Central Transport Settles $5.5M Gender Discrimination Lawsuit

Key Details Central Transport, LLC agreed to pay $5.5 million to settle a federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lawsuit filed May 15. The settlement addresses allegations that the Michigan-based carrier systematically refused to hire qualified female truck drivers for over a decade across multiple locations nationwide. Why It Matters The agreement compensates four original complainants and a class of other qualified women who applied but were rejected. Investigations revealed Central Transport hired less-qualified male drivers instead, with some terminals hiring zero female drivers despite receiving numerous applications from women. What Changed Central Transport must now allow all affected applicants to reapply without discrimination or retaliation. The company also faces requirements to maintain proper hiring records and implement non-discriminatory recruitment processes moving forward. The Evidence EEOC investigators documented staff discarding female applications at truck terminals and found testimony from a dispatcher instructing employees not to hire women per corporate directive. Discrimination was reported across 12 locations from Arizona to West Virginia. The Message EEOC officials emphasized that qualified female workers deserve equal consideration for trucking positions. Employers must retain all hiring records and understand that sex-based discrimination remains illegal, regardless of industry.