The Human Rights Commission is pleased to release the decision of Adjudicator Glen Picco upholding the complaint of Jacqueline Mayo of Labrador City against the Iron Ore Company of Canada and the United Steelworkers of America, Local 5795.

Jacqueline Mayo of Labrador City filed a complaint with the commission in May 2000, alleging discrimination in employment on the basis of age. In her complaint, Ms. Mayo stated that she had applied for a position with the Iron Ore Company of Canada under its summer employment program for students. She met the criteria for the position, passed the required medical and was told to report to work on May 3.

Based on the job offer, Ms. Mayo quit her job in St. John�s and returned to Labrador City. Upon her return to Labrador City, Ms. Mayo was advised that her birth date had been overlooked. She was told that because of an agreement between the company and the union, she was considered too old for employment under the student employment program.

Adjudicator Glen Picco heard the complaint in Labrador City on October 23 and 24, 2001. In his decision dated April 15, 2002, Adjudicator Picco found both respondents to be jointly liable to the complainant. He ordered that Ms. Mayo be compensated to a total of $8,862.58. This amount included $5,000 general damages plus lost wages and reimbursement for airfare.

The commission is pleased that the decision confirms an obligation on both the employer and the union to ensure that rights protected by the Human Rights Code are upheld.

Media contact: Gladys Vivian, Human Rights Commission, (709) 729-2709, 1-800-563-5808.

2002 04 24                          2:40 p.m.