Marcus J. Brown, Complainant,v.Ray H. LaHood, Secretary, Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration), Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionJan 4, 2011
0120080756 (E.E.O.C. Jan. 4, 2011)

0120080756

01-04-2011

Marcus J. Brown, Complainant, v. Ray H. LaHood, Secretary, Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration), Agency.


Marcus J. Brown,

Complainant,

v.

Ray H. LaHood,

Secretary,

Department of Transportation

(Federal Aviation Administration),

Agency.

Appeal No. 0120080756

Hearing Nos. 210-2002-06091X; 210-2002-06117X

Agency Nos. 4-99-4106; 4-99-4127

DECISION

BACKGROUND

Complainant filed an appeal with this Commission from the Agency's

October 5, 2007 final order in Douglas Powers et al v. Department of

Transportation, EEOC Hearing Nos. 210-2002-06091X; 210-2002-06117X.

In that final order, the Agency adopted an Administrative Judge's decision

finding that the class agent failed to establish that it discriminated

against a class of employees on the bases of their sex (female) and age

in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII),

as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq., and the Age Discrimination in

Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), as amended, 29 U.S.C. � 621 et seq.

CONTENTIONS ON APPEAL

On appeal, Complainant argues that he was discriminated against when he

was not selected for a number of positions since 1998. In response,

the Agency argues, among other things, that Complainant is not the

class agent. The Agency also argues that since Complainant claims he

was not selected for positions, his allegations are not of the same

subject matter as set forth in Douglas Powers et al v. Department of

Transportation, EEOC Hearing Nos. 210-2002-06091X; 210-2002-06117X.

Because the record does not indicate that Complainant amended his

complaint to include nonselections and since it appears that no

investigation was conducted as to these matters, we decline to address

them in this appeal. See Hubbard v. Department of Homeland Security,

EEOC Appeal No. 01A40449 (April 22, 2004). However, to the extent that

he has not already done so, Complainant may contact an EEO Counselor

with regard to these additional claims

ANALYSIS AND FINDING

Our regulations provide that "a class agent may appeal a final decision

on a class complaint." 29 C.F.R. � 1614.401(c).1 Because the record

reveals that Complainant is not the individual identified as the class

agent in Douglas Powers et al v. Department of Transportation, EEOC

Hearing Nos. 210-2002-06091X; 210-2002-06117X, we dismiss Complainant's

appeal.2

We note that Complainant contends that the Agency failed to comply with

the Commission's order in Brown v. Department of Transportation, EEOC

Appeal No. 01A13558, (August 20, 2002), requiring the Agency to resume

processing Complainant's remanded claims. Complainant further argues that

he specifically requested that his claims not be subsumed in the class.

In Brown v. Department of Transportation, EEOC Appeal No. 01A13558,

(August 20, 2002), Complainant alleged that "he was subjected to

discrimination on the basis of age when he was disparately impacted as

a result of the implementation of the Agency's October 1998 air traffic

compensation system and "Movement Rules," which caused him to receive

a less beneficial pay increase than similarly situated coworkers."

These claims are identical to those raised by the class agent in Douglas

Powers et al v. Department of Transportation, EEOC Appeal No. 0120080426.

Complainant stated in his July 14, 2009, letter to the Commission that the

Agency informed him via e-mail on February 11, 2003, that this complaint

was subsumed in the Powers class action. We find that the Agency did

not err in doing so since the claims in this case are identical to those

in Douglas Powers et al v. Department of Transportation, EEOC Appeal

No. 0120080426.

STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL

RECONSIDERATION (M0610)

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), at 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

77960, Washington, DC 20013. 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 (S0610)

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 (Z0610)

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 from the Court that

the Court appoint an attorney to represent you and that the Court also

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

with the Court 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

____1/4/11______________

Date

1 A class member may, however, file an appeal on issues concerning

individual relief after a finding of discrimination.

2 We note, however, that an appeal has been filed by the class agent

and docketed as Douglas Powers et al v. Department of Transportation,

EEOC Appeal No. 0120080426. This case is currently pending before the

Commission.

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0120080756

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

Office of Federal Operations

P.O. Box 77960

Washington, DC 20013

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