01A41561_r
04-15-2004
James M. Mee, Complainant, v. Jo Anne B. Barnhart, Commissioner, Social Security Administration, Agency.
James M. Mee v. Social Security Administration
01A41561
April 15, 2004
.
James M. Mee,
Complainant,
v.
Jo Anne B. Barnhart,
Commissioner,
Social Security Administration,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A41561
Agency No. 04-0012-SSA
DECISION
Complainant appeals to the Commission from the agency's December 8, 2003
decision dismissing his complaint. Complainant alleges discrimination
on the bases of sex and race when he did not receive a Recognition
of Contribution Award for the October 1, 2001 through September 30,
2002 performance period. The agency dismissed complainant's complaint
pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(4), for raising the same matter in a
negotiated grievance. The record indicates that complainant, on May 29,
2003, filed a grievance on the same matter as the instant EEO complaint,
which is dated November 26, 2003. Furthermore, the record contains a
copy of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which indicates that
allegations of discrimination may be raised in the grievance.
Complainant argues that upon learning that the denial of the award was
discriminatory, he withdrew his grievance and filed an EEO complaint
because he "was never told by [his] union representative or union
official that [he] could continue the grievance process based on
discrimination. [He] assumed the only way to pursue an issue based on
a discrimination [sic] was under the EEO process."
We find that complainant's complaint was properly dismissed. Complainant
must elect to file a grievance or EEO complaint, but not both. Which ever
is first filed, here the grievance, is the election. Whether complainant
was aware of, or raised the issue of discrimination in the grievance
is irrelevant.
The agency's decision dismissing complainant's complaint is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0701)
The Commission may, in its discretion, reconsider the decision in this
case if the complainant or the agency submits a written request containing
arguments or evidence which tend to establish that:
1. The appellate decision involved a clearly erroneous interpretation
of material fact or law; or
2. The appellate decision will have a substantial impact on the policies,
practices, or operations of the agency.
Requests to reconsider, with supporting statement or brief, must be filed
with the Office of Federal Operations (OFO) within thirty (30) calendar
days of receipt of this decision or within twenty (20) calendar days of
receipt of another party's timely request for reconsideration. See 29
C.F.R. � 1614.405; Equal Employment Opportunity Management Directive for
29 C.F.R. Part 1614 (EEO MD-110), 9-18 (November 9, 1999). All requests
and arguments must be submitted to the Director, Office of Federal
Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 19848,
Washington, D.C. 20036. In the absence of a legible postmark, the
request to reconsider shall be deemed timely filed if it is received by
mail within five days of the expiration of the applicable filing period.
See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.604. The request or opposition must also include
proof of service on the other party.
Failure to file within the time period will result in dismissal of your
request for reconsideration as untimely, unless extenuating circumstances
prevented the timely filing of the request. Any supporting documentation
must be submitted with your request for reconsideration. The Commission
will consider requests for reconsideration filed after the deadline only
in very limited circumstances. See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.604(c).
COMPLAINANT'S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (S0900)
You have the right to file a civil action in an appropriate United States
District Court within ninety (90) calendar days from the date that you
receive this decision. If you file a civil action, you must name as
the defendant in the complaint the person who is the official agency head
or department head, identifying that person by his or her full name and
official title. Failure to do so may result in the dismissal of your
case in court. "Agency" or "department" means the national organization,
and not the local office, facility or department in which you work. If you
file a request to reconsider and also file a civil action, filing a civil
action will terminate the administrative processing of your complaint.
RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z1199)
If you decide to file a civil action, and if you do not have or cannot
afford the services of an attorney, you may request that the Court appoint
an attorney to represent you and that the Court permit you to file the
action without payment of fees, costs, or other security. See Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq.;
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. �� 791, 794(c).
The grant or denial of the request is within the sole discretion of
the Court. Filing a request for an attorney does not extend your time
in which to file a civil action. Both the request and the civil action
must be filed within the time limits as stated in the paragraph above
("Right to File A Civil Action").
FOR THE COMMISSION:
______________________________
Carlton M. Hadden, Director
Office of Federal Operations
April 15, 2004
__________________
Date