Some Ex-workers Object To Kodak Settlement Offer

BEN DOBBIN

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — A group of former Eastman Kodak Co. workers objected Friday to a proposed $21.4 million deal to settle two lawsuits by black employees who maintain they were paid and promoted less than white counterparts.

"We've all been mistreated in some way. ... I was just hoping the settlement would be better," said Ora Patterson, 55, who worked assembly-line jobs at the photography products company for 32 years until 2005.

While admitting no wrongdoing, Kodak proposed in July paying about 3,000 current and past workers settlement amounts ranging from $1,000 to $75,000. If approved, the deal would end a 2004 class-action lawsuit and a similar lawsuit filed by other black workers in 2007.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Feldman heard arguments in favor of the deal from Kodak and lawyers for the plaintiffs. He then fielded complaints from more than a dozen former employees who said that payouts were inadequate, lawyer fees too high and the deal unfairly excluded workers who left Kodak before 1999.

A second hearing will be held Nov. 5 before Feldman issues a written decision on whether to accept or reject Kodak's settlement offer.