RAVENSWOOD PLANT PAYS PRE-TRIAL SETTLEMENT OVER EMPLOYEE EAVESDROPPING

(04/06/2006)

A Ravenswood aluminum plant accused of illegally monitoring employee conversations through microphones, reached a settlement yesterday with 17 current and former workers. The workers reached separate financial agreements before the jury could begin deliberations in Jackson County. The lawsuits were first filed in 2003 against Pechiney Rolled Products of Ravenswood, which now operates as Alcan Rolled Products-Ravenswood. Workers accused the company of installing audio surveillance equipment in various parts of the facility and secretly monitored employee conversations for at least three years. The terms of the settlement are not being released. Each plaintiff had sought at least $100 in damages for every day their conversations were monitored, and five million dollars in punitive damages. Company officials denied they monitored employee conversations and did not admit any wrongdoing in agreeing to the settlement.

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