(FORTUNE Magazine) – Most of the black workers who sued the Du Pont Louisville plant for discrimination in 1973 have retired. One-third of them have died . . .But last week, the case that outlasted a generation was resolved. Maybe A federal judge ruled November 16 that the seniority system in place in the early 1970s was intentionally discriminatory. . .U.S. District Judge Carl B. Rubin said. . .the company owes money to an estimated 154 workers or their survivors. . . The case is the longest-running dispute on the docket of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. . .There is no single reason why it took so long. There are many reasons, none. . .of great moment, making it all the more baffling. It may not be over yet. . .(Du Pont) lawyer. . .Jon L. Fleischaker, who says he has the distinction of being the only lawyer who has been on the case since the start, says the company is considering an appeal. -- From an article in the Washington Post.