Court Opinion

ID: 9741044
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 20:48:37.315259+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:21.854009
License: Public Domain

Quinn, P. J.
(dissenting). Plaintiff White’s verified complaint of December 3, 1969 charged defendant with discharging him on the basis of race. The formal charge against defendant was that race was a factor in White’s discharge. On the merits, the referee found that unlawful discrimination was involved in White’s discharge, and the commission affirmed that holding.
The referee and the commission held that White’s letter to the commission that was received *238July 14, 1969 and the verified complaint of December 3, 1969 satisfied the 90-day requirement of MCLA 423.307(b); MSA 17.458(7)(b). The majority opinion states, "[h]is letter contained sufficient facts from which the commission could reasonably infer that he was alleging a firing based on discriminatory reasons”.
Attached to this dissent is a copy of the letter involved. I am unable to read it as the basis for a reasonable inference that White was alleging "a firing based on discriminatory reasons”. True, the letter states that White is a Negro but nothing relates that fact to his discharge. The allegations regarding discharge are, "through the lack of misunderstanding” and "[i]t was my understanding that an employee could not be discharged from a job while still disabled”.
If White’s letter directly, or by reasonable inference, supported the complaint that he was discharged on the basis of race, I could agree with the majority. In my view, it does not, and I vote to affirm the trial court because MCLA 423.307(b), supra, requires that the complaint set forth the particulars of the alleged unlawful employment practice. If compliance with this requirement is to be found in a letter and a verified complaint, the two should conform to some extent.
EXHIBIT A
Michigan State Civil Rights Commission
1000 Cadillac Square Building
Detroit, Michigan 48226
Gentlemen:
I, Thomas E. White a 24 year old Negro employed at Motor Wheel, would like to inform you that I *239was discharged from my job on Monday, June 23, 1969, through the lack of misunderstanding.
On June 5, 1969, I went back into the palletizing area on my lunch break to study for my schooling at State Data Processing Systems for a test to be given that same day. I was 15 minutes late in returning from my lunch period to my job. Upon this occasion, my foreman informed me that I was to be docked 15 minutes. Later on that day he came back and told me to forget about the 15 minutes and handed me a grievance slip stating that I was sleeping on the job.
On the following day, Thursday, June 6, 1969, I broke my big toe on my right foot while unloading rims from a box car. I was taken over to first-aid and had x-rays of my toe. After Dr. Martin treated my injury, he informed me that I was to come to Motor Wheel every day until I was able to return to my job. I received Workmen’s Compensation for the period June 6 through June 23. About two weeks after the injury, I was told my foot was well enough to return to work. I still could not wear a shoe at this time. The doctor told me to cut out the toe of my shoe and report to my job on Monday, June 23. When I returned to work on that day, I found a pink card in my rack indicating that I was to report to the Personnel Office. I called my committee in on this and we had a meeting with the Personnel Supervisor, Jimmy Yanz, and upon this date I was discharged from Motor Wheel.
It was my understanding that an employee could not be discharged from a job while still disabled. (I am still partially disabled as of this date, and I am not receiving any kind of treatment for my injury) I am now attending classes at State Data Processing Systems and I am worried about my financial *240status to be able to complete my schooling to enable me to find a better job along with being able to make my regular monthly payments.
I also had an accident on October 11, 1967, in which I injured my back. After I was released to go back to work about two weeks after returning to my job I reinjured my back on a fork truck at Motor Wheel. I went back on sick leave. Instead of receiving ckecks from Workmen’s Compensation, I received checks from Motor Wheel’s insurance company. I received this insurance from March until about September when they discontinued sending me checks. Therefore, I went from October, 1968 until January, 1969 without pay. I also received a layoff slip in the mail during that time. I how have a lawyer on this case which is Raymond H. Rappaport (sic). 1 don’t see any reason why I should have to pay a lawyer one-third of the money which is rightfully mine. At the time I hired a lawyer, I didn’t know about your services. For what I have just told you, I have witnesses on my behalf to prove what I have stated above is true. I would appreciate hearing from you as soon as possible. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
/S/ Thomas E. White
1103 Willemma
Lansing, Michigan 48910
Badge #35632