Business: What the Weber Ruling Does

The Supreme Court backs job-preference programs for minorities

The question had long been unresolved, though it had deep implications for both employers and workers, as well as for U.S. society at large: Is it fair to discriminate against whites in order to help the longtime victims of discrimination, notably blacks and other disadvantaged minorities? Last week, ruling in the crucial case of United Steelworkers of America vs. Weber, the U.S. Supreme Court gave an answer. Employers can indeed choose to give special job preference to blacks without fear of being harassed by reverse-discrimination suits...