01983736
04-08-1999
Wilson Canteen, Jr., Appellant, v. Togo D. West, Jr., Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency.
Wilson Canteen, Jr. v. Department of Veterans Affairs
01983736
April 8, 1999
Wilson Canteen, Jr., )
Appellant, )
)
v. ) Appeal No. 01983736
)
Togo D. West, Jr., )
Secretary, )
Department of Veterans Affairs, )
Agency. )
___________________________________)
DECISION
The Commission finds that the agency's decision dated March 31, 1998
dismissing appellant's complaint (defined by agency as alleging the
following issues: assignment of duties and reassignment; failure to
promote; harassment; working conditions; denied opportunity to apply
for position of Staff Assistant to the Director; and failure to provide
safe working environment) on the grounds that appellant failed to bring
these matters to the attention of an EEO Counselor is proper pursuant
to 29 C.F.R. �1614.107(b). The agency found, and the record shows,
that appellant contacted an EEO Counselor stating that he wished to
file complaints, but that three appointments were made by appellant to
meet with the EEO Counselor and appellant rescheduled the first two and
informed the EEO Counselor that appellant would call the EEO Counselor
to reschedule the third appointment. The EEO Counselor stated that
appellant never rescheduled the third appointment and that the EEO
Counselor subsequently issued a Notice of Right to File a Complaint.
Appellant has not claimed that the EEO Counselor refused to provide
counseling. Appellant has not disputed the agency's findings that
appellant never received EEO counseling and that he canceled appointments
with an EEO Counselor. EEO Counseling is the first step in the process
of pursuing an EEO complaint and is necessary in order that complaints
may be informally resolved. 29 C.F.R. �1614.105. Appellant has provided
no evidence or argument on appeal. Under the instant circumstances we
find that dismissal under �1614.107(b) is appropriate.
The agency's decision dismissing the complaint is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0795)
The Commission may, in its discretion, reconsider the decision in this
case if the appellant or the agency submits a written request containing
arguments or evidence which tend to establish that:
1. New and material evidence is available that was not readily available
when the previous decision was issued; or
2. The previous decision involved an erroneous interpretation of law,
regulation or material fact, or misapplication of established policy; or
3. The decision is of such exceptional nature as to have substantial
precedential implications.
Requests to reconsider, with supporting arguments or evidence, MUST
BE FILED WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive this
decision, or WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive
a timely request to reconsider filed by another party. Any argument in
opposition to the request to reconsider or cross request to reconsider
MUST be submitted to the Commission and to the requesting party
WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS of the date you receive the request
to reconsider. See 29 C.F.R. �1614.407. All requests and arguments
must bear proof of postmark and 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 filed on the date it is received
by the Commission.
Failure to file within the time period will result in dismissal of your
request for reconsideration as untimely. If extenuating circumstances
have prevented the timely filing of a request for reconsideration,
a written statement setting forth the circumstances which caused the
delay and 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. �l6l4.604(c).
RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (S0993)
It is the position of the Commission that 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.
You should be aware, however, that courts in some jurisdictions have
interpreted the Civil Rights Act of 1991 in a manner suggesting that
a civil action must be filed WITHIN THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS from the
date that you receive this decision. To ensure that your civil action
is considered timely, you are advised to file it WITHIN THIRTY (30)
CALENDAR DAYS from the date that you receive this decision or to consult
an attorney concerning the applicable time period in the jurisdiction
in which your action would be filed. 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 (Z1092)
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:
April 8, 1999
DATE Ronnie Blumenthal, Director
Office of Federal Operations