Greenslade v. Chicago Sun-Times

930 F. Supp. 323, 1996 WL 354040
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. Illinois
DecidedJune 24, 1996
Docket95 C 4643
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 930 F. Supp. 323 (Greenslade v. Chicago Sun-Times) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. Illinois primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Greenslade v. Chicago Sun-Times, 930 F. Supp. 323, 1996 WL 354040 (N.D. Ill. 1996).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

DENLOW, United States Magistrate Judge.

Plaintiff Ralph Greenslade (hereinafter “Greenslade”) filed a four-count complaint (hereinafter “Comp.”) against Defendants The Chicago Sun-Times (hereinafter “Sun- *326 Times”) and The Chicago Newspaper Guild, Local 71 (hereinafter “Guild”). In count I, Greenslade alleges the Sun-Times discriminated against him on the basis of sex in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e, et seq. In count II, which was dismissed with prejudice pursuant to stipulation of the parties, Green-slade alleges that the Sun-Times discriminated against him on the basis of age in violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq. In count III, Greenslade alleges that the Sun-Times breached his employment contract by failing to conduct a good-faith investigation of his conduct before transferring him, and failing to follow the procedures set forth in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (hereinafter “CBA”) for disciplinary actions. In count IV, Greenslade alleges that the Guild discriminated against him on the basis of sex in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,42 U.S.C. § 2000e, et seq.

There are two motions currently before the court. Sun-Times has filed a motion for summary judgment as to counts I and III. Guild has filed a motion for summary judgment as to count IV. For the reasons set forth below, the Sun-Times’ motion for summary judgment is granted as to counts I and III, and the Guild’s motion for summary judgment is granted as to count IV.

I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Greenslade is a forty-one year old married male who has been employed by the Chicago Sun-Times since 1980. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 1 and 4). Greenslade worked in the sports department during his entire tenure until December 15,1994, when he was transferred to the copy desk. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 2 and 105). He has been a Guild member during his entire tenure with the Sun-Times. (Guild 12 M ¶ 3).

Laura Wagner (“Wagner”) is a twenty-four year old female who was hired by Sun-Times in September, 1994 to work in the sports department as a copy editor. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 5 and 8). Wagner was the only woman on the sports copy desk and worked in close proximity with Greenslade until his transfer. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 6 and 9). They worked the 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. shift together three times a week. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 10 and 11).

Several weeks after Wagner began working for the Sun-Times, she felt Greenslade was taking an “unnatural amount of interest” in her. (Wag.Dep. p. 27). Wagner’s discomfort was attributed to various electronic mail messages, offers for rides home, and comments made by Greenslade. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 13-50). Greenslade knew that he was becoming a “pain in the butt with these ride offers”, but he couldn’t help himself. (Guild 12 M ¶ 39). He sensed that he was making Wagner uncomfortable and was aware that Wagner was trying to distance herself from him. (Guild 12 M ¶¶39 and 40). Wagner began to feel physically ill when she had to work with Greenslade. (Wag.Dep. p. 104). After one of the incidents, Greenslade called his supervisor, Deputy Managing Editor Rick Jaffe (hereinafter “Jaffe”), and told him “he was being mentally tortured, he couldn’t sleep at night, the situation was making it difficult for him to work, and that he had brain cramps.” (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 50-53). Jaffe and Greenslade then decided that the best course of action would be for Greenslade to stop sending electronic mail messages and stop offering rides to Wagner. (Guild 12 M ¶ 55).

Sometime following this discussion, Green-slade and Wagner discussed the “situation” whereupon Wagner learned that Greenslade had talked to Jaffe. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 61-69). The next night, Greenslade again electronically mailed a message to Wagner asking her if she wanted a ride home. (Guild 12 M ¶ 72). Wagner declined the ride offer. (Guild 12 M ¶ 73). Soon thereafter Wagner met with Jaffe to relate her side of the story. (Wag.Dep. p. 147-158). Jaffe then contacted Greenslade’s supervisor, Editor Mark Nadler (hereinafter “Nadler”) to advise him of the situation between Greenslade and Wagner. (Guild 12 M ¶ 78). Nadler then contacted Guild Unit Chair Charles Nicodemus (hereinafter “Nicodemus”) to inform him that he and Jaffe were planning to have a meeting with Greenslade and wanted assurances that Guild representation would be available for Greenslade if he so requested. (Guild 12 M *327 ¶¶ 82-85). Guild representation was available. (Guild 12 M ¶ 86).

Jaffe, Nadler and Greenslade met on December 15, 1994 to discuss the situation in the sports department. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 91-101). Greenslade was repeatedly told he was entitled to Guild representation and several times declined to have a Guild representative during the meeting. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 92-98). During this meeting, it became clear to Na-dler and Jaffe that Greenslade and Wagner needed to be separated. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 99). Nadler informed Greenslade that the Sun-Times would be temporarily transferring him to the copy desk in the news department. (Comp. ¶ 11). Jaffe and Nadler had discussed transferring Wagner, but because Greenslade was a better layout person and he was scheduled to be transferred out of the sports department and into the pagination area they decided to transfer Greenslade. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 99-102). Greenslade was transferred to the copy desk effective December 15,1994, and again transferred to the pagination department effective May 22, 1995. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 105-106). All.the positions held by Greenslade were in the editorial department and his base pay remained the same throughout each of his transfers. (Sun-Times 12 M ¶ 11, 48). Greenslade lost some overtime pay while on the copy desk and while training for the pagination position. (Sun-Times 12 M ¶48). After his transfer to the pagination department, Greenslade did not wish to return to the sports department. (Guild 12 M ¶ 107).

After the meeting with Nadler and Jaffe, Greenslade contacted Nicodemus in order to tell him that he had been transferred. (Guild 12 M ¶ 110). Nicodemus and Greenslade met and discussed his transfer. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 111-115). Nicodemus then informed Guild leader Susy Schultz (hereinafter “Schultz”) of Greenslade’s transfer. Schultz then commenced an investigation on behalf of the Guild. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 119-120). As part of her investigation, Schultz interviewed Stu Courtney, a sports department employee, Greenslade and Wagner. Id. During Schultz’ investigation several Guild members and representatives discussed the matter with Greenslade and with Wagner. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 120-136).

Following the investigation the Guild set up a meeting with the Sun-Times. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 187-140). Then several Guild representatives met with Greenslade, his wife, and his attorney. At this meeting no decision was made on whether to file a grievance. (Guild 12 M ¶¶ 141-142). Shortly thereafter, several Guild leaders decided that it would be difficult to proceed on the merits of Green-slade’s case, however, this course of action was not communicated to Greenslade.

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930 F. Supp. 323, 1996 WL 354040, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/greenslade-v-chicago-sun-times-ilnd-1996.