State Supreme Court Justice Henry Epstein today gave the New York State Commission Against Discrimination 48 hours to decide whether it wanted to withdraw a decision dismissing charges by the American Jewish Congress that the Arabian American Oil Co. discriminates against Jewish applicants for employment.
The action came at a hearing at which the AJC sought to appeal a ruling by SCA chairman Elmer A. Carter that ARAMCO was entitled to an exemption from the New York State Fair Employment Law, which bars job discrimination.
Justice Epstein pointed out that if SCAD withdrew its ruling of November 10 granting ARAMCO an exemption, the AJC appeal would become moot If SCAD should refuse to vacate that decision. Justice Epstein said, he would consider the briefs of both sides and issue an opinion on the appeal on or before July 19.
Commissioner Carter of SCAD ruling maintained that the requirements of American foreign policy made it necessary to grant ARAMCO a “bona fide occupational qualification” exemption permitting the company to discriminate against Jewish applicants for positions in Saudi Arabia.
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