01A13209_r
02-11-2002
Deward L. Cummings, Complainant, v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General, United States Postal Service, Agency.
Deward L. Cummings v. United States Postal Service
01A13209
February 11, 2002
.
Deward L. Cummings,
Complainant,
v.
John E. Potter,
Postmaster General,
United States Postal Service,
Agency.
Appeal No. 01A13209
Agency No. 1I681-0017-01
DECISION
Upon review, the Commission finds that the agency's March 23, 2001
decision dismissing complainant's complaint was proper. Complainant
alleges that he was discriminated against on the bases of race, disability
and retaliation when, on April 7, 1989, he was removed. The agency
dismissed the complaint pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.107(a)(1), for
stating the same claim that is pending before, or that has been decided
by the agency or Commission. Specifically, the agency finds that the
instant complaint states the same claim as complaint No. 4R-000-0008-88.
The agency also dismissed complainant's complaint pursuant to 29 C.F.R.
� 1614.107(a)(4), for stating the same claim that has been appealed to
the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).
The record indicates that complainant received a Letter of Decision
dated May 9, 1989, which informs complainant that his removal action
will be effective on May 13, 1989. The Letter further indicates
that complainant has a right to appeal the decision to the MSPB or
to file an EEO complaint, but not both. Complainant, on June 1,
1989, appealed the removal action to the MSPB. Complainant's instant
complaint is dated January 14, 2001. Therefore, we find that complainant
elected to pursue the non-EEO process. Complainant's claim is properly
dismissed for stating the same claim that has been appealed to the MSPB.
Since complainant's complaint was properly dismissed for raising the
same claim as raised in the MSPB, we will not make a determination as
to whether the claim was properly dismissed on alternative grounds.
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
February 11, 2002
__________________
Date