Opinion ID: 453197
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Kline's Retaliation Claim

Text: 12 Kline contends that his status as a temporary or casual basis employee was terminated in August of 1981 in retaliation for his continued opposition to the loss of his seniority under the Change of Operations. He argues that this is a separate act of unlawful discrimination and that the EEOC charge was timely filed with respect to this claim. Defendants concede that Kline's claim would be timely if his termination is considered a separate discriminatory event. They maintain, however, that Follmer's decision to terminate Kline was not an act of retaliation but was merely an inevitable consequence of the original allegedly discriminatory practice, i.e., the closing of the Hummels' Wharf terminal pursuant to the Change of Operations plan. See Bronze Shields, Inc. v. New Jersey Department of Civil Service, 667 F.2d 1074 (3d Cir.1981), cert. denied, 458 U.S. 1122, 102 S.Ct. 3510, 73 L.Ed.2d 1384 (1982). 13 The district court did not make any findings of fact as to the circumstances underlying Kline's termination. Arguably, the court could have found that Kline's termination was the result of unlawful retaliation. An employer may not discharge an employee for opposing practices made unlawful by the ADEA. 29 U.S.C. Sec. 623(d). We will therefore vacate the judgment with respect to Kline's retaliation claim and remand the case for an evidentiary hearing and appropriate findings.