The Vernon meatpacking company that makes Dodger Dogs and other Farmer Johns meats has reached a settlement with thousands of women who claimed their applications were rejected by the company due to gender discrimination.

Clougherty Packing Co. has agreed to pay about 2,000 women $439,000 in back wages. Clougherty will also offer positions to about 700 of the women.

The agreement was reached following a federal labor investigation of allegations that the women were unfairly turned down for jobs such as packaging, cutting and slicing meat at the company’s Vernon plant between 2007 and 2009.

Clougherty is a subsidiary of Hormel Foods Corp. of Austin Minn. Hormel denied any wrongdoing.

“We strongly deny any wrongdoing and reiterate our commitment to a discrimination-free workplace for our employees,” the statement from Hormel said. “We believe a settlement at this time is the right thing to do to allow Clougherty Packing to move forward with our business.”

The settlement was reached Oct. 31 and was the subject of media reports on Wednesday.

Company officials couldn’t be reached for comment.