News Article

Coca-Cola Task Force Named: Oversight Body Composed of Business, Non-Profit, Governmental and Academic Leaders

Coca-Cola Company Press Release

Published: July 02, 2001

U.S. District Judge Richard Story empanelled the task force responsible for overseeing Coca-Cola's settlement of a class-action discrimination case, telling the seven members they are an arm of the court.

"You do not represent the Coca-Cola Co. You do not represent any Coca-Cola employee," Story told the independent watchdog group Tuesday as members sat in the first row of a jury box at the Atlanta federal courthouse. "You represent the court. "

Story went on to tell the group that any recommendations it makes to change personnel practices at Coke "shall be implemented, unless I rule otherwise. …

Your work is going to touch every aspect of human resources at Coca-Cola. "

The group was formed as part of a record $192.5 million settlement of the employment discrimination suit. The task force, chaired by former U.S. Labor Secretary Alexis Herman, is charged with reviewing pay, promotion and performance evaluation practices at Coke and recommending improvements. The suit alleged that Coke discriminated against African-American employees in those matters.

"The goal in this process is that you remove race as a factor in all of these issues," Story told the task force. "We want a level playing field. "

After the hearing, Herman said the task force now plans to spend two days at Coke, becoming familiar with the settlement terms and how the Atlanta-based soft drink giant operates its complex business.