News Article

Coke Employees Begin To Mobilize

The Atlanta Constitution

Published: February 29, 2000

ATLANTA -- For the first time since the racial discrimination lawsuit was filed nearly a year ago, black employees at Coca-Cola appear to be mobilizing.

Up until two weeks ago, most African-American employees sat on the sidelines while lawyers battled in court and a few local civil rights leaders expressed support for the suit.

But now, more black employees may be getting involved, primarily because the massive job cuts under way at Coke has changed the dynamics of the situation.

For laid-off African-American employees, the suit and the job cuts have become intertwined, forcing them to make a difficult decision.

On Saturday, an organizer expects hundreds of current and former employees to meet at St. Philip A.M.E. Church in Decatur to discuss what may become a galvanizing issue as the layoffs and lawsuit play out in the ensuing months.

On the upcoming agenda: how to get the company to change its position on a key issue. At the heart of the issue is a release form, or waiver, that all laid-off Coca-Cola employees must sign to get enhanced severance benefits from the company. To qualify for the substantially better benefits package, employees must relinquish their rights to sue the company in the future.

"The Coca-Cola Co. is an unfriendly place to work for black employees," said Larry Jones, who up until two weeks ago was a human resources manager at the company. He is now the chief organizer behind the employee meetings. "Finally, we have an opportunity with this lawsuit to at least get something out of this company," Jones said. "Now comes the realignment and the release. And lo and behold, the Coca-Cola Co. has devised a diabolical scheme that says we're going to get you again. "