Washington, DC, June 17, 2005
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and United Airlines announced today that they have reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought on behalf of Assem Bayaa and ADC, charging that the airline discriminated against Bayaa by removing him from a flight. United Airlines disputes Bayaa‘s and ADC‘s allegations. All parties agree that settlement of this claim is in the best interest of all.
United Airlines has previously worked, per a settlement agreement reached with the United States‘ Department of Transportation (DOT) on a similar subject, to develop and administer comprehensive training to its employees on the topic of Equal Treatment of Customers. The DOT order required United Airlines to provide annual civil rights training to its employees for three years at a cost of at least $1.5 million. The ADC Research Institute (ADRI) and ADC‘s Law Enforcement Outreach Program have provided assistance in developing and reviewing the content for United Airlines‘ training.
ADC did not enter into this litigation lightly, and did so only after extensive consultations. ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said, “The purpose of the lawsuit was ensure that no one else is ever again subjected to this form of discrimination, and to defend the core American values of equality under the law and nondiscrimination. Furthermore, ADC believes that the United Airlines‘ training program is an essential step in raising awareness. We understand that United Airlines is committed to providing service without discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, race, religion, or national origin.”
Please see below for ACLU Press Release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2005
LOS ANGELES–The American Civil Liberties Union and United Airlines announced today that they have reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought on behalf of Assem Bayaa and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), charging that the airline discriminated against Bayaa by removing him from a flight. While United disputes Bayaa‘s and ADC‘s allegations, the parties agree that settlement of this claim is in the best interest of all.
United has previously worked, per a settlement agreement reached with the United States‘ Department of Transportation on a similar subject, to develop and administer comprehensive training to its employees on the topic of Equal Treatment of Customers. ADC and its affiliated organizations, ADC Research Institute and the ADC Law Enforcement Outreach Program, assisted United in developing the content for the training. The American Civil Liberties Union applauds United for the message it is sending its employees on this important topic through the Training and has recommended to its clients, Bayaa and the ADC, to resolve this case in recognition of United‘s industry leading efforts in this regard.
United is committed to providing service without discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, race, religion or national origin.