OTHER NEWS - June 6, 1995

Gun Maker Settles Bias Complaint: Smith & Wesson Corp. has settled a federal discrimination complaint by agreeing to pay up to $450,000 to 1,600 women it allegedly refused to hire, the U.S. Labor Department said. The Labor Department had filed a complaint alleging the gun maker broke federal contracting rules in barring women from two entry-level factory positions between 1985 and 1987. Even though 1,600 women applied for these positions, only men were hired for the jobs, said a Labor Department spokesman. Smith & Wesson, based in Springfield, Mass., said it admitted no wrongdoing in reaching the settlement. Federal officials said the company has since hired women and now complies with rules on gender discrimination.