Legal Document

456 U.S. 273 102 Supreme Court Reporter 1781 72 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 66 PULLMAN-STANDARD, a Division of Pullman, Incorporated, Petitioner,v.Louis SWINT and Willie Johnson, etc. UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA, AFL-CIO, et al., Petitioners versus Louis James Johnson. Nos. 80-1190, 80-1193. Argued Jan. 19, 1982. Decided April 27, Syllabus Respondent black employees brought suit in Federal District against petitioners, their employer certain unions, alleging that Title VII the Civil Rights Act 1964 was violated by seniority system, maintained petitioners. The found differences terms, conditions, or privileges employment resulting from system "are 'not result an intention to discriminate' because race color" held, therefore, satisfied requirements § 703(h) Act. That section provides it shall not be unlawful practice for apply different compensation standards "pursuant bona fide . provided such are discriminate race." Appeals reversed, holding treatment under resulted intent thus 703(h). Although recognizing Rule Procedure 52(a) requires Court's findings fact set aside unless clearly erroneous, concluded finding discrimination nondiscrimination "ultimate fact" court would review making "an independent determination [the] allegations discrimination, though bound subsidiary which themselves erroneous." Held: erred course its judgment. Pp. 276-293. (a) Under 703(h), showing disparate impact alone is insufficient invalidate even may perpetuate pre-Act discrimination. Absent discriminatory purpose, operation if has some consequences. 276-277. (b) does divide into those deal with "ultimate" "subsidiary" facts. While conclusions law, here faulted applying erroneous definition intentional Rather, reversed arriving at what thought as whether differential reflected on account purposes question pure fact, subject 52(a)'s clearly-erroneous standard. Discriminatory means actual motive; legal presumption drawn factual something less than motive. Thus, appeals only reverse district court's concludes 52(a). 285-290. (c) correctly stated controlling standard 52(a), conclusion challenged unprotected product improper consideration totality circumstances record. When had failing consider relevant evidence, improperly made own based evidence. error relieved usual requirement remanding further proceedings tribunal charged task factfinding first instance. 290-293. 624 Reporter, 2nd 525, remanded. Michael Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Gottesman, Washington, D. C., Elaine R. Jones, respondents. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. 1 Respondents were Bessemer, Ala., plant petitioner Pullman-Standard (the Company), manufacturer railway freight cars parts. They Company union petitioners—the Steelworkers America, AFL-CIO-CLC, Local 1466 (collectively USW) violations 1964, amended, 78 Statutes-at-Large 253, 42 Code KF62 2000e seq. (1976 ed. Supp.IV), 1981.1 As they come here, these cases involve validity, VII, USW. "that conditions [from system] color," App. Pet. Certiorari Number Page A-147 (hereinafter App.), Fifth Circuit reversed: 2 "Because we find workers white race, hold legally valid 2000e-2(h)." 533-534 (1980). 3 We granted petitions certiorari filed USW Company, 451 906, 101 1972, 68 293 (1981), limited presented each petition: "clearly erroneous" rule reviewing arrived after lengthy trial, motivation parties who negotiated system; below applied wrong criteria determining fides system. conclude accordingly judgment remand proceedings. 4 * broad remedial measure, designed "to assure equality opportunities." McDonnell Douglas Corporation Green, 411 792, 800, 93 1817, 1823, 36 668 (1973). bar overt "but also practices fair form, but operation." Griggs Duke Power Co., 401 424, 431, 91 849, 853, 28 158 (1971). "Thus, repeatedly held prima facie violation established policies neutral face nonetheless effect particular group." Teamsters States, 431 324, 349, 97 1843, 1861, 52 396 (1977) Teamsters). Act's systems, however, establishes exception general principles. Section 257, forth 2000e-2(h), pertinent part: 5 "Notwithstanding any other provision this subchapter, compensation, pursuant section, In Trans World Airlines, Incorporated Hardison, 432 63, 82, 2264, 2275, 53 113 (1977), summarized follows: "[A]bsent cannot consequences." challenge will require trial issue intent: Was adopted racially impact? 6 This precisely happened cases. Following our decision Teamsters, new "instituted contrary 1964." A-125.2 concluded, noted above discuss below, wholly intent. reversed. II 7 submit failed comply command erroneous. describe Appeals. 8 Certain facts common ground both Company's Bessemer unionized early 1940's. Both before unionization, divided number operational departments.3 sought represent all production maintenance elected 1941 bargaining representative unit consisting most employees. At same time, IAM became five departments.4 Between 1944, ceded transfer, white. 9 Throughout period representation USW, approximately half black. Prior 1965, openly pursued policy job assignments. Most departments contained more one category mixed. There no lines progression promotion within departments. 10 1954.5 agreement, measured length continuous service department.6 Seniority originally exercised layoffs hirings 1956, formally recognized promotional well. Again, seniority, exceptions, departments; transferring forfeited seniority. remained virtually unchanged until 1971.7 11 approached manner suggested Stockham Valves & Fittings 559 310 (1977). There, "the development examining issue." F.2d, 352. were, view, four factors should focus on.8 12 First, must determine "operates discourage equally between units." Ibid. "was facially races ethnic groups." A-132. there charges racial application, "not substantiated evidence." Id., A-133. It "applied uniformly employees, white, that, given equal two groups, quantitatively well." A-134.9 13 Second, examine rationality departmental structure, upon relies, light industry practice. James, supra, linking "departmental age" modal form agreements generally, well manufacturers railroad equipment particular." A-137. Furthermore, basic arrangement rationally related nature work "consistent generally followed plants throughout country." A-136 questions could raised about necessity divisions, division grew out historical unrelated discrimination.10 unionization did produce all-white unit, "cannot bias response situation. [USW] workers, plant." A-145. Nor have existed IAM: 14 "The company properly took 'hands-off' approach towards establishment election units bargained unions afforded representational status NLRB so without animus." A-146. 15 Third, "whether genesis discrimination," 352, meant relationship practices. ample union,11 way practices: 16 when segregation certainly being practiced; itself bias. rather came colorblind objectives which—unlike structures institutions era—was arm segregated society. foster practiced custom A-144. 17 Finally, been free illegal purpose." Stating "carefully considered detailed record negotiation sessions contracts span thirty-five years," A-146, untainted purpose. although focused carrying analysis required looked entire "totality attack." A-147. 18 addressed test reached opposite conclusion. putting qualitative blacks concentrated dominated whites, considering "equally" whites blacks.12 purported correction evidence evaluated. 19 rejected structure rational, line practice, reflect Its discussion brief focuses role characteristics unique plant. concluded: 20 indicates arbitrary creation since attendant adverse affect [sic] workers. individual plants, compared indicative attempts maintain one-race departments." 532. 21 reaching conclusion, purport correcting error, nor refer expressly 22 "genesis" motives relevant.13 part excluding stop there, however. went acting specifically Court—and "considerations permeated adoption subsequent negotiations thereafter." 23 Fourth, despite third factor then recited, respect 24 announced "[h]aving carefully reviewed offered show present case 'bona fide' meaning reject finding." 533. Elaborating disagreement, stated: 25 "An surrounding continuance leaves us definite firm conviction mistake made. doubt, case, existence obvious principal aim I.A.M. exclude unit. 26 goal ultimately maneuvers U.S.W. U.S.W., interest increased membership, acquiesced while succeeding significantly segregating 27 might I.A.M.'s due consideration." (footnote omitted). Having finding, protected 703(h): 29 "We significant up, various all-black time certification years thereafter, affected renegotiation extent no-transfer locked least remunerative positions company. Because 533-534. 30 connection assertion convinced made, Appeals, footnote, referred 533, n. 6.14 pointed out, view principles, apply, stand." quoting East Romine, Inc., 518 332, 339 (CA5 1975), repeated following appellate function where purposeful issue: 31 " 'Although vel non essentially is, ultimate resolution proscribed Annotated KF65 U5 2000e-2(a). such, non-discrimination fact. [Cites omitted.] findings, proceed make appellant's erroneous.' 6. III 32 Pointing statement similar statements coming court,15 petitioners agree seems accepted Circuit, reversed.16 33 broadly exceptions categories obligation accept categories; particular, 34 law. quite right saying rest basis. But misunderstanding discrimination.17 race. question, see it, law mixed 35 previously vexing distinction See Baumgartner 322 665, 671, 64 1240, 1243, 88 L.Ed. 1525 (1944). furnish guidance distinguishing do yet know principle unerringly distinguish For reasons follow, little doubt 703(h)'s discriminate. Treating issues matters trier commonplace. Dayton Board Education Brinkman, 443 526, 534, 99 2971, 2977, 61 720 (1979), defendants intentionally school specified past. factual, rule. Commissioner Duberstein, 363 278, 80 1190, 1218 (1960), criterion identifying gift applicable Internal Revenue motive donor—"one inquires reason his conduct fact." 286, S.Ct., 1197. Resolution determined Yellow Cab 338 338, 341, 70 177, 179, 94 150 (1949), antitrust "[f]indings design, men act" peculiarly therefore 52. 37 Black's dissent approach. Relying Griffith, 334 100, 941, 92 1236 (1948), he argued always necessary prove "specific intent" restrain trade; enough restraint consequence defendant's business arrangements. Such approach, precluded challenging systems. Differentials among sense, say presumed impact. construed grounds appears 38 matter.18 assert, court; kind allow satisfy concept intent.19 Insofar assumed otherwise, erred. IV 39 directly defend 52(a).20 things, and, appropriate, setting position force, persuasive. 40 acknowledged acknowledgment late opinion. disagreeing deemed (1977).21 paragraph finally strongly suggests outcome 41 Second fundamentally, identified source mistake. failure recognize relevance IAM. Had "given consideration," "might conclusion." Supra, 284. discerns permit missing findings: 43 "[F]actfinding responsibility courts, resolved instance dispute Court." DeMarco 415 449, 450, n., 1185, 1186, 501 (1974).22 44 Likewise, infirm proper permits issue. Kelley Southern Pacific 419 318, 331-332, 95 472, 479-480, 498 (1974). All elementary. Yet indicating significance, any, itself. Instead, IAM, conduct, apparently foregoing sufficient remove protection 703(h).23 45 Proceeding incredible well-established authority arrive strictures said, premise infirm: not, matter follows 46 Accordingly, remanded consistent 47 So ordered. 48 STEVENS, concurring part. 49 Except preliminary comments burden sustaining "any VII," ante, 277, inconsistent views N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions expressed separately American Tobacco Patterson, 86, 1534, 1547, 71 748, join 50 MARSHALL, whom BLACKMUN joins except Part I, dissenting. 51 1971, group Negro Pullman-Standard's class action Pullman-Standard, America (USW), International Association Machinists 372 (IAM). plaintiffs alleged, inter alia, discriminated Negroes 1866, 1981. 1974, Northern Alabama operate Negroes. A unanimous panel ruled committed several errors including give weight relied patently inaccurate conclusions. Swint 539 77, 95-96 (1976). On remand, again immune attack respondents Ante, 275. unanimously 525 majority now reverses Circuit's second pay homage rule, Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. concluding majority's another application respectfully dissent. premises assumption 'absent consequences.' indicated, anything statutory language legislative history support proposition immunizes perpetuates past does, simply unable demonstrate satisfaction invidious 377-394, 1875-1884 (opinion J.). my opinion, placing systems admitted impact, never imposed civil suits frustrates Congress effectively "freeze[s] generation patterns Act." Quarles Philip Morris, 279 F.Supp. 505, 516 (ED Va.1968) (Butzner, Even impose novel plaintiffs, still concur abide asserts ignored disagree. principles rejecting purpose compelled 54 concedes, must, "Court 52(a)." 290. footnote plainly states overturned either "made principles." notes, 283, justified stating: made." 533 (emphasis added; omitted).1 frankly am loss understand how precision clarity. 55 rejects Appeals' clear articulation implementation apparent included quotation prior (1975): 56 omitted]. 57 reference read negating unambiguous "controlling 52." bases affirmative answer factors. contends respected supplied "came opinion." "identified mistake" felt mistake." 291. If really abided "usual fact-finding instance." 293. 58 Neither arguments justifies fourth merits. aware embraced places dispositive accurate "early" suggest basis interpretation. long acknowledges standard, think irrelevant chooses beginning end heart argument, "bona fide" follow Before addressing issue, "intent" procedure courts intent, adhered case. 59 examined approved cert. denied, 434 1034, 98 767, 781 (1978), intent,2 today implicitly proof satisfies Teamsters.3 agrees can circumstantial 289; Arlington Heights Metropolitan Housing Dev. Corp., 429 252, 266, 267, 555, 563, 564, 450 60 Given inquiry, correct parties. This, acknowledges, "legal" perform 282, 283. supported holds today, dictates sets determine, judicial economy, "permits 1792. possible, Bigelow Virginia, 421 809, 826-827, 2222, 2234-35, 600 (1975); Levin Mississippi River Fuel 386 162, 170, 87 927, 932, 834 (1967). common-sense reading demonstrates concedes "legal error" resolving With inhibits units—the "locked" discouraging transfers. suffer greater company's previous maintaining "Negro" jobs "white" caused desirable positions. operated neutrally. jobs. 62 Similarly, factor—whether discrimination—the respondents' argument relevant. "motives 1942 discrimination." 532.4 63 'are stand.' 285, 6; 323, 475, (1974); General Motors 384 127, 141, 16, 86 1321, 1328, (1966); Singer Manufacturing 374 174, 194, 9, 83 1773, 1783, 823 (1963); Parke, Davis 362 29, 44, 503, 511, 505 (1960); Rowe 457 348, 356, 1972). rule.5 once aside, rejected, determinations concerning very least, entitled reexamining standards. However, often noted, inappropriate susceptible reasonable 534-537, 2977-78, (1979); 2234-2235. cases, "[e]ffective administration" draw inescapable itself, needless U.S., 932. particularly appropriate good evaluate court. major behind deference "depend credit witnesses hear them." (1949); Oregon State Medical Society, 343 326, 690, 695, 96 978 (1952). Indeed importance stating "due regard opportunity judge credibility witnesses." Consequently, especially reluctant resolve depend witnesses. 179. 65 entirely documentary evidence.6 customary demeanor witnesses, rationale ., plays restricted [in] 'paper case.' Jennings 604 1300, 1305 (CA10 1979) ("When documentary, oral carry review"); Orvis Higgins, 180 537, (CA2 1950).7 believe three factors, overwhelming ruling acknowledging significance company, disproportionate demonstrated 'operat[e] units.' 530, noting "[n]o credible explanation ha[d] advanced sufficiently justify" separate Die Tool Departments Maintenance Departments, condition plant, all-Negro years, satisfied.8 recognized, "crystal considerations 532.9 67 After Court, "There fail function, prolong 11-year quest vindication rights requiring trial. original complaint, besides discussed alleged assignments promotions post publicly list changes These "class" issues. Two brought. selecting foremen. granting certiorari, declined aspects decision. procedural complex. complaint 1971. Since tried times twice 1941, By 1954, Aerospace Workers (IAM) units. 1954. Brotherhood Electrical (IBEW) gained small IBEW IBEW, however decertified 1946 members re-absorbed department represented initial collective-bargaining agreement 1942. 1947 changed occupations back base. 1972 (see 7, infra), request electing transfer lieu layoff. entered Department Labor bring compliance Executive Order 11246, Regulations (1964-1965 Comp.). limit allowing inter-departmental transfers passage 355-356, 1864-1865: litigation fide. applies groups. To 'locks' non-line-driver jobs, all. drivers accord National Relation precedents. conceded exhaustive relative concentrated. believed inquiry earlier process divisions evolving "[u]nion meetings conducted sides hall members, social functions segregated." A-142. found, "[w]hile possessing trappings taken otherwise society, local few area segregation; rather, served joint higher priority considerations." A-143. appear actually difference irrelevant. "By ranking twenty-eight according perceived order desirability, attempt measure somewhat certain." A-134. mention received leave amend add defendant, "insofar relief requested infringe provisions Union's collective Company." June 4, 1974 (App. 29). Gypsum 333 364, 395, 541, 746 characterized "A 'clearly erroneous' left committed." note quoted Jackson City Killeen, 654 1181, 1184 (1981); Payne McLemore's Wholesale Retail Stores, 1130, 1147 Wilkins University Houston, 388, 390 Lindsey Research Development Center, 652 488, 492 Rohde K. O. Steel Castings, 649 317, 320 Joshi Florida University, 646 981, 986 Phillips Joint Legislative Committee, 637 1014, 1024 Danner Service Comm'n, 635 427, 430-431 Thompson Leland Police Dept., 633 1111, 1112 (1980); Crawford Western Electric 614 1311 Burdine Texas Dept. Community Affairs, 608 566 Williams Tallahassee Motors, 607 689, 690 Parson Kaiser Aluminum Chemical 575 1374, 1382 (1978); Causey Ford Motor 416, 420-421 338-339 (1975). indication opinions 15, supra) facts" fact—the "fact" statutory, determinative (here, discrimination) indicated text, address unmixed considerations. occasion independently reviewable. (1944), lower convincing sustain denaturalization decree. exacting unreviewable assess. involved appraisal strength body said clear-and-convincing-proof "would lost" ascertainment whole "facts open here." 1243. roots Baumgartner. Galena Oaks Scofield, 218 217 1954), gain derived sale houses treated capital ordinary income, 421, relying "although case" 339, now, rested Whatever facts," surely mean whenever turns need remain constraints Baumgartner's fact—as context—but impl[y] law." above, points viewed presence justify additional Infra, 291-292. See, e.g., Furnco Construction Waters, 438 567, 580, 2943, 2951, 957 (1978): "Proof [an employer's] force balanced disproportionately high percentage minority decided." much-mooted applicability fact—i.e., established, undisputed, put way, violated. substantial Circuits question. Compare ex rel. Johnson 531 169, (CA3 1976); Stafos Jarvis, 477 369, 1973); Salisbury, 448 374, 377 (CA6 1971), Rogers Bates, (CA8 1970); Pennsylvania Casualty McCoy, 167 132, 133 1948). decisions reviewable court, Bogardus Commissioner, 302 34, 39, 61, 64, 82 (1937); Helvering Tex-Penn Oil 300 481, 491, 569, 573, 81 755 Rankin, 295 123, 131, 732, 736, 79 1343 (1935). cf., 289, 1198, Heininger, 467, 249, 254, 171 (1943). contend inapplicable contends, rational practice—the evidentiary appeared examination dealing tainted intentions overturn 5A Judge Moore Lucas, Moore's Practice 52.06[2] (1982) ("Where fails material appeal taken, normally vacate made"); Assn. Bridge Workers, 568 558, 1978); Chicano Officer's Stover, 552 918, 921 1977); O'Neal Gresham, 519 803, 805 (CA4 1975); Burch 433 561 Credit Robbins, 414 208 1969). IAM's motivation, existed, imputed shed creating control true, acquiescence equivalent 284-285, 14, committed" added). Contrary suggestion, 279, n.8, nothing imply constitute seem since, summary 1864-1865. 292, 23, "relevant case." participated establishing perpetuating satisfied. party litigation, participation hardly Only testified during hearing long-time behalf testimony remainder consisted 139 exhibits submitted respondents, 1940 through 1970's. "document" (1963). "when rests incorrect undisputed document, [the appellate] substitute document." Eutectic Metco, 579 1, 1978). McKensie Sea Land Service, 551 Best Medium Pub. Insider, 385 (CA7 1967), 955, 1052, 1150 (1968); Binion O'Brien, 495 1959), 812, 1249, 1154 (1960). "refer standard" 282 added), adherence nevertheless statement: next twenty carved objective races." acknowledgement 296-297 Whether stated, Pullman-Standard." 533; id., 532 ("It crystal thereafter"), ("We ."). assuming

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