Ex-Goodyear workers appeal dismissal of age discrimination case

CLEVELAND (Jan. 21)—Fourteen former workers in Goodyear's finance department are appealing a Cleveland federal district court's dismissal of their age discrimination case against the tire maker. "The essential question here is does the Age Discrimination in Employment Act require intent to discriminate, or can you show discrimination by showing the results of company policies?" said John L. Wolfe, the Akron attorney representing the workers. All 14 were terminated Nov. 30, 1999, through Goodyear policies the company said were designed to streamline the financial department, but in the plaintiffs' opinion resulted in disproportionate layoffs among workers over 40. This case is separate from a suit filed by 11 former Goodyear finance workers in Summit County Common Pleas Court, but it covers the same issues, Wolfe said.