Opinion ID: 1710801
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Status of Hart as aggrieved complainant.

Text: Respondents Local 67 and Reed argue Hart as complainant must show a personal right of hisnot to be discriminated against because of his race, creed, color, sex, national origin or religionwas infringed upon in order to foundation a charge under chapter 105A. Otherwise, respondents insist, he has no standing in the case or cause and it should be dismissed. Commission argues, apparently alternatively, that Hart is an aggrieved party, that as executive officer he was acting for Weitz, that our rules of procedure do not apply, and in any event this objection was not raised below and cannot be considered here (§ 105A.10(4)). Local 67 and Reed rely on federal cases concerning standing of plaintiff to sue and provisions of federal rules of civil procedure. Cohen v. Public Housing Administration, 257 F.2d 73 (5 Cir. 1958); Colbert v. H-K Corporation, 295 F.Supp. 1091 (N. D.Ga.1968). Under the federal Equal Employment Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C., § 2000e et seq.) if the federal commission cannot obtain voluntary compliance, the person aggrieved is notified and a civil action may be brought against respondent in federal district court. Of course federal rules of procedure are there applicable, including those relating to real party in interest, standing, and class actions. These cases are not pertinent here, where the charge is litigated before the state commission. In attacking respondents' proposition, Commission asserts it was not urged before it, and relies on § 105A.10(4): 4. An objection that has not been urged before the commission shall not be considered by the court, unless the failure or neglect to urge such objection shall be excused because of extraordinary circumstances. There is a basic inconsistency in Commission's posture. On the one hand it defends an ambiguous, undetailed complaint suggesting no specific relief. On the other hand it contends § 105A.10(4) must be strictly construed and respondents at their peril must clearly define their defenses in the preliminary stages. We hold the nature of this complaint, and the manner of its drafting and execution is an extraordinary circumstance which excused the respondents in their failure to raise this objection at Commission hearing. Evidently trial court reached the same conclusion, as the objection was considered when the case was reviewed there. Under the language of this legislation, a complaint may be initiated by persons other than one aggrieved by a discriminatory or unfair practice. The Commission, a commissioner or the attorney general may file a complaint (§ 105A.9(1)). An employer is specifically empowered to file complaint when its employees refuse or threaten to refuse to comply with the provisions of chapter 105A (105A.9(2)). The complaint's main function is to trigger Commission investigation and, if probable cause is found, conference, conciliation and persuasion will follow. The agency decides if litigation is necessary. Complainant's importance as an adversary party is not established by the statutory provisions. We hold strict procedural rules in this area are not applicable. We do not imply we hold procedural rules, made necessary by due process and fair play, have no application to Commission proceedings. As bearing on this point, see Hoenig v. Mason & Hanger, Inc., 162 N.W.2d 188 (Iowa 1968). Further, though Hart's signature is not accompanied by his title at the end of the complaint, he is affirmatively identified in his capacity as vice-president of Weitz at the outset of the instrument. The address given is the company's. Trial court found complaint was initiated by Mr. Hart on behalf of Weitz. Enough loss and damage was sustained by Weitz as a result of respondents' conduct to permit it to fall within the legal definition of aggrieved person. American Surety Co. v. Jones, 384 Ill. 222, 51 N.E.2d 122 (1943); In re Vetter's Estate, 139 Neb. 307, 297 N.W. 554 (1941). We find no merit in respondents' first proposition relied upon for reversal.