McDermott, CBI Accused of Classwide Bias Against Black Workers

McDermott International Inc. and subsidiary Chicago Bridge & Iron LLC are accused in a new class lawsuit of discriminating against black workers when conducting layoffs and rehiring at a Louisiana facility.

Louis Smith filed the suit Sept. 14 on behalf of himself and similarly situated black employees who lost their jobs at the Walker, La., facility as a result of the 2016 workforce reduction. One hundred jobs were cut due to an alleged work shortage, and 60 percent of the laid-off workers were black, Smith says.

When CBI later started rehiring, “the vast majority of those re-hired were White even ...