Opinion ID: 377034
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Substantial Compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement

Text: 13 Thiokol argues that the district court was without authority to determine whether Harper had substantially complied with the collective bargaining agreement since this is a claim to be evaluated by an arbitrator. Thiokol contends, and the district court agreed, that Harper had not made a timely request for an extension of maternity leave in accordance with article 16, section 4 of the agreement (Finding of Fact # 26). However, this finding is irrelevant to plaintiff-appellee's entitlement to relief. 14 Thiokol admits in its brief that the district court properly had jurisdiction under Alexander v. Gardner-Denver Co., 415 U.S. 36, 94 S.Ct. 1011, 39 L.Ed.2d 147 (1974), to determine that its refusal to allow Harper to return to work because she had not met its medical requirement of sustaining a normal menstrual cycle was a discriminatory act (appellant's brief at 19). Appellant argues, however, that the district court did not address this issue. This argument is without merit. In its Conclusion of Law # 15 the district court held that (t)he fact that Plaintiff was refused the right to return to work in accordance with her request and in accordance with medical advice prior to the expiration of her maternity leave constituted an unlawful employment practice in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. In its Conclusion of Law # 17, the court further held that the (e)mployer's policy of denying female employees on pregnancy leave the right to return to work prior to their having a normal menstrual cycle is a denial of specific employment opportunities and in absence of proof of any business necessity for it, constitutes an unlawful employment practice. The court therefore clearly addressed the issue whether Thiokol's act in refusing reinstatement was discriminatory and concluded that it was. The district court's holding was correct. See Satty, supra.