A South Jersey mechanical contracting company has agreed to
pay a total of $400,000 to resolve allegations that it violated state law by
failing to employ female plumbers, including for public-funded projects, the
state Attorney General's Office and the Division on Civil Rights announced
Monday.
The settlement calls for Falasca Mechanical Inc. of Vineland
to pay the state $250,000 and pay plumber Bette Feldeisen $150,000 to resolve
allegations that it repeatedly hired less experienced and less qualified male
plumbers while handling millions of dollars in public works jobs.
Under the same settlement, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local
Union No. 322 has agreed to join Falasca in an effort to increase female
recruitment into the union. The local has also agreed to increase training and
employment opportunities for female plumbers during the next three
apprenticeship cycles. Falasca staffs its projects by requesting workers from
the union.
"This case should serve as a reminder to other
contractors, particularly those who are classified by our Department of
Treasury as eligible to compete for public works projects: We are serious about
equal opportunity in hiring, and will take action against any employer who
fails to follow the law in this area," said Acting Attorney General John
J. Hoffman.
Feldeisen, a journeyman plumber, had been employed by
Falasca but was laid off for economic reasons in 2009. She alleged that she was
repeatedly passed over when Falasca was subsequently hired for private and
public projects, according to a spokesmen for the Attorney General's Office and
the Division on Civil Rights.
One of the private projects Falasca was hired for was the
2009 construction of a new Virtua Hospital facility in Voorhees that required
work on medical gas systems. Despite her 13 years of experience and her
certification in medical gas installation, Feldeisen alleged, she was passed
over by Falasca and the union for less experienced male plumbers, some of whom
were not certified in medical gas installation, the spokesman said.
In addition, the state investigation found Falasca failed to
hire a single female plumber while handling 29 public works contacts that yield
the company $93 million in revenue, the spokesman said.
By the terms of its agreement with the state, Falasca made
no admission of wrongdoing or liability.
Attempts to reach Feldeisen were not successful. Her last
known residence was in Galloway.
Source: Philly.com
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