May 29 (Reuters) – Two dozen black pilots alleged in a lawsuit on Tuesday that United Continental Holdings, the parent of United Airlines, passed them over for management promotions because of race.

The world’s biggest carrier denied the allegations and said it would fight them in court.

The veteran aviators alleged a long history of discriminatory behavior across multiple U.S. states. Their suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco.

“The struggle for inclusion at United Airlines is a long-standing issue that many have tried to address over a long period of time,” Captain Leon Miller, a plaintiff, said in a statement.

Most of those involved in the suit worked for pre-merger United. The complaint specifically addresses promotion issues dating to 2009.

Additionally, nearly half of the plaintiffs were part of a 2010 federal equal employment racial discrimination case against United, and are claiming the carrier has punished them by withholding promotions and special assignments.

United said in a statement that it does not tolerate harassment or discrimination.

“We believe this lawsuit is without merit and will vigorously defend ourselves,” the airline said.

It’s not a coincidence that is there a growing number of racial discrimination lawsuits in high status, higher paying industries such as Hollywood, healthcare, advertising and now, the airline industry. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 hasn’t been amended since 1991. Maybe it’s time to strengthen the statute and incorporate a structural theory of disparate treatment into the law by taking into account the role an employer’s institutional practices, organizational structure and resulting discriminatory work culture plays in creating a disparate impact against African Americans and persons of color in the workplace…

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/29/united-airlines-pilots-discrimination-_n_1554643.html?ref=black-voices&ir=Black%20Voices