African-Americans working at Yellow Transportation Inc.'s Chicago Ridge facility.

Harry Glasper said he can still remember the day in 1991 when he climbed into the forklift at work and a noose was hanging from the driver's side of the vehicle.

African-Americans also say hangman's nooses, racist graffiti and comments marred the now-closed Chicago Ridge terminal. Glasper said complaints to his boss, who was white, were brushed aside.

Yellow Transportation has been absorbed by YRC Inc. Reached at the Chicago Heights office, a YRC Inc. representative declined comment.