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Verizon Mails Notices to Class Members In Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement
Verizon has started to send notices to thousands of women who may be eligible for additional benefits under a settlement reached in a class-action pregnancy discrimination lawsuit filed by CWA, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other plaintiffs.
A New York federal judge gave preliminary approval to the settlement in February, with final approval pending a fairness hearing Sept. 13. Potential class members will only be able to receive benefits if completed claim forms and other documents are postmarked by July 10, 2002.
Settlement benefits include service credit adjustments and other related relief. Mary O’Melveny, CWA special litigation counsel, said to be covered by the settlement a woman must meet both of the following criteria: (1) Worked for a former NYNEX or Bell Atlantic (now Verizon) company between Jan. 6, 1994 and April 26, 2002 and (2) took a pregnancy-related leave between July 2, 1965 and April 29, 1979 from an AT&T Bell System company, or took a leave to care for a newborn child between July 2, 1965 and Dec. 31, 1993.
Anyone who needs assistance in filing claims or has questions about the settlement and how it will be applied may call a toll-free hotline at (800) 570-4577.
Phone calls will be answered between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday.
A New York federal judge gave preliminary approval to the settlement in February, with final approval pending a fairness hearing Sept. 13. Potential class members will only be able to receive benefits if completed claim forms and other documents are postmarked by July 10, 2002.
Settlement benefits include service credit adjustments and other related relief. Mary O’Melveny, CWA special litigation counsel, said to be covered by the settlement a woman must meet both of the following criteria: (1) Worked for a former NYNEX or Bell Atlantic (now Verizon) company between Jan. 6, 1994 and April 26, 2002 and (2) took a pregnancy-related leave between July 2, 1965 and April 29, 1979 from an AT&T Bell System company, or took a leave to care for a newborn child between July 2, 1965 and Dec. 31, 1993.
Anyone who needs assistance in filing claims or has questions about the settlement and how it will be applied may call a toll-free hotline at (800) 570-4577.
Phone calls will be answered between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday.