Wonder Bread Told to Pay $120M in Bias Suit

S A N   F R A N C I S C O, Aug. 3 -- The nation’s largest wholesale baker wasordered to pay $120 million in punitive damages toblack workers who said they suffered racial discrimination at aWonder Bread plant.

Wednesday’s damage award came two days after a jury ordered InterstateBakeries Corp., the Kansas City, Mo.-based company that producesWonder Bread, Twinkies, Home Pride and Hostess Cupcakes, to pay $11million to 21 workers at the San Francisco plant.

The plaintiffs stood up and applauded after the award wasannounced in San Francisco Superior Court. “Thank you, Jesus!”one exclaimed. Others hugged the jurors.

“I’m numb. This is definitely way beyond my wildestimagination,” said Charles Wright, 52, a former deliveryman whose share of the actual damages awarded Monday was $700,000.

Appeals PromisedLawyers for the company said they would appeal the decisions ofthe jury, which spent nine days deliberating after two months oftestimony about racial slurs and other indignities suffered at thehands of co-workers.

Theodis Carroll Jr., 34, a former machine operator awarded$155,000 in actual damages, testified that co-workers called him“boy” as well as common racial epithet.

Wright said white workers were allowed to take days off to seethe San Francisco Giants, but “when I asked for Martin Luther KingDay off, I was denied.”

Howard Jones Jr., a former route salesman, was awarded $1million. He was put on light duty after being hit by a drunkendriver, but the company demanded that he sweep the parking lot, hesaid.

“I refused. I was treated like I was at the bottom,” he said.

The jury found that the company acted with malice and oppressiontoward 17 of the 21 plaintiffs; these men and women will share thepunitive award. All 21 share in the actual damages awarded Monday.

The bakery also said it would ask the judge to reduce thedamages awarded because some of the allegations, which date backmore than 30 years, occurred when Ralston Purina owned the plant.