Legal Document

494 U.S. 820 110 S.Ct. 1566 108 L.Ed.2d 834 YELLOW FREIGHT SYSTEM, INC., Petitionerv.Colleen DONNELLY. No. 89-431. Argued Feb. 28, 1990. Decided April 17, Syllabus After respondent filed a charge against petitioner alleging employment discrimination in violation of Title VII the Civil Rights Act 1964, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued her Notice Right to Sue, which did not identify forum she might sue, but advise that must bring suit within 90 days. Within period, complaint an Illinois county court, had discriminated on basis sex State Human Act. motion dismiss—and outside 90-day period—respondent moved amend allege facts already pleaded also constituted VII. Petitioner removed case Federal District Court and dismiss, contending that, because state court lacked jurisdiction over claim, original filing could toll period. The rejected this contention and, after trial merits, entered judgment for respondent, Appeals affirmed. Held: courts do have exclusive actions. fact contains no language expressly confines federal or ousts their is strong evidence Congress intend divest concurrent jurisdiction. Although most legislators, judges, administrators who been involved enactment interpretation may expected such litigation would be processed exclusively courts, anticipation cannot overcome presumption, recently reaffirmed Tafflin v. Levitt, 493 455, 792, 107 887 inherent authority, are competent, adjudicate claims. Pp. 823-826. 874 F.2d 402 (C.A.7 1989), STEVENS, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Jeffrey Ivan Pasek, Philadelphia, Pa., petitioner. John J. Henely, Michael W. Rathsack, Chicago, Ill., respondent. Justice STEVENS 1 question presented whether civil actions brought under 78 Stat. 253, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq. (1982 ed.). We answered similar involving Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO), 18 §§ 1961-1968. (1990). For essentially reasons set forth opinion, we conclude authority 2 * Respondent qualified dock worker. Shortly moving Chicago Ridge, Illinois, 1982, applied work at petitioner's facility four blocks from home. company vacancies, assured first person hired when situation changed. maintained position response respondent's inquiries next 11/2 years, while it was hiring number men. only with (EEOC) 1984. 3 On March 15, 1985, EEOC Sue. notice "must so ninety (90) days" right lost. Plaintiff's Exh. B, App. 14. May 22, Circuit Cook County, Ill.Rev.Stat., ch. 68, ¶ 1-101 (1987). 4 dismiss ground exhausted administrative remedies. countered 1964. This amended complaint. argued limitation period claim.1 jurisdictional argument, Pet. Cert. A-35 A-39, 682 F.Supp. 374 (ND Ill.1988). Seventh (1989). Because other Courts held litigation,2 granted certiorari, 953, 363, 349 II 5 Under our "system dual sovereignty, consistently thus presumptively claims arising laws United States." Tafflin, U.S., 458, S.Ct., 795; see Gulf Offshore Co. Mobil Oil Corp., 453 473, 477-478, 101 2870, 2874-2875, 69 784 (1981); Claflin Houseman, 93 130, 136-137, 23 L.Ed. 833 (1876). To give cause action, must, exercise its powers Supremacy Clause, affirmatively 459-460, 795-796. 6 begin text itself. enforcement provisions provide "[e]ach States district each place subject shall subchapter." 2000e-5(f)(3) Unlike statutes unequivocally stated exclusive,3 presumptive omission any provision strong, arguably sufficient, intent. 7 Petitioner, however, contends legislative history unmistakably reveals Congress' intention these certain features render state-court incompatible interests. has called attention passages indicating many participants complex process finally produced law fully all cases tried court.4 That expectation, even if universally shared, adequate substitute decision presumption Like plain text, describes completely silent role 8 find incompatibility between procedures provided correctly points out 706(c) requires delay action least 60 days local agencies opportunity remedy allegedly unlawful practice prior action. 2000e-5(c) argues anomalous contemplate reference agency, followed by review condition proceeding court. Petitioner's "anomaly," merely consequence VII's dual-track method procedure. hiatus designed invoke rules law. EEOC, contrast, predicate based statute. When sue arises, both agency failed resolve matter does affect what judicial should entertain employed scheme Age Discrimination 1967, complaints screened through agencies, although concurrently, before "in competent jurisdiction." 29 626(c)(1), 633(b). See Oscar Mayer & Evans, 441 750, 99 2066, 609 (1979) (§ 14(b) ADEA patterned VII). 9 Nor VIII's appeals pursuant 28 1291, 1292, references injunctive relief appointment masters Rules Procedure 65 53, preclude 2000e-5(j), (f)(2), (f)(5) argument statutory applicable 466-467, 799 (federal venue service RICO actions), Charles Dowd Box Courtney, 368 502, 82 519, 483 (1962) (injunctive Labor Management Relations Act, 1947, actions). 10 It assumed judges will more experience than judges. That, factor plaintiff weigh deciding where file suit, motivate defendant remove reason just able Cf. Kremer Chemical Construction 456 461, 102 1883, 72 262 (1982) (state-court decisions preclusive effect courts). 11 In sum, without disagreeing persuasive showing enactment, amendment, enforcement, lies core system. 12 13 ordered. claim untimely statute limitations. relying Rule 15(c) Procedure. A-38 A-39; 402, 410-411 (CA7 1989). Bradshaw General Motors 805 110, 112 (CA3 1986); Valenzuela Kraft, Inc., 739 434, 435-436 (CA9 1984); Jones Intermountain Power Project, 794 546, 553 (CA10 Long Florida, 1542, 1546 (CA11 1986), rev'd grounds, 487 223, 2354, 206 (1988). amicus curiae brief case. 1980 contended, directly present question, Brief Amici Curiae, O.T.1980, 79-1213, pp. 11-15; Minnick California Dept. Corrections, 452 105, 120, n. 2211, 2219, 68 706 (1981) (cert. dism'd improvidently granted). Amicus Curiae Pirela North Aurora, 89-1231 (CA7), 10-14. Employee Retirement Income Security 1974 enacted two years extensive amendments Act—illustrates distinction specifying "[e]xcept subsection (a)(1)(B) section, subchapter," "[s]tate section." 1132(e)(1); Mar. 24, 1972, Pub.L. 92-261, 4, 86 104. cited 471, 801, (1990) (SCALIA, concurring). Thus, example, decided opt rather Congressman McCulloch commented: "As originally worded, conduct investigations, institute hearing issue orders cease-and-desist nature. A substantial committee members, preferred ultimate determination rest judiciary. Through requirement, believe settlement occur rapidly greater frequency." H.R.Rep. 914, 88th Cong., 1st Sess., pt. 2, p. (1963), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News 2355, 2515 (additional views). An Interpretive Memorandum Senate suggests path presumed courts: "[T]he party may, written permission one member Commission, his own If he so, bear costs, like private . "The complaining party, proceed usual manner courts. de novo not, sense, determination." Cong.Rec. 7213 (1964) (Interpretive H.R. 7152 submitted jointly Sen. Clark Case). Of course, vested presumably agency's decisions. authorization remedy, gave rise normal well grant appropriate relief.

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