Case ID: f-appx_407/html/0988-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Lizzie A. MEREDITH, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. BALDWIN PIANO, INC., originally sued as Baldwin Piano Company, Defendant-Appellee.
    Nos. 09-3926, 10-1309.
    United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit.
    Submitted: Dec. 14, 2010.
    Filed: Feb. 10, 2011.
    Before RILEY, Chief Judge, BEAM, and BENTON, Circuit Judges.
   [UNPUBLISHED]

PER CURIAM.

Lizzie A. Meredith, an African-American, was employed in the Trumann, Arkansas manufacturing plant of Baldwin Piano, Inc., for about 16 years with a satisfactory work record. She was discharged as part of a reduction-in-force, along with 13 other employees — 12 of whom were white. Baldwin closed the plant 19 months later.

Meredith sued Baldwin, alleging the termination was based on race, in violation of the Arkansas Civil Rights Act, Ark.Code Ann. § 16-123-101; 42 U.S.C. § 1981; and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e, et. seq. Baldwin moved for summary judgment. Meredith claimed that Baldwin’s reduction-in-force explanation for her termination is pretextual, because she was experienced at the plant (though not in her department), and her seniority was wrongly calculated.

In well-reasoned orders, the district court granted summary judgment to Baldwin and awarded it costs. See Meredith v. Baldwin Piano, Inc., 3:08CV00046-SWW, 2009 WL 4251020 (E.D.Ark. Nov.23, 2009) (granting summary judgment); 2010 WL 386415 (E.D.Ark. Jan.26, 2010) (awarding costs).

As no error of law appears in these orders, this court affirms. See 8th Cir. R. 47B. 
      
      . The Honorable Susan Webber Wright, United States District Judge, Eastern District of Arkansas.