Andre S. Watkins, Complainant,v.Michael Chertoff, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionMay 12, 2008
0520080432 (E.E.O.C. May. 12, 2008)

0520080432

05-12-2008

Andre S. Watkins, Complainant, v. Michael Chertoff, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, Agency.


Andre S. Watkins,

Complainant,

v.

Michael Chertoff,

Secretary,

Department of Homeland Security,

Agency.

Request No. 0520080432

Appeal No. 0120065020

Agency No. HS050955

DENIAL

Complainant timely requested reconsideration of the decision in Andre

S. Watkins v. Department of Homeland Security (TSA), EEOC Appeal

No. 0120065020 (March 19, 2008). EEOC Regulations provide that the

Commission may, in its discretion, grant a request to reconsider any

previous Commission decision where the requesting party demonstrates 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. See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(b).

In the underlying case, complainant alleged he was discriminated

against in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as

amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq., on the basis of his race (Black)

and in retaliation for prior EEO activity when he was terminated from

his position. The agency issued a final agency decision (FAD) finding

no discrimination. Complainant appealed the FAD to the Commission.

In Watkins v. Department of Homeland Security (TSA), EEOC Appeal

No. 0120065020 (March 19, 2008), the Commission found that complainant

failed to offer sufficient evidence to rebut the agency's proffered

reasons for terminating complainant. The Commission affirmed the agency's

FAD finding no discrimination. Complainant now requests the Commission

to reconsider its decision.

In his request for reconsideration, complainant argues that the

Commission's decision contains clearly erroneous interpretations of

material facts and law. In support of this contention, complainant

reiterates arguments he previously made on appeal. However, we remind

complainant that a "request for reconsideration is not a second appeal to

the Commission." Equal Employment Opportunity Management Directive for 29

C.F.R. Part 1614 (EEO MD-110), 9-17 (November 9, 1999). Since complainant

has not put forth any arguments or contentions that were not previously

considered in rendering the underlying decision, the Commission find that

complainant did not demonstrate that the underlying decision involved

a clearly erroneous interpretation of material fact or law.

After reconsidering the previous decision and the entire record, the

Commission finds that the request fails to meet the criteria of 29

C.F.R. � 1614.405(b), and it is the decision of the Commission to deny

the request. The decision in EEOC Appeal No. 0120065020 remains the

Commission's final decision. There is no further right of administrative

appeal on the decision of the Commission on this request.

COMPLAINANT'S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (P0900)

This decision of the Commission is final, and there is no further right

of administrative appeal from the Commission's decision. 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.

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

___5-12-08____

Date

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0520080432

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

Office of Federal Operations

P. O. Box 19848

Washington, D.C. 20036

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0520080432