
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 13, 1990                   TAG: 9004130227
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: associated press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

PUBLIC WORKERS ACCUSE UNION IN BIAS SUIT

Three clerical workers at the nation's second-largest public employee union charged in a federal suit Thursday that the union had discriminated against blacks in its hiring and promotion decisions.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court, alleged that the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees had violated federal civil rights laws by engaging in "deliberate and systematic" employment practices that discriminate against blacks.

Furthermore, the suit alleged, white supervisors harassed and disciplined blacks who complained about discriminatory practices and blacks are confined to lower-level jobs in the organization.

"AFSCME's employment practices are sound and within the law," said Bob Harman, a spokesman for the 1.25-million member union. He declined further comment until attorneys had reviewed the case. About 17 percent of the union's members are black, the union said.

by CNB