Legal Document

414 U.S. 614 94 Supreme Court Reporter 747 39 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 38 Jean CHRISTIAN and Victor L. Green, Appellants,v.NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, DIVISION EMPLOYMENT, et al. Number 72—5704. Argued Nov. 13, 1973. Decided Jan. 21, 1974. Syllabus Appellants, former federal probationary employees who were denied benefits under the Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees Program brought this action in District seeking declaratory injunctive relief against provisions of its implementing regulations that they contended operated to deny them a hearing on factual basis their removal from service, purpose determining eligibility state law unemployment compensation. They claimed Act requires such and, alternatively, denial deprived due process equal protection. A three-judge held statute does not require contest employing agency's findings; dismissed constitutional claims defendants lack subject-matter jurisdiction; did violate Due Process or Equal Protection Clauses. Held: Any decision upon appellants' statutory would be premature view fact record disclose agency, notifying appellants adverse determinations, informed them, as it was required do by applicable regulation, 'right additional information reconsideration correction' findings agencies; invoked available procedure entitling request agencies 'to reconsider correct' those findings. The Court's dismissal suit both is therefore vacated with directions court determine whether should permitted invoke administrative procedures. Pp. 618—624. 347 F.Supp. 1158, vacated. E. Richard Larson, New York City, appellants. Mark Evans, Washington, D.C., appellees. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion Court. 1 discharged employees, compensation State Department Labor, an 'agent States' agreement Secretary Labor administration (UCFE) Program, 5 Code KF62 § 8501 seq. Appellants class agency Southern York, joining which charged overall responsibility program, Post Office Treasury, are agencies. 2 alleged had based determinations made ex parte agencies, refused afford either appellant at he she could attempt result, claimed, deprivation any opportunity heard, violation UCFE statutes Fifth Fourteenth Amendments. sought certification representatives persons similarly situated, convening court, declaratory, injunctive, mandamus relief. 3 viewed attack 8506(a),1 which, inter alia, makes 'final conclusive' promulgated, pursuant 8508, enforce program.2 convened. That reported 1158 (1972), first examined claim 8506(a) receive Next, noted jurisdiction over been only 28 1361, providing actions. Holding 1361 will support challenge statute, jurisdiction.3 Finally, turning defendants, apparently assuming purposes argument constitutionally hearing, treated asserting was, effect, 4 We probable appeal, 411 930, 93 1904, 36 389 (1973). premature. cannot discover 20 Regulations 609.20, Nor can we 609.23, 'findings' Christian's employer, Department, Christian because excessive absences. Green's Green consuming alcoholic beverage within 24 hours going duty sky marshal. It clear neither afforded prior his her justifications discharge.4 Each then applied through Labor. As 8506, requested obtained each describing nature employment, including reasons discharge. On findings, officials initial determination qualified standards.5 6 find nothing whatever show compliance 609.20. All appears sent letter included (a) recitation no employment paid, (b) rule conclusion, (c) short summary (d) statement individual before impartial referee. Indeed, form appropriate cases private employee applicants, but tailored situation applicant given rights correction Secretary's regulations. 7 Appellant referee introduce evidence rebut credited evidence, recommended provided Appeals Board, however, reversed ground 8506 prohibited re-examination facts found agency. time filed, one.6 8 not, Board recognized, contemplate employer. But, while prohibiting facts, also re-examination: 9 'The (promulgated Labor) shall include provision errors omissions. Findings accordance final conclusive (state adjudication).' 10 promulgated plainly attach great significance right have stated crucial requirement triggers obligation imposed notify content notice 'shall (also) inform civilian findings.' Thereupon, may obtain concerning 609.22. Whether avails himself opportunity, file correction, 'together supports request, pending . ..' 609.23. Upon receipt must consider submitted employee, promptly correct omissions, affirm, modify, reverse original writing. 609.9. stay adjudicatory reconsideration, although conclusively bound §§ 609.23(a), 609.18(c), when applies own redetermine eligibility. 609.24(c), (d). 11 Appellants' contention works protection depriving thus misdirected. Congress has precluded forum, provide 'hearing' some dimensions conjunction mandated procedures reconsideration. more comprehensive than 609.22—609.24 now language Constitution—and intimate views questions—the implemented subject regulations, focal point inquiry.7 12 absence indication followed, our view, bar consideration validity true statutorily judicial review preclude used reach determination. See Cole versus Young, 351 536, 76 861, 100 L.Ed. 1396 (1956); Jaffe, Judicial Control Administrative Action 371—372 (1965). But there sound practical declining where apply challenged clearly jurisdiction. 13 most obvious relate economy. favorable merits moot objections employed. And 'it generally efficient go forward without interruption permit parties seek aid courts various intermediate stages,' McKart States, 395 185, 194, 89 1657, 1663, 23 194 (1969). 14 persuasive directly related presentation procedural claim, involving analogous remedies exhausted application merits. McGee 402 479, 91 1565, 29 47 (1971); Rosado Wyman, 397 397, 406 407, 90 1207, 1214—1215, 25 442 (1970). criticism, remedy 'ex parte' amply demonstrates point. requlations submits. Thus, question adversary proceeding, proceeding elaborate contend.8 hazardous scant us. appear capable accommodating kinds issues, requirements construed eye involved relationship. know stage what particular applied, credibility arise, how if do, even official responsible Removal these uncertainties case significantly advance resolution claims, occasioning cost them.9 15 failure notification fails satisfy 609.20 Without rights, hardly waived forum.10 Yet silent provided, otherwise. Under circumstances, vacate remand In case, retained docket following redetermination proceedings. 16 So ordered. 17 Dismissal remanded. APPENDIX TO OPINION THE COURT Title 20: Employees' Benefits 18 Part 609—Unemployment Civilian 19 s 609.1 Definitions. 'Federal agency' means department, governmental body instrumentality wholly partially owned individuals service. 21 (f) findings' (1) performed service during base period specified Form ES—931; (2) periods service; (3) individual's wages form; (4) termination 22 609.6 ES—931. Within work days after ES—931 make complete all copies form, transmit Secretary, appropriate, part thereof. If documents necessary completion assigned records center Records Center St. Louis center. give priority request. completed returned immediately estimated date returned. maintain control received enable ascertain number forms requesting unreturned forms. 26 609.7 Corrected 27 ascertains year ES—981 (sic) erroneous error corrected appropriate. 609.8 Answering requests information. 609.22 except inconsistent general policies followed separations security furnish writing authority understand correctly law. 30 609.9 31 609.23 supplied connection omissions reconsidered authority. 609.18 Finality 32 contradict resignation unless fair issue resignation. Such Civil Service Commission respect personnel action, 33 Additional considered so supplemented, conclusive, paragraph section. 34 affirmed, modified, 35 609.19 Determination entitlement. Entitlement. whose 609.15 employee's entitlement pay same amounts, terms, conditions 609.31 Virgin Islands lieu paragraph. 37 ES 931 12th day forwarded oath addition furnishing submits examination document issued (as example Standard 50 W—2) showing contains result change payments therewith adjusted therewith. 609.21 apply. Notice 40 609.31. manner claimants set forth sufficient detail wishes 41 Procedure obtaining 42 Request employee. needs order finding program specific finding. mailed concurrently timely appeal No scheduled receives requested. 43 (including Islands), determines contain 44 together program. 45 46 609.24 affected copy furnished 48 thereof 49 reviewing making appeal. correction. permits 51 609.25 Appeal 52 review, 609.18, extent other subsection provides: '(a) agreements subchapter, be, considers practicable subchapter. concerning— '(1) '(2) '(3) amount wages; '(4) prescribed Secretary. sections 8502(d) 8503(c) title. This covered subchapter II chapter.' pertinent Appendix opinion. holding. it, arguing lies act official, authorized Constitution, citing Garfield rel. Goldsby, 211 249, 62, 53 168 (1908). Alternatively, contend 1343(3) long joint participation officers color law, see Adickes S. Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Kress & Co., 398 144, 1598, 142 At oral Assistant Solicitor General stated: '(W)e (the) statute.' Tr. Oral Arg. 26. Brief Appellees n. 2. occasion address contentions hear defendants. There event disobeyed nondiscretionary command full hearing. infra, 621—622. Our directs availability unsuccessfully discharge 315.806. discharge, entitled resulted discrimination race, color, religion, sex, political persuasion, marital status, physical handicap, violated 315.805. Section 8502, U.S.C., provides part: '(b) paid amount, payable him section 8504 title '(d) extent.' 609.14; N.Y.Labor Law 500 (1965), McKinney's Consol.Laws, chapter 31. Both 593, includes grounds 'voluntary separation good cause' 'misconduct employment.' 620, id., 621, questions 624. note resigns must, 'afforded resignation,' conclusive. argues limiting opportunities resignees since 'will (their) reasons.' 28. litigation, way knowing protections includes, differs 'resignations' cover. '(C)onsideration circumstances begin precise government function well interest action.' Cafeteria Restaurant Workers Union McElroy, 367 886, 895, 81 1743, 1748, 1230 (1961). Morrissey Brewer, 408 471, 92 2593, 484 (1972); Bell Burson, 535, 1586, (1971). Cf. 196—197, 1664, suggested might barred passage time. limitation regard corrections 609.7, 'promptly error' one submission 'any erroneous.' independent obligation, regulation limits designed protect delay See, e.g., 609.6, 609.19(b). Compare 609.24(a), 609.24(d). Moreover, construction barring despite State's raise problems.

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