The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has settled its national origin discrimination lawsuit against the successor of U S West Communications, Qwest Communications International Inc., for $400,000.  The EEOC achieved the settlement on behalf of a group of Hispanic employees who the EEOC alleged were denied promotions to management jobs at company's Portland, Oregon, facilities from 1998 through 2001.  The company has denied these allegations.

The company agreed to a two-year consent decree in which it agreed to pay the group $400,000.  Qwest will maintain its annual employment discrimination training and continue to provide training to hiring managers in Portland, Oregon.  It will provide annual reports to the EEOC for the duration of the decree.

"We are committed to fighting discrimination in all its forms and in every jurisdiction. This settlement represents a fair and equitable resolution of the disputed issues in the case," said EEOC San Francisco Regional Attorney William R. Tamayo.

"Employers cannot make promotion decisions that discriminate on the basis of national origin," said EEOC San Francisco District Office Director Joan Ehrlich.  "Employers should not only avoid discrimination, but should find ways to build on the assets diversity brings."

Qwest's Oregon president Judy Peppler said, "Valuing diversity and treating fellow Qwest team members with respect and trust have long been and remain central to our corporate values."