Document: 432 U.S. 385 97 S.Ct. 2464 53 L.Ed.2d 423 UNITED AIRLINES, INC., Petitioner,v.Liane Buix McDONALD. No. 76-545. Argued March 29, 1977. Decided June 20, Rehearing Denied Dec. 5, See 434 989, 98 623. Syllabus Claiming that petitioner United Airlines had violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act 1964 by requiring stewardesses, though not stewards, to remain unmarried as an employment condition, one Romasanta, a stewardess who been discharged because her marriage, brought this suit class action on behalf herself and all other stewardesses no-marriage rule. The District Court ruled only those upon discharge marriage filed charges under either fair statute or United's collective-bargaining agreement constituted class, was too small satisfy numerosity requirement Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 23(a)(1), court granted motion strike complaint's allegations, but allowed 12 married protested their intervene additional parties plaintiff. certified for appeal its order striking Appeals declined accept interlocutory appeal. litigation proceeded joint original intervening plaintiffs, ultimately determined plaintiffs were entitled reinstatement backpay and, following amounts be awarded each plaintiff, entered judgment dismissal. After learning Romasanta despite earlier attempt do so in case did plan denying certification, respondent, former account rule thus putative member grievance, filed, 18 days after (and therefore within applicable period) purpose appealing adverse determination order. denied intervention, from which denial well respondent appealed. reversed intervention refusal certify described Romasanta's complaint consisting rule, whether they formally discharge. Petitioner challenges Appeals' ruling respondent's post-judgment timely Court's American Pipe & Construction Co. v. Utah, 414 538, 94 756, 38 713, held "the commencement tolls running (of limitations) purported members make motions has found inappropriate status." argues relevant limitations began run certification Romasanta. Held: Respondent's "timely" 24 should have granted. Respondent sought intervene, litigate individual claim based illegality (which would put same position intervenors), obtain appellate review class-action status critical question is intervenor acted promptly entry final subject judgment, since named tried take appeal, no reason suppose later until she advised contrary trial judgment. Thus soon it became clear interests unnamed longer protected representatives, period, moved protect interests. Pp. 391-396. 537 F.2d 915, affirmed. Stuart Bernstein, Chicago, Ill., petitioner. Thomas R. Meites, respondent. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. 1 Federal Rule requires application federal must "timely." In Court, court's certification. presented 24. 2 Until November 7, 1968, required female condition employment; parallel restriction imposed any male employees, including stewards cabin flight attendants.1 This "no-marriage rule" resulted termination large number turn spawned good deal litigation. 3 One first Mary Sprogis, with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission August 1966, contending sex discrimination violation 1964. 78 Stat. 253, amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq. (1970 ed. Supp. V). EEOC reasonable cause believe policy illegal, issued "right sue letter."2 Sprogis then agreed VII. 308 F.Supp. 959 (N.D.Ill.). took 28 1292(b) issue liability, Seventh Circuit affirmed finding discrimination. Air Lines, Inc., 444 1194. 4 While pending, present Carole 1967 marriage. She, too, EEOC, leading issuance right-to-sue letter. Another permitted 5 (1) Several months later, could properly consist who, loss agreement. As defined, numbered more than 30 view Fed. 23(a)(1).3 part order, however, Pursuant 1292(b), appeal.4 6 yet reinstated jobs remedy, every plaintiff backpay. To aid determining amount award, appointed Special Master person performed similar task litigation.5 Following guidelines adopted eventually consummation dismissal October 3, 1975. 7 specific controversy before us arose stewardess, 1968 She defined complaint. Knowing challenged grievance agreement.6 8 suit, now intend file challenging Her 30-day period taken.7 Judge motion, stating: 9 "Well, my gentlemen, five years litigation, lady seen fit come here seek relief way during time, end. I deny motion. Of course, appealable itself, if am error can reverse me we will grant hearing, late in." 10 appealed Circuit. reversed, holding wrong believing untimely 24(b),8 also erred refusing employment. Airlines, 915. 11 petition certiorari VII, nor contest merits decision issue. Instead, timely. We petition, 429 998, 523, 50 608, consider single urging reversal, relies primarily 713. That involved private antitrust short expiration statutory period.9 23(a)(1).10 Neither at time. Eight untimely. decision, circumstances U.S., 553, S.Ct., 766. Since remained when again eight denial, Id., 560-561, 769-770. 13 (2) It that, Pipe, action. reasons time barred, support makes alternative arguments two different periods prescribed VII.11 14 argument might persuasive join litigating occupied intervenors Pipe. But wholly purpose. lawsuit,12 complied with, to, limitation lodging App.Proc. 4(a). Success result limitations; against whom commenced. 15 lawsuit commenced filing classwide relief, providing essential information necessary determine both matter size prospective . ." supra, 555, 767.13 sure, "stripped character action" Advisory Committee's Note 1966 Amendment 23, U.S.C.App., p. 7767. "it does follow treated there never absent members." Philadelphia Electric Company Anaconda Brass Co., 43 F.R.D. 452, 461 (E.D.Pa.). behest concedes.14 And attempted entered, 16 (3) fact once made appealable, quickly enter short, interests.15 17 hardly contend ability unfairly prejudiced simply own, rather plaintiffs. circular argue proper party ground adversely court. notice possibility why Mrs. McDonald's pursuit considered presented. (4) Our conclusion consistent several decisions courts permitting appeal.16 inquiry such Cf. NAACP New York, 413 345, 366, 93 2591, 2603, 37 648. Here, taken conclude correct 19 Affirmed. 20 STEVENS consideration case. 21 POWELL THE CHIEF JUSTICE WHITE join, dissenting. 22 shifts confusingly between distinct questions timeliness raised Inc.1 involves effect rights directly prerequisite interest consistently contended barred intervene. Assuming second broader discretionary concept apparently basis 23 713 (1974), "suspended pendency strip character." 561, 770 (emphasis added). Time status, nonclass remaining A straightforward reading leads tolled "only Under Thus, reflect supplement novel tolling status. new (will) representatives." Ante, 394. find justification extension, precedent policy. 25 Today's represents marked departure established law law, long "within appeal." 396. emphasized 365-366, 2602, 648 (1973), eliminated. 26 purports distinguish "to claim" 392. relevance undisputed factual distinction explained, major themes identified opinion: First, justified relying taking second, end These common analytical weakness, namely, unwillingness consequences words Committee drafted amendment thereby action." ordinary petitioner.2 27 analysis, "critical fact" "once appealable," "as (to her) Pervading assumption somehow continued supported neither text history 23. contrary, sources converts Reliance representatives misplaced. obligation class. Pearson Ecological Science Corp., 522 171 (C.A.5 1975). Pell, dissenting below "a point puts act rights." 922 (C.A.7 1976). casual treatment prejudice reflects persisted fully attempting resolve dispute Having achieved settlement case, reopen true existed, misconceives petitioner's law. suggested concedes "(t)he " 393. chosen settle it. great force claims, "could class" occurred earlier. Brief 15. Although decided Court,3 answer principle clear. typically moots issues associated C. Wright, A. Miller, E. Cooper, Practice Procedure 3533, 271 (1975). sharply distinguishable cases Sosna Iowa, 419 393, 95 532 (1975), Franks Bowman Transp. 424 747, 96 1251, 47 (1976), where whose claims moot continue represent classes. cases, Courts previously classes, giving them legal separate interest(s) asserted (the plaintiffs)." 399, 557. presents precisely opposite situation: prior extinguished representative capacity. 29 Considerations militate strongly reached tradition respect statutes values serve. legislative enactments "are vital welfare society are favored law," "promote repose security stability human affairs" "stimulate activity punish negligence." Wood Carpenter, 101 135, 139, L.Ed. 807 (1879). When "plaintiff slept his rights," otherwise meritorious ensure "fairness defendants" relieve burden (on courts) trying stale claims." Burnett York Central 380 424, 428, 85 1050, 1054, 941 (1965). Statutes "make lapse time." Guaranty Trust States, 304 126, 136, 58 785, 790, 82 1224 (1938). nevertheless rewards delay asserting rights. injustice ill serves need repose. ignores important "principle '(s)ettlement agreements highly upheld whenever possible means amicably resolving doubts preventing lawsuits.' F.2d, 176, quoting D. H. Overmyer Loflin, 440 1213, 1215 1971). Settlements particularly serve public confines 'there emphasis elimination unfair practices without litigation.' Lines Stewards 455 101, 109 1972), Oatis Crown Zellerbach 398 496, 498 1968). deter settlements uncertainty nullified persons judgment.4 31 suggests adherence precautionary interventions guard fail producing very 'multiplicity designed avoid.' 394 n. 15, But, shown, eliminate multiplicity denied.5 32 view, analysis these follows: regarding If whole part, begins excluded rights, individuals (or possibly own) expires. district allow according 24, interpreted (1973). light substantial deference seeking allowing intervention. approach, premium placed combined 23(c)(1) "(a)s practicable action," approach contours early enable concerning expeditiously, speeding ultimate resolution. today encourages result. generally 1194, 1197-1201 (C.A.7). provision 2000e-5(e), stated charge reference state local agency, unable secure voluntary compliance, "shall notify aggrieved civil may, thirty thereafter, brought" charging party. extended 90 1972. 2000e(f)(1) ed., 23(a)(1) lists maintenance numerous joinder impracticable." Circuit, reviewable right Anschul Sitmar Cruises, 544 1364. Even assume, arguendo, recognizing so-called death-knell doctrine, permits immediate determinations suits uneconomical, available lawsuit, sufficiently permit proceed, did, basis. 7A Wright 1802, pp. 271-277 (1972); id., 129-130 (Supp.1977). affirmance remanded further proceedings. recommended over $10,000 damages, approved 517 387, 389-390, 392 (CA 7). Albemarle Paper Moody, 422 405, 2362, 45 280, clear, full "may exhaustion administrative procedures 8, 2370. Transportation 771, 1267, 444. 24(b) provides: "Upon anyone may applicant's defense main common. exercising discretion shall unduly adjudication parties." 541-542, 760. supra. complaining ordinarily 180 occurrence discriminatory act. 2000e-5(e) Once process exhausted sends complainant letter, receipt 2000e-5(f)(1) V), discussed 2, nearly three passed action, theory whichever thought one. Shapiro, Some Thoughts Intervention Before Courts, Agencies, Arbitrators, 81 Harv.L.Rev. 721, 727 (1968) ("It feasible desirable break down into given some all"). unlawful alleged enforcement plainly uniform companywide applied stewardesses. S.Rep.No.92-415, (1971) ("(T)itle actions nature complaints"), cited S.Ct, 2370 8. See, e. g., Share Properties G., 538 279, 283 (C.A.9); Zenith Laboratories, Inc. Carter-Wallace, 530 508, 512 (C.A.3); Penn San Juan Hospital, 528 1181, 1188-1190 (C.A.10); Bailey Ryan Stevedoring 551, 553-554 (C.A.5); Stone Container 524 1058, 1061-1063 (C.A.8); Paton La Prade, 862, 874-875 Haynes Logan Furniture Mart, 503 1161, 1162-1165 (C.A.7); Galvan Levine, 490 1255, 1260-1262 (C.A.2); Roberts Union 487 387 (C.A.6); Esplin Hirschi, 402 (C.A.10). surprised having settled nonetheless faced negotiation impeded like permitted. characterization resolution "settlement" slightly misleading. course opposing counsel disposition complaints. came partial summary about liability decision. All computation backpay, guiding principles Sprogis. merely less weeks incorporated necessarily "concern(ed) evidence, memories, witnesses suit." 562, 770, (BLACKMUN, J., concurring). There discarded evidence prejudiced. move shortly superfluous spectator years, see 4, Moreover, induce protective determination. "multiplicity avoid." 765. 757 9, 76 1260. closely Brake Shoe Foundry Interborough Rapid Transit 162 (S.D.N.Y.). reorganization consolidation Manhattan Elevated Railway. Mannheim, owner series bonds Railway, participated representing own acting "attorney owners bonds. equitable, subsequently ordered implementation, Mannheim He abandon surrender pursuant terms plan. holders bonds, attorney-in-fact, prosecuting nonsurrendering bondholders. Noting "essential administration our system justice, litigants day court" brought, 164. Pellegrino Nesbit, 203 463 (C.A.9), bar. corporation corporate officers 16(b) Securities Exchange 1934, 78p(b), recovery short-swing profits. defendants, failed shareholder Appeals, reversing 465-466. Post-judgment even nature, direct participation phase. Hodgson Mine Workers, 153 U.S.App.D.C. 407, 417-419, 473 118, 129; Smuck Hobson, 132 372, 378-379, 408 175, 181-182; Zuber Allen, 128 297, Hobson Hansen, 44 18, 29-30, (D.C.); Wolpe Portesky, 79 141, 144, 144 505, 508; States Casualty Taylor, 64 521, 526-527 (C.A.4). Insofar terminated September then-existing "no marriage" May 1970. December 1972, intervened Discovery discussion followed, initial able claims. On 1975 almost dismissing "matters resolved." App. 90-92. 21, 1975, purposes point, agreement, preceding although aware entire situation. quotes (E.D.Pa.1968), proposition 'be members.' resolved irrelevant us. None ante, 393 14, Pell noted, especially costly case: "It note immediately denied, ago. Furthermore, assuming failure protest lacked requisite proceed chose sit back others assume costs risks attempts revive dead through another finally satisfaction (dissenting opinion). likely concerned frequently placing hopes

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