MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says technology giant 3M has agreed to pay $3 million to several hundred former employees who accused the company of age discrimination.

The EEOC sued 3M in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis on behalf of a class of former employees who said the company laid off hundreds of workers over the age of 45 from July 1, 2003 to Dec. 31, 2006. The lawsuit alleged 3M terminated many highly paid older employees and directed leadership training to younger workers.

A consent decree says 3M will pay $3 million to about 290 former employees. The company has agreed to provide training on how to prevent age bias. The employees involved in the EEOC case are not eligible for relief under two private lawsuits filed by a Washington law firm on behalf of thousands of current and former employees.

3M did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

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