Legal Document

431 U.S. 553 97 Supreme Court Reporter 1885 52 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 571 UNITED AIR LINES, INC., Petitioner,v.Carolyn Judge EVANS. Number 76-333. Argued March 29, 1977. Decided May 31, Syllabus Where respondent female flight attendant failed to file a timely claim against petitioner airline for violation of Title VII the Civil Rights Act 1964 when her employment was terminated in 1968 pursuant later invalidated policy because she got married, held not commit present, continuing by refusing credit respondent, after rehiring 1972, with pre-1972 seniority, absent any allegation that petitioner's seniority system, which is neutral its operation, discriminates former employees or victims past discrimination. Franks versus Bowman Transportation Co., 424 747, 96 1251, 47 444, distinguished. Moreover, § 703(h) VII, provides it shall be an unlawful practice apply different terms bona fide system if disparity result intentional discrimination, bars respondent's claim, attack on fides charge intentionally designed discriminate race, color, religion, sex, national origin. Pp. 557-560. 7 Cir., 534 Federal Reporter, 2nd 1247, reversed. Stuart Bernstein, Chicago, Ill., petitioner. Alan M. Levin, Evanston, pro hac vice, special leave Court. Mr. Justice STEVENS delivered opinion 1 Respondent employed Air Lines as from November 1966 February 1968. She rehired 1972. Assuming, alleges, separation violated 1964,1 question now presented whether employer committing second period prior 2 filed charges Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 1973 alleging discriminated and continues female. After receiving letter granting right sue, commenced this action District Northern Illinois. Because dismissed complaint, facts has alleged are taken true. They may simply stated. 3 (1) During initial employment, maintained allow attendants married.2 When married 1968, therefore forced resign. Although subsequently decided such resignation Sprogis Lines, 444 1194 (CA7 1971), cert. denied, 404 991, 92 536, 30 543, party case did initiate proceedings own filing EEOC within 90 days separation.3 A based discriminatory act barred.4 4 In entered into new collective-bargaining agreement ended pre-existing "no marriage" rule provided reinstatement certain who had been rule. covered agreement. On several occasions unsuccessfully sought reinstatement; 16, hired employee. personnel carried same number purposes treated though no service United.5 other were given United, United's administration covering employment.6 5 Informal requests having action.7 The holding failure caused time barred foreclosed relief under VII.8 6 divided panel Appeals initially affirmed; then, our decision granted petition rehearing unanimously 1247 1976). We certiorari, 429 917, 308, 50 282, hold complaint properly dismissed. (2) recognizes too late obtain occurred contends, however, guilty timely.9 advances two reasons illegally her: First, less favorably than males termination re-employment 1972; second, gives present effect illegal perpetuates consequences forbidden Neither argument persuades us presently violating statute. 8 It true some male total have more she. But consequence their sex. For females between 1972 also acquired preference over during period. both resigned nondiscriminatory reason (or unchallenged reason), re-employed, service. Nothing indicates treats existing differently employees, differentiates way females. allege similarly situated basis 9 (3) correct pointing out entitled treat lawful discrimination then allowed 706(d). made legal equivalent before statute passed. constitute relevant background evidence proceeding status current at issue, but separately considered, merely unfortunate event history consequences. 10 emphasizes fact violation. does indeed impact pay fringe benefits. emphasis should placed mere continuity; critical exists. discharged non-discriminatory reason. short, operation.10 11 Our supra, control case. we retroactive appropriate remedy awarded 706(g) 42 Code KF62 2000e-5(g) (1970 ed., Supp. V), proved, U.S., 762-768, S.Ct., 1263-1266. reached Court, issues relating timeliness charge11 VII12 already decided; dealt only remedy. contrast, do reach issue establishing since 1972.13 12 difference highlighted analysis Franks.14 As case, section bar award proved. Rather, "delineates practices thereby prohibited not," 758, 1261. 13 (4) That expressly Since makes origin, additional ground rejecting claim. 14 (5) read intended acts effective date 1965,15 application attacks occurring 1965. This reading narrow. foreclose operation systems subject challenge discriminatory. predicated significance affected calculation credit, even might one justified valid employer. contrary view would substitute almost every limitations. Such contravene mandate 703(h). 15 judgment 16 so ordered. 17 MARSHALL, whom BRENNAN joins, dissenting. 18 Carolyn Evans enjoy all rights seeks through litigation. Petitioner denied those awarding choicest jobs possessing credential women unlawfully prevented acquiring: continuous tenure United. While perhaps inartfully drawn,1 adequately draws United's. 19 stated Court's my separate, Teamsters States, 324, 378, 1843, 1875, 396, & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions think indisputable that, 703(h), here "unlawful practice" 2000e-2(a)(2) V). And developed length separate Teamsters, ante, 381-394, 1878-1885, believe immunize perpetuate post-Act 20 remaining Ms. Evans' applicable limitations, 2000e-5(e) Her cause accrued, all, recomputed rehired. apparently 180 determined, violations, once commenced, nature. these instances, discriminatees can up ceases. (They can, receive backpay years preceding Commission. V).) instant treating employee wrongfully resign day. Respondent's barred, reinstating affirmed.2 78 Statutes-at-Large 253. amended, codified 2000e et seq. ed. At required female, except flights mainland Hawaii overseas military charter flights. See 1194, 1203 1971) (Stevens, J., dissenting); 543. Section 706(d), 260, 2000e-5(e), part: "A subsection (a) ninety . ." amendments added 706. Consequently, (d) redesignated (e). amended enlarge limitations days. 86 105, Timely prerequisite maintenance action. Alexander Gardner-Denver 415 36, 47, 94 1011, 1019, 39 147. Electrical Workers Robbins Myers, Inc., 229, 239-240, 441, 448-449, 427. rolls. "company" "system" dates day rehired, "stewardess" "pay" completed training, One types determine attendant's wages; duration timing vacations; retention layoffs thereafter; preferential selection assignments. App. 5-6, 10. Under provisions Line Stewardesses Flight Stewards represented Pilots Association International 1972-1974, irrevocably lost broken "who resigns whose services Company permanently severed just cause." Brief 6. requested included starting "lost (United)." 8. brief states rehiring, consist increment benefits attributable lower time. 4. recited motion Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 12(b)(1) jurisdiction time-barred district held, reason, ripe dismissal Rule 12(b)(6). stated: "Plaintiff asserts defendant's denial back original 1966, currently perpetuating "Plaintiff, suffering 'continuing' seeking court reinstate November, solely February, resignation. irrelevant plaintiff opportunity redress grievance subsequent cannot operate resuscitate claim." 18. rely single failing assign 21, 1973, year limit days; 24, extended days, see n. 3, supra. involve deterred asserting VII. raised so-called departmental cases See, e. g., Quarles Philip Morris, 279 F.Supp. 505 (ED Va.1968). disposed Franks, 495 398, 405 (CA5 1974). finding Appeals, id., 402, 403, assumed 750, 1257. noted Franks: "The underlying wrong affecting (the class) racially hiring system." Id., greater job applicant like violate continued adherence illegal. 257, 2000e-2(h), provides: "Notwithstanding provision title, standards compensation, terms, conditions, privileges merit differences intention origin F.2d, 1251. lack 12(b)(1), ruling barred. Thus, closely resembles state upon granted, "it appears beyond doubt prove set support (her) entitle relief." Conley Gibson, 355 41, 45-46, 99, 101-102, 80 (1957). is, course, establish entitlement relief, will EEOC. sufficient defeat never able "practices, procedures, tests (which) 'freeze' quo practices," Griggs Duke Power 401 424, 430, 91 849, 853, 28 158 (1971), holds impermissible, legislative 103, Congress agrees, 391-393, 1883-1884 (MARSHALL, concurring part dissenting part). backpay, wrongs.

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