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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A company that makes cabinets agreed to pay $18,000 to a man who said co-workers called him "damn Mexican," "wetback" and other slurs during a 30-year career.
"This is the first time, and certainly the last, that we've ever been involved in this type of a court case. We simply did not have the money to fight it," said Gary Sandberg, president of Granite Mill & Fixture Co. in Salt Lake City.
Ralph Ruiz of West Jordan accused the company of allowing employees to make the comments orally and in writing on the restroom wall. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit in 2004 after settlement talks failed.
Despite the slurs, Ruiz stayed at Granite Mill until 2002 because the pay was excellent, his attorney said.
Granite Mill did not admit guilt but agreed to review its anti-discrimination policies and conduct sensitivity training for employees. U.S. District Court Judge David Sam approved the agreement Dec. 6.
Granite Mill employs about 50 workers and has $5 million to $8 million in annual sales. It makes cabinets and office interiors and provides carpentry services.
------ Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
