Published: November 03, 2006 11:13 pm         

Lilly spokeswoman: Race discrimination suit without merit

TERRE HAUTE — A spokeswoman for Eli Lilly and Co. says a race discrimination lawsuit filed against the company in April over employment practices is without merit.

Lilly spokeswoman Carla Cox responded to the federal lawsuit Friday in a prepared statement.

“We have taken a full and careful look at the allegations that the four plaintiffs made against the company and believe their lawsuit is without merit. We are preparing to vigorously defend the company against any allegations that lack merit,” she said.

The federal lawsuit, filed April 21, alleges that black employees of Lilly have been victims of unlawful discrimination. It alleges the company paid black employees less than their white peers and passed them over for promotions. It also alleges the company has retaliated against them when they complained of discrimination.

The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

The lawsuit seeks class-action status on behalf of more than 1,000 black employees nationwide who attorneys said might have faced the same kinds of discrimination over the past three years.

It seeks unspecified damages, lost compensation and an order enjoining Lilly against future discrimination.

In her written statement, Cox said “Lilly takes any allegations of unfair treatment very seriously. We are committed to conducting a full investigation of any allegations and responding with appropriate actions based upon the results of those efforts. “Respect and fair treatment of people are the cornerstones of the Lilly corporate culture. We do not tolerate racial discrimination nor do we condone any behavior contrary to our code of ethics.”

The Washington, D.C. law firm of Rose and Rose is representing plaintiffs in the case. Attorney Joshua Rose and one of the plaintiffs, Cassandra Welch, will be in Terre Haute next Wednesday to take statements as part of the lawsuit.

Rose will be at Hyte Community Center, 1101 S. 13th St., from 2 to 6 p.m. to take statements. At 6:30 p.m., he and Welch will conduct a public information session.

The law firm has set up a temporary office in Indianapolis, where Lilly has its corporate offices. The temporary office will be open through Nov. 10.

Welch said she and Rose are coming to Terre Haute because “we have been contacted by a number of individuals from the Clinton facility.” Lilly has a plant in Vermillion County.

During the public information session, Rose will discuss legal aspects of the case, and Welch said she’ll present the civil rights perspective.

Cox said in her statement that “discrimination against any individual or group is inconsistent with our long-held core values and is inconsistent with the way we do business. One goal of our employee policies is that none of our employees ever have reason to believe that they have been treated unfairly.”

On Friday, Welch disagreed with the company’s comment that the lawsuit lacks merit. Lilly had already investigated the plaintiffs’ concerns when they were employed by the company and found no merit to their concerns, she said. “That’s why we have a lawyer. We believe our cases are of merit.”

In addition to the four plaintiffs, “We have witness statements from more than 200 additional African-American employees of Lilly supporting the allegations for the class,” Welch said.

Those involved in the lawsuit “are looking forward to working with Lilly for a win-win situation … It’s our effort to strengthen the company,” Welch said.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.