Opinion ID: 463228
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Waiver of Objections to Remedial Measures

Text: 47 In August, 1983, Wells filed his complaint with the Department of Labor alleging retaliatory discharge. Pursuant to the ERA, the DOL conducted its own investigation of the matter. In September, 1983, the DOL Compliance Officer issued her findings and recommendations for relief. Included in these recommendations were the following: The employer should be advised to restore Wells to his job, pay lost wages for the period he has been off work, and expenses incurred by him. (Tr. 244-47.) 48 KG & E requested a formal administrative hearing before an ALJ. This hearing took place in mid-January, 1984. The ALJ's Decision and Order was issued on February 27, 1984. The Order contained relief nearly identical to the relief recommended by the DOL. This order was appealed to the Secretary of Labor who affirmed the ALJ's order in mid-June, 1984. In addition to his consideration of the record, the Secretary also had the benefit of the post-hearing briefs of the parties. Wells filed an enforcement action with the district court in July, 1984, in an attempt to compel KG & E to comply with the Secretary's orders for re-instatement and back pay. It was not until October, 1984, however, that KG & E filed a motion with the Secretary to request the re-opening of the proceedings to take evidence on the remedial orders. KG & E contends that at all times Wells knew that his position as a quality assurance inspector was to be terminated on or about May 11, 1984. Consequently, KG & E argues that the Secretary's order is inappropriate relief and, at the very least, the order should be vacated by this court and remanded to the administrative agency so that evidence on the duration of Wells' employment may be presented. 49 Although the record made before the ALJ on this issue is sparse, it does contain Wells' statement that he was told when he was hired that his position would probably end in May, 1984. Wells argues that it was the responsibility of KG & E to make an adequate record on this matter and because KG & E has not done so, its objections to the relief fashioned have been waived. KG & E counters that at the time the record was made--January, 1984--it had no reason to believe that the duration of the position would pose problems. KG & E apparently was certain that the Secretary would render his decision well before the projected termination date and KG & E therefore took no action. KG & E claims that its actions do not amount to a waiver. 50 The troublesome part of KG & E's argument is that even if it was not apprised that the exact nature of appropriate relief was an issue prior to May 11, 1984, it does not explain how it could have believed that it was not an issue after that time. The ALJ's order contained no dates to indicate the amount of back pay Wells was due or the period of time for which Wells was to be reinstated. Thus, although it is possible that KG & E believed that it would only be obligated to Wells until May 11, 1984, it is difficult to understand how KG & E remained under this delusion after May 11, 1984. Between May 11 and June 14, 1984, when the Secretary's order was issued, KG & E made no attempt to petition the Secretary or the agency to determine or contest the exact nature of the relief; in fact, not until October, 1984, when KG & E was ordered by the district court to carry out the proposed relief did KG & E request that the Secretary take evidence on the remedial measures. 51 KG & E's appeal to this court on this issue and to the Secretary is untimely. Osteopathic Hospital Founders Ass'n v. NLRB, 618 F.2d 633, 639 (10th Cir.1980). On May 11, 1984, KG & E certainly was put on notice that an issue existed. It was KG & E's duty to petition the Secretary to take evidence on the issue while the Secretary was able to act on the matter. We will not consider contentions not presented to the Secretary, absent exceptional circumstances. Wilson v. Hodel, 758 F.2d 1369, 1379 (10th Cir.1985). No exceptional circumstances exist here. KG & E followed an incorrect course. Even as of May 4, 1985, the date KG & E's reply brief was filed, it does not seem that KG & E was cognizant of its error, for it stated in its brief: [I]t is difficult to determine how KG & E should have proceeded differently. (Petitioner's Reply Brief at 12). In the Secretary's brief it was asserted that KG & E should have requested further hearings from the Secretary on the reinstatement issue. KG & E responds, we do not believe KG & E can be faulted for not doing this [requesting a hearing] nor do we believe it would have been realistic to have expected the Secretary to have reopened the record at that point on the narrow remedial issue presented. Id. KG & E seems to admit that it simply did not believe that the issue was important and thus overlooked it. Inasmuch as the contentions were not raised at the appropriate time they are deemed to have been waived. Osteopathic Hospitals, supra, at 639, 640. 52 KG & E further complains that the district court could have entertained evidence on the remedial issue during the enforcement action. The statutory language is clear that the district court shall enforce the Secretary's orders, and that this duty is a ministerial one. 42 U.S.C. 5851(d). An appeal from the Secretary's decision can lie only with the court of appeals. 42 U.S.C. 5851(c)(1). 53 In No. 84-2114, we ENFORCE the Secretary's order on the merits in favor of Wells. In No. 84-2735, we AFFIRM the district court's order enforcing the Secretary's remedial order entered on behalf of Wells.