Wrongful termination lawsuit brought by former Alcan president.CLEVELAND, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 1995--David W. Hackbirth, former president and member of the board of directors of Alcan Aluminum Corp. (Alcan), Cleveland, will hold a news conference on Thursday, April 27, at 1 p.m., at the Holiday Inn, 99 Viger Street West, Montreal, Canada, 514/878-9888, to announce a wrongful termination wrongful termination n. a right of an employee to sue his/her employer for damages (loss of wage and "fringe" benefits, and, if against "public policy," for punitive damages). lawsuit and initiate a shareholder's derivative action shareholder's derivative action n. a lawsuit by a corporation's shareholders, theoretically on behalf of the corporation to protect and benefit all shareholders, against the corporation for improper management. (See: derivative action) against Alcan and the parent company, Alcan Aluminium Limited of Canada. "It is my opinion that my dismissal was based on my refusal to accept certain senior managers' efforts to dilute di·lute v. To reduce a solution or mixture in concentration, quality, strength, or purity, as by adding water. adj. Thinned or weakened by diluting. health, safety and environmental standards at Alcan," said Hackbirth. "As Alcan's president, my responsibility was to ensure that all regulatory and compliance matters were properly discharged in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and not compromised." In February, 1995, Hackbirth was released from his position as president of Alcan, after serving 28 years in positions of increasing responsibility within the company, including serving as president of a host of Alcan subsidiaries. "It is my firm opinion that my dismissal was due to my unwillingness to weaken health, safety and environmental standards in exchange for an increase in profit potential," stated Hackbirth. "Let me emphasize that, to the best of my knowledge, Alcan Aluminum Corporation and Alcan Aluminium Limited never committed an overt act An open, manifest act from which criminality may be implied. An outward act done in pursuance and manifestation of an intent or design. An overt act is essential to establish an attempt to commit a crime. which violated vi·o·late tr.v. vi·o·lat·ed, vi·o·lat·ing, vi·o·lates 1. To break or disregard (a law or promise, for example). 2. To assault (a person) sexually. 3. any law in the United States," added Hackbirth. "However, in my opinion, my strong disagreement with certain senior management undermined my position within the company, and subsequently led to my dismissal." Following the Alcan Aluminium Limited Canada's shareholder meeting in Montreal on Thursday, Hackbirth will be available to take media questions at a news conference at 1 p.m. CONTACT: G. Michael Curtin 216/566-7100 |
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