For Immediate Release

EEOC KICKS OFF NEW ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM WHICH OFFERS FREE SERVICES TO AGGRIEVED PARTIES 

(ANNAPOLIS, MD -- February 18, 1999) Monday, February 22, 1999 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., at the Hilton in Columbia, Maryland, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) Baltimore District Office will host a "A Call For Action," a kick-off event to announce and inaugurate a new alternative dispute resolution ("ADR") program offering free mediation services to settle employment disputes. Court of Appeals Chief Judge Robert Bell, who chairs Maryland's ADR Commission and is a staunch proponent of providing alternatives to litigation when appropriate, will speak at the event.

According to Marie Sciscione, ADR Program Coordinator for Baltimore's EEOC District Office, when appropriate, individuals who have filed a charge with the EEOC alleging discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age or disability, and employers who have had such a complaint filed against it, may utilize this free, federally-funded program. Both the Johns Hopkins Health System and Giant Food have agreed to have all of their EEOC-related cases considered for mediation through this program.

Chief Judge Bell said that this event represents "a major step toward advancing the appropriate use of mediation in sensitive employment disputes. In many cases, bringing parties together for a mediated session about their concerns, interests and needs can create more satisfactory and long-lasting resolutions than can be expected through litigation or other adversarial processes."

Chief Judge Bell also commented on other efforts in Maryland, indicating that he established the ADR Commission last year to develop and implement a strategy for better handling disputes in Maryland's courts, communities, schools, businesses, prisons, government agencies, and other areas. "There's a real momentum building in the ADR arena, and the ADR Commission's work is designed to move Maryland to the forefront."

Sciscione says that this is the first time that the EEOC has offered alternatives to full investigations in employment discrimination cases. While the agency has achieved great success with limited mediation services utilizing pro bono assistance, it now has the funding to staff a formal program, and to urge participation by both the business community and the public. Congress has allotted $13 million for such programs nationwide, and over 50 local EEOC offices will be hosting similar kick-offs this week. 

Sciscione stressed the importance of ADR, not only to help expeditiously manage caseloads for EEOC offices, but especially, to give people a way to participate in the resolution of their cases without resorting to adversarial litigation. "A lot of fences get mended with mediation," said Sciscione. 

For more information or directions to the event, please contact Marie Sciscione at (410) 962-6606, or the ADR Commission at (410) 321-2398.