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CNN Live At Daybreak

Cochran Represents Georgia Power Employees

Aired February 27, 2002 - 06:13   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Four African-Americans have Attorney Johnnie Cochran arguing their case of alleged racial harassment at the Georgia Power Company. The utility says there has been no harassment at its plants.

CNN's Brian Cabell lays out the case for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHNNIE COCHRAN, PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY: Jokes that we saw two years ago are still...

BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Racist jokes posted on a Georgia Power Company bulletin board. Hangman's nooses also strewn about the workplace. That's what Lawyer Johnnie Cochran claims.

COCHRAN: ... that this is not funny. Nooses aren't funny. Racist jokes aren't funny. And we're not going to tolerate it or have it.

CABELL: Cochran is co-counsel for four African-American subcontractors at Georgia Power, who say they were subjected to harassment when they worked at the utility last month.

EMANUEL HARRIS, PLAINTIFF: And they need to get rid of some people, because I feel hurt that they didn't, for number one. We talked some, and we talked some, and they didn't get rid of anybody.

CABELL: The four say they were fired after complaining about the harassment. A company spokesperson said the terminations had nothing to do with race.

LOLITA BROWNING, GEORGIA POWER COMPANY: The same day they were fired, three white male employees were fired for being tardy. Those four individuals were fired for being absent excessively and for being late excessively.

BRIAN CABELL (on camera): This isn't the first such lawsuit against Georgia Power. Two years ago, Johnnie Cochran and his associates sued the utility, and its parent company, on behalf of African-American employees, as opposed to subcontractors. The charge: Racial harassment and discrimination in pay and promotions. (voice-over): The suit sought class action status, but so far has been denied. The company suggests the second suit is a way to pressure a settlement in the first. But that suit brought its own PR troubles for the company, when executives were deposed. Bill Dahlberg claimed initially he did not find hangman's nooses offensive.

BILL DAHLBERG, CEO, SOUTHERN COMPANY: I would have to say that when I read that, I had no idea whatsoever that that was a racial symbol (ph). It just never entered my mind. It never occurred to me.

CABELL: Of a leaflet put in employees' mailboxes, portraying Klansmen singing, "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas," Dahlberg, again, testified he found little problem with it.

DAHLBERG: ... it appears to make fun of the Klan. And I would think our employees -- most employees -- would find some humor in that whether they're black or white.

CABELL: The plaintiffs say racism pervades the utility.

CORNELIUS COOPER, GEORGIA POWER EMPLOYEE: Over the years, you know, especially men -- black men -- you get the feeling that you're not a man.

CABELL: Georgia Power claims it's offering rewards for help in identifying those circulating the racist materials, and now requires employees to take diversity training.

Brian Cabell, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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