Distributed by Dovetail Solutions, AOR

, /PRNewswire/ -- Western Distributing Transportation Corp., a Denver-based and family-owned trucking company with more than 70 years of service, announced that it has entered into an agreement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to bring to a close years of ongoing litigation.

The agreement follows a significant legal victory for Western in 2023, when a federal jury resoundingly rejected the EEOC's central claims of systemic disability discrimination. The EEOC had challenged key safety practices, including Western's physical demands testing, which ensures that drivers can perform the physical tasks required to safely operate commercial vehicles, and the requirement that drivers be able to install snow chains during winter conditions.

After a nearly month-long trial, the jury found no evidence of a pattern or practice of discrimination, did not identify a single individual (among the more than 50 represented by the EEOC) who experienced unlawful treatment and awarded zero damages, explicitly rejecting the EEOC's claim for punitive damages. The jury rejected also almost all of EEOC's claims of disparate impact – legal claims that a recent Executive Order has found to be so fundamentally flawed that they "imperil the effectiveness of civil rights laws by mandating, rather than proscribing, discrimination." The Executive Order directed the EEOC to stop asserting such claims. 

Despite this decisive ruling, the EEOC opted to continue pursuing dozens of individual claims in separate proceedings, a process that could have gone on for years and placed significant financial strain on the company.

To avoid the legal costs of continued litigation, Western agreed to a limited agreement to bring finality to the matter and allow the company to focus on its operations and employees. From the outset, this has been a classic David vs. Goliath battle, with Western facing an opponent – the EEOC – armed with virtually unlimited financial resources and an indefinite timeline that Western simply couldn't match. 

"We are happy to put this chapter behind us and move forward – and we are just as dedicated as ever before to doing the right thing as we always have," said Vieri Gaines, CEO of Western Distributing. 

Western continues to deny liability on all claims and stands by its strong safety protocols and commitment to fair, lawful employment practices. The company remains fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and strictly follows or exceeds all safety standards required by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to ensure the safety of not only its drivers but also anyone else driving on the interstate highways.

About Western Distributing Transportation Corp.
Western Distributing is a family-owned and operated, for-hire truckline and towing carrier serving all 48 contiguous states. Founded in 1933, Western has built its legacy on a deep commitment to customer service and quality transportation solutions. While trucking has always been a part of the company's operations, its long-haul division was formally established in 1977 to better serve nationwide freight demands. Today, Western operates with a modern fleet of company-owned, employee-driven equipment and proudly retains some of the most skilled drivers and staff in the industry. Western Distributing continues to set the standard in reliability, performance and customer satisfaction.

Media Contact:
Andy Boian, dovetail solutions, for Western Distributing
415.404.2539 | [email protected]

SOURCE Dovetail Solutions Inc.