Pipeline Worker Files Racial Discrimination Lawsuit in North Dakota

A black man who helped build the TransCanada Keystone oil pipeline that passes through eastern North Dakota is suing his former employer in federal court, alleging that he faced racial discrimination at a job site at Mekinock.

Cook County, Ill., resident Charles Adams says he was subjected to racist remarks and jokes and had a noose thrown at him when he worked for Henkels & McCoy Inc. in the summer of 2008 in northeastern North Dakota.

The Pennsylvania-based corporation denies the allegations and is asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit.

Adams is seeking more than $75,000 in damages. A five-day jury trial is scheduled to start March 22, 2011, in Grand Forks or Fargo.

The Keystone pipeline runs 218 miles through North Dakota on its way from Alberta, Canada, to Illinois and Oklahoma. It is to carry about 435,000 barrels of heavy crude oil daily.

Information from: Grand Forks Herald, http://www.grandforksherald.com