Document: 462 U.S. 345 103 S.Ct. 2392 76 L.Ed.2d 628 CROWN, CORK & SEAL COMPANY, INC., Petitionerv.Theodore PARKER. No. 82-118. Argued April 18, 1983. Decided June 13, Syllabus Respondent, a Negro male, after being discharged by petitioner employer in 1977, filed discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which, on November 9, 1978, upon finding no reasonable cause to believe was true, sent respondent Notice of Right Sue pursuant § 706(f) Title VII Civil Rights Act 1964. Previously, while respondent's still pending before EEOC, two other males formerly employed had class action against Federal District Court, alleging employment and purporting represent which member. Subsequently, September 4, 1980, Court denied named plaintiffs' motion for certification, then proceeded as an individual action. Within 90 days thereafter but almost years receiving his Sue, under that discharge racially motivated. The granted summary judgment ground failed file within required 706(f)(1). Appeals reversed. Held: filing tolled statute limitations members putative class. Since did not receive until filed, he retained full bring suit certification denied, hence timely filed. Pp. 349-354. (a) While American Pipe Constr. Co. v. Utah, 414 538, 94 756, 38 713 concerned only intervenors action, holding case—that tolls running applicable all asserted class—is be read limited extending separate actions. Otherwise, would led actions prior denial order preserve their rights. result needless multiplicity actions—precisely situation Rule Procedure 23 tolling rule were designed avoid. 349-351. (b) Failure apply also inconsistent this Court's reliance Eisen Carlisle Jacquelin, 417 156, 2140, 40 73 , where it held 23(c)(2) notice so each them could decide whether "opt out" thereby right pursue own lawsuit. A member unable lawsuit if period expired pending. Pp.351-352 (c) is purposes served statutes putting defendants adverse claims preventing plaintiffs from sleeping These ends are met when Class who do cannot accused And complaint notifies number generic identities potential plaintiffs. 352-353. (d) Once commencement suspends class, remains suspended denied. Pp.353-354 677 F.2d 391, 4th Cir.1982, affirmed. George D. Solter, Baltimore, Md., petitioner. Norris C. Ramsey, respondent. Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion Court. 1 question confronts us case limitations, thus permits event provided, course, those instituted time period. 2 * Respondent Theodore Parker, Crown, Cork Seal Company, Inc., July 1977. In October year, (EEOC) been harassed account race. On EEOC issued Determination Letter and, 1964 (Act), 78 Stat. 260, amended, 42 U.S.C. 2000e-5(f), Sue. App. 5A, 7A. 3 Two months earlier, United States Maryland. Pendleton Co., Civ. M-78-1734. alleged discriminated its employees respect hiring, discharges, job assignments, promotions, disciplinary actions, terms conditions employment, violation Act, 253, 2000e et seq. purported "black persons have been, continue future will equal opportunities defendant grounds race or color." Brief Petitioner 2a. It undisputed 4 May 1979, moved certification. Nearly year half later, motion. 7a. court ruled typical adequate representatives, numerous make joinder impracticable. Thereafter, behalf plaintiffs.1 5 27, present Maryland, consolidate case, opposed cases at substantially different stages preparation. petitioner, ruling Act's 706(f)(1), 2000e-5(f)(1). 514 F.Supp. 122 (D.C.1981). 6 Fourth Circuit 391 (4th Cir.1982). Relying (1974), VII's Because received Notice, because concluded timely. 7 Courts applies seek intervene who, like respondent, actions.2 We certiorari resolve conflict. --- ----, 338, 74 381 (1982). II A. 8 federal antitrust brought State Utah itself public bodies agencies. 11 left run limitations. eventually proceed eight intervene. This motions time-barred. reasoned unless induced join protect themselves possibility U.S., 553, S.Ct., 766. principal procedure—promotion efficiency economy litigation—would frustrated. Ibid. To policies behind procedure, "the parties permitted action." Id., 554, 9 asserts intervenors, does toll own.3 relies statement original has found inappropriate status." 3, 766 (emphasis added). we conclude narrowly. "as class," id., 766, just intervenors. 10 recognized able rely existence Only intervening taking they ensure rights lost Much same inefficiencies ensue Pipe's permitting There many reasons why member, might prefer rather than forum inconvenient one, example, wish share control over litigation once economies longer available. Moreover, permission refused wholly unrelated merits claim.4 fears may every incentive expiration B 732 (1974). Eisen, absent members, 176, 2151. plaintiff argued such fruitless long since members. argument, said "disposed our recent decision . est blished class." n. 2152, 13. 12 If reference misplaced makes sense. Eisen's requirement intended inform "preserve opportunity press claim separately" opting out 2151 But "press difficulty, opt remained meaningful Pipe. serve purpose assigned Eisen; simply Thus, necessarily today, choose suits.5 C 13 noted Limitations periods put prevent rights, see Delaware College Ricks, 449 250, 256-257, 101 498, 503, 66 431 (1980); Pipe, 561, 770 (concurring opinion); Burnett New York Central R. 380 424, 428, 85 1050, 1054, 941 (1965), these commenced. rights; both encourages claims. "notifies substantive them, participate judgment." 555, 767; Airlines, Inc. McDonald, 432 395, 97 2470. aware need evidence witnesses respecting Tolling creates unfair surprise, regardless method enforce 14 Restricting reduce lawsuits particular but, discussed above, decrease counterbalanced increase protective filings although defend multiple forums decertified, interest protect. Cf. Goldlawr, Heiman, 369 463, 467, 82 913, 916, 39 (1962). Other avenues exist burdens avoided; consolidation appropriate cases, Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 42(a); 28 1404 (change venue), multidistrict proceedings available suits jurisdictions, 1407.6 III 15 conclude, tolled, At point, 16 clearly party Respondent's 17 Affirmed. 18 POWELL, whom REHNQUIST O'CONNOR join, concurring. 19 I opinion. seems important reiterate view expressed He wrote "must regarded encouragement lawyers kind frame pleadings intentionally, attract save slept rights." opinion). generous inviting abuse. preserves range options should read, however, leaving free raise peripheral following status. 20 judgment. set essential information necessary determine subject matter size prospective litigation." 767. When notified, normally prejudiced certain, howeve abused assertion differ raised suit. As noted, district deny intervention 24(b) whole prejudice arising notice." 562, Similarly, invokes support lawsuit, take care raises "concern evidence, memories, suit," prejudiced." Claims fairly placed protected barred 21 notified therefore later settled claims, dismissed prejudice. 5, 392-395, 2464, 2468-70, 53 423 (1977), intervened appealing failed, appeal. See Pavlak Church, 681 617 (CA9 1982), cert. pending, 82-650; Stull Bayard, 561 429, 433 (CA2 1977), 434 1035, 98 769, 54 783 (1978); Arneil 550 774, 1977). argues limit contained 2000e-5(f)(1), jurisdictional tolled. argument foreclosed decisions Zipes Trans World 455 385, 398, 102 1127, 1135, 71 234 (1982), Mohasco Corp. Silver, 447 807, 811 100 2486, 2489 65 532 (1980). Putative frequently entitled 24(a), permissive discretion 559-560, 769; 700 Railroad Trainmen Baltimore Ohio 331 519, 524-525, 67 1387, 1389-90, 91 L.Ed. 1646 (1947). exercising considers "whether unduly delay adjudication parties," 24(b), undue well uncertain prospect proposed Several indicated can suits, Johnson Railway Express Agency, 421 454, 474-475, 95 1716, 1727, 44 295 (1975) (MARSHALL, J., joined Douglas BRENNAN, JJ., concurring part dissenting part) ("In initiation limitation enabling institute mechanism litigation"); 402, 2474, (1977) (POWELL, THE CHIEF JUSTICE WHITE, dissenting) ("Under regarding status begins again excluded individuals must (or possibly own) remaining expires"). Petitioner's complaints about burden defending ring particularly hollow efforts Pendleton.

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