Hearing Set to Determine Trial Date For Age-Bias Suit Against First

Nearly 100 former First Union Corp. employees who claim they are the victims of age discrimination will get their day in court.

Judge Royce C. Lambert of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has scheduled a hearing for Aug. 27 to set a trial date. Most observers expect a start in October or November, although Charlotte, N.C.- based First Union is attempting to delay the trial until December.

The judge on Tuesday eliminated the final procedural hurdle, ruling that the employees could bring a class action against First Union, instead of litigating each claim separately. The judge also ruled that 1,500 people who were more than 40 years old and were rejected for openings at the bank could litigate their class action at the same time.

First Union laid off 93 employees when it purchased Washington-based First American Bank and its affiliates in 1992 and 1993. The employees charged age and race discrimination. The judge is expected to rule shortly on whether the race issues would be tried.

A First Union spokesman said the layoffs did not violate any laws.