Seniority Systems and Title VII

Seniority provisions frequently work to the disadvantage of minorities because earlier employment discrimination, prior to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,1 leaves them with fewer years of service. A conflict is thus created between the tradition of seniority and the goals of equal opportunity and affirmative action. The applicability of Title VII to seniority systems and the affirmative action tools for achieving the national policy of equal opportunity will be the focus of this article.