Hoyle v. United Auto Workers Local Union 5285

444 F. Supp. 2d 467, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54422, 2006 WL 2229004
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. North Carolina
DecidedAugust 3, 2006
DocketCivil 3:04CV518-H
StatusPublished
Cited by16 cases

This text of 444 F. Supp. 2d 467 (Hoyle v. United Auto Workers Local Union 5285) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. North Carolina primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Hoyle v. United Auto Workers Local Union 5285, 444 F. Supp. 2d 467, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54422, 2006 WL 2229004 (W.D.N.C. 2006).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

HORN, United States Magistrate Judge.

THIS MATTER is before the Court on the following motions and memoranda:

1. Defendant “UAW International’s Motion for Summary Judgment” and “Brief in Support ...” (document # 21), both filed May 9, 2006;

2. Defendant “Local 5285’s Motion for Summary Judgment” and “... Brief in Support ...” (document # 22), both filed May 9, 2006;

8. Supporting attachments also filed by both of the Defendants (documents ## 23-25) on May 9, 2006;

4. Plaintiff Kimberly Hoyle’s “... Brief in Opposition to Defendant UAW International’s and UAW Local 5285’s Motions for Summary Judgment” and attachments (document # 26) filed June 15, 2006;

5. Defendants “Local 5285’s and UAW International’s Reply Brief ...” (document #27); and attachments (document #28) filed June 30, 2006;

6. Defendants’ “... Motion to Strike” (document # 29) filed June 30, 2006;

7. Plaintiffs “... Response to Union Defendants’ Motion to Strike” (document # 32) filed July 24, 2006; and

8. Defendants’ “... Reply Brief in Support of Motion to Strike” (document # 33) filed August 3, 2006.

The parties have consented to Magistrate Judge jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), and these motions are now ripe for determination.

Having carefully considered the parties’ arguments, the record, and the applicable authority, the undersigned will grant the Defendants’ Motions for Summary Judgment, but deny the Defendants’ Motion to Strike, as discussed below.

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

This action seeks damages and equitable relief for gender-based discrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e (“Title VII”) and state public policy, and also asserts a state law claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

A. Factual Background and Findings

After an organizing campaign by UAW International, Freightliner Corporation entered into its first Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) in 1991. Thereafter, a new CBA has been negotiated and entered into between Freightliner and “Local 5285” every three years. The CBA governs many aspects of employment for hourly workers, including wages, benefits, and handling of grievances. The CBA also requires Freightliner to pay the wages of certain of Local 5285’s representatives, including the union’s “Health and Safety Representative,” although Freightliner retains the authority to discipline employees whose wages it pays and to approve any requests for leave. (It is specifically noted that Freightliner is not a party to this action.)

1. Health and Safety Representative

The Health and Safety Representative position was created and governed by the CBA, including the hours, shift, and compensation. The first four CBA’s differed *470 on whether the Health and Safety position was elected by Local 5285 members or appointed by its leadership. However, in the fifth CBA, governing employment years 2003 through 2006, appointment became the sole method of selecting the Health and Safety Representative. According to the Defendants, this brought Local 5285 in line with UAW International’s position on how Health and Safety Representatives should be selected and with the practice of other “locals.” The rationale supporting appointment (versus election) was that a Health and Safety Representative should be experienced and appointing the Representative would eliminate the potential of having to train an inexperienced Representative after an election. The Plaintiff has conceded that she agreed with this rationale as initially explained to her by UAW International Health and Safety Representative Jim Howe.

The Health and Safety position requires significant experience and/or training. In addition, the Representative attends regular safety committee meetings, monthly safety meetings with Freightliner personnel, and investigates all matters related to accidents and safety issues raised by employees. The Representative also works closely with the Freightliner Health and Safety supervisor to determine what actions, if any, should be taken to correct potential safety hazards.

The Plaintiff held the elected position of Health and Safety Representative from July 2001 to September 2003. Per the CBA then in effect, Freightliner paid the Plaintiffs wages in this elected position, although her work station was located in an office at the plant that was designated for the exclusive use of Local 5285. Brent Marr, Local 5285 President, avers that he was unhappy with the Plaintiffs job performance because she was frequently absent, failed to give him proper notice of her absences, on occasion worked the second shift without notifying him, engaged in nepotism by selecting her husband as her alternate, and was generally the subject of a number of complaints.

After the Health and Safety Representative position became an appointed one under the 2003 CBA, the Plaintiff and seven others applied. Local 5285 President Brent Marr recommended Ken Carriker, who had served as an alternate Benefits Representative and as an alternate Committeeman with Local 5285, for the position. Mr. Carriker also had experience as a volunteer fireman, with hazardous waste materials, robotics training, and had a far better attendance record than did the Plaintiff. At some point in the selection process Mr. Marr’s recommendation was forwarded to a regional office where it was approved, and then to UAW International. At UAW International, the Carriker recommendation was accepted, apparently somewhat based on personal knowledge of UAW International representatives of the Plaintiffs absenteeism during the most recent CBA bargaining sessions.

2. UAW International and Local 5285

Local 5285 is a small chapter of UAW International, with fewer than fifteen employees. As noted, Freightliner pays the wages and benefits of Local 5285 representatives, can discipline them, and approves their requests for leave. However, Local 5285 controls the selection of employees, job descriptions, and the substantive carrying out of employment duties and responsibilities. Local 5285 also elects its own officers and agents, determines qualifications for membership, sets its own dues and membership fees, manages its own funds and assets, and votes on whether to adopt proposed CBA’s. However, Local 5285 does pay fees and give a periodic financial statement to UAW International. Additionally, UAW International provides *471 training for the Health and Safety Representative, although the expense of week-long training sessions is paid for by Local 5285.

3. Incidents of Gender Discrimination

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Bluebook (online)
444 F. Supp. 2d 467, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54422, 2006 WL 2229004, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/hoyle-v-united-auto-workers-local-union-5285-ncwd-2006.