11 Fair empl.prac.cas. 707, 10 Empl. Prac. Dec. P 10,382 Beverly Jeanne Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mut. Hosp. Ins., Inc., & Blue Shield Mut. Medicalinsurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235 (7th Cir. 1975). · Go Syfert
Search
11 Fair empl.prac.cas. 707, 10 Empl. Prac. Dec. P 10,382 Beverly Jeanne Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mut. Hosp. Ins., Inc., & Blue Shield Mut. Medicalinsurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235 (7th Cir. 1975). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
83 citation events (2 in the last 25 years) across 25 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Fetterman v. University of Connecticut (connsuperct, 1988-11-04)
Treatment trajectory · 1975 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1975 2000 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 27 distinct citers. How cited ↗
cited Cited as authority (rule) Fetterman v. University of Connecticut
Conn. Super. Ct. · 1988 · confidence medium
They do not represent the class.” To the same effect is Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Ins., Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1240 (7th Cir. 1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Charles E. Wagner, for Himself and Others Similarly Situated v. Reese H. Taylor, Jr., Chairman, Interstate Commerce Commission (2×)
D.C. Cir. · 1987 · confidence medium
Ins., Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1238 (7th Cir.1975). .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Parks v. Pavkovic
7th Cir. · 1985 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Bittner v. Sadoff & Rudoy Industries, supra, 728 F.2d at 826-27 ; Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Ins., Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1237-38 (7th Cir.1975), modified en banc on other grounds, 538 F.2d 164 (1976); McKnight v. Blanchard, 667 F.2d 477, 480-81 (5th Cir.1982).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Parks v. Pavkovic
7th Cir. · 1985 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Bittner v. Sadoff & Rudoy Industries, supra, 728 F.2d at 826-27 ; Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Ins., Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1237-38 (7th Cir.1975), modified en banc on other grounds, 538 F.2d 164 (1976); McKnight v. Blanchard, 667 F.2d 477, 480-81 (5th Cir.1982).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Shaffer v. Globe Protection, Inc.
7th Cir. · 1983 · confidence medium
Cases applying § 1292(a)(1) have held that other incidental orders or issues nonappealable in and of themselves but in fact interdependent with the order granting or denying an injunction may also be reviewed, but only to the extent that they bear upon and are central to the grant or denial of the injunction. 4 See, Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1237-38 (7th Cir.1975); Kershner v. Mazurkiewicz, 670 F.2d 440, 447 (3rd Cir.1982).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) 33 Fair empl.prac.cas. 450, 32 Empl. Prac. Dec. P 33,930 Sandra Shaffer, Individually and on Behalf of All Women Similarly Situated v. Globe Protection, Inc., & Northern Indiana Public Service Company (Nipsco)
7th Cir. · 1983 · confidence medium
Cases applying Sec. 1292(a)(1) have held that other incidental orders or issues nonappealable in and of themselves but in fact interdependent with the order granting or denying an injunction may also be reviewed, but only to the extent that they bear upon and are central to the grant or denial of the injunction. 4 See, Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1237-38 (7th Cir.1975); Kershner v. Mazurkiewicz, 670 F.2d 440, 447 (3rd Cir.1982). 10 Accordingly, to obtain review of the December 9 order, plaintiff must show that the order's refusal to grant class action …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Brown v. Eckerd Drugs, Inc.
W.D.N.C. · 1983 · confidence medium
Goss v. Revlon, Inc., 548 F.2d 405, 407 (2d Cir.1976), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 968 , 98 S.Ct. 514 , 54 L.Ed.2d 456 (1977); Macklin v. Spector Freight Systems, Inc., 478 F.2d 979, 996-97 (D.C., Cir.1973); Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1239 (7th Cir.1975), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 986 , 97 S.Ct. 506 , 50 L.Ed.2d 598 (1976).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) The Port Authority Police Benevolent Association, Inc. v. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
2d Cir. · 1983 · confidence medium
Oppenheimer Fund, Inc. v. Sanders, 437 U.S. 340 , 98 S.Ct. 2380 , 57 L.Ed.2d 253 *153 (1978); Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1237-38 (7th Cir.1975), aff’d on rehearing, 538 F.2d 164 , 166 n. 2, cert. denied, 429 U.S. 986 , 97 S.Ct. 506 , 50 L.Ed.2d 598 (1976).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Joseph D. Adashunas, a Minor by His Parents, Alvin and Olga Adashunas, on Behalf of Themselves and All Others Similarly Situated v. Harold H. Negley
7th Cir. · 1980 · confidence medium
Because the denial of injunctive relief is interdependent with the remainder of the appealed order, Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1237-38 (7th Cir. 1975), reheard in banc on other grounds, 538 F.2d 164 (7th Cir. 1976), this court may consider the entire order insofar as it has been appealed.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Strong v. Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Inc.
E.D. Ark. · 1980 · confidence medium
Bradley v. Southern Pacific Co., 51 F.R.D. 14, 15 (S.D.Tex.1970), aff’d., 486 F.2d 516 (5th Cir. 1973); Hernandez v. Gray, 530 F.2d 858, 859 (10th Cir. 1976); Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1240 (7th Cir. 1975); Ashworth v. Sherwin-Williams Co., 10 FEP Cas. 709 (N.D.Ga.1974); Campbell v. Al Thrasher Lumber Co., 13 FEP Cas. 189 (N.D.Cal.1973); Horton v.M&B Metal Products Co., 11 FEP Cas. 1039, 1041 (N.D.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Stalling v. Califano
N.D. Ill. · 1980 · confidence medium
Defendant does not challenge the adequacy of plaintiff’s counsel but rather contends that the named plaintiffs are inadequate representatives since all have different jobs and employment histories. 4 While this may be true, the more important fact is that all class members, including the representatives, are subject to the same policies regarding promotion with the exception of two of the named plaintiffs, Henrietta Brown and Vivian Church, who no longer work for defendant. 5 In Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1240 (7th Cir. 1975), cert. denied, 429 U.S.…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Local 194, Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union v. Standard Brands, Inc.
N.D. Ill. · 1979 · confidence medium
Since § 1981 pertains only to discrimination based on race, Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1240 (7th Cir. 1975), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 986 , 97 S.Ct. 506 , 50 L.Ed.2d 598 (1976), the claims of sex discrimination necessarily are based on Title VII. .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Byrd v. UNIFIED SCHOOL DIST. NO. 1, ETC.
E.D. Wis. · 1978 · confidence medium
This court has jurisdiction to hear and determine this issue although the issue was not presented to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission because under the test of Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Ins., Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1241 (7th Cir. 1975), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 986 , 97 S.Ct. 506 , 50 L.Ed.2d 598 (1977), the issue now raised by the plaintiffs is reasonably related to the pregnancy-related discrimination charges brought before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ferguson v. Mobil Oil Corp.
S.D.N.Y. · 1978 · confidence medium
It is clear that this Court can take cognizance of averments of discrimination which are “like or reasonably related to the allegations of the charge [submitted to the EEOC] and growing out of such allegations,” Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Ins., Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1241 (7th Cir. 1975) quoting Danner v. Phillips Petroleum Co., 447 F.2d 159, 162 (5th Cir. 1971); see Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. National Cash Register Company, 405 F.Supp. 562, 566 (N.D.Ga.1975); Scott v. University of Delaware, 385 F.Supp. 937, 942 (D.Del.1974); cf. Equal Employment Opportunity Commi…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Allied Paper Inc. v. United Gas Pipe Line Co.
Emer. Ct. App. · 1977 · confidence medium
See, 9 Moore’s Federal Prac. ¶ 110.25[1]; Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Ins., Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1237-38 (7th Cir. 1975), reheard en banc, 538 F.2d 164 , modified on other grounds, cert. denied, 429 U.S. 986 , 97 S.Ct. 506 , 50 L.Ed.2d 598 (1976).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Illinois Migrant Council, Etc. v. Alva L. Pilliod, Etc.
7th Cir. · 1976 · confidence medium
P 110.13(9) (1974 Supp.) and cases cited in Jenkins, supra, 522 F.2d at 1237.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance
7th Cir. · 1976 · confidence medium
Upon this appeal a panel of this court reversed the district court’s judgment “[i]n light of the fact that the trial court dismissed the complaint because of the failure of the named plaintiff to qualify as representative of her class under Title VII, without giving consideration to the claim based on § 1981, and since we conclude that the relief claimed under § 1981 need not be based on any form of claim filed with the EEOC . . .” Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1241 (7th Cir.1975).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) 13 Fair empl.prac.cas. 52, 12 Empl. Prac. Dec. P 11,103 Beverly Jeanne Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., and Blue Shield Mutual Medicalinsurance, Inc.
7th Cir. · 1976 · confidence medium
The plaintiff's notice of appeal was from both the July 17, 1974 and January 21, 1975 orders. 5 Upon this appeal a panel of this court reversed the district court's judgment "(i)n light of the fact that the trial court dismissed the complaint because of the failure of the named plaintiff to qualify as representative of her class under Title VII, without giving consideration to the claim based on § 1981, and since we conclude that the relief claimed under § 1981 need not be based on any form of claim filed with the EEOC . . ." Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 12…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Guse v. JC Penney Co., Inc. (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
E.D. Wis. · 1976 · confidence medium
Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance Co., 522 F.2d 1235, 1240-1241 (7th Cir. 1975).
cited Cited "see" Orantes-Hernandez v. Smith
C.D. Cal. · 1982 · signal: see · confidence high
See generally Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1238 (7th Cir. 1975), modified, 538 F.2d 164 , cert. denied, 429 U.S. 986 , 97, S.Ct. 506, 50 L.Ed.2d 598 (1976).
examined Cited "see" Williamson v. Bethlehem Steel Corp. (3×)
W.D.N.Y. · 1980 · signal: see · confidence high
See 522 F.2d 1235 , 1241 (7th Cir. 1975) (panel decision).
discussed Cited "see" Boddorff v. Publicker Industries, Inc.
E.D. Pa. · 1980 · signal: see · confidence high
See, for example, DeGraffenreid v. General Motors Assembly Division, 558 F.2d 480 (8th Cir. 1977), Patterson v. American Tobacco Co., 535 F.2d 257 (4th Cir.), cert, denied, 429 U.S. 920 , 97 S.Ct. 314 , 50 L.Ed.2d 286 (1976), Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235 (7th Cir. 1975), cert, denied, 429 U.S. 986 , 97 S.Ct. 506 , 50 L.Ed.2d 598 (1976), Long v. Ford Motor Co., 496 F.2d 500 (6th Cir. 1974), Arnold v. Tiffany, 487 F.2d 216 (9th Cir. 1973), cert, denied, 415 U.S. 984 , 94 S.Ct. 1578 , 39 L.Ed.2d 881 (1974). 6 .
discussed Cited "see" 14 Fair empl.prac.cas. 1658, 14 Empl. Prac. Dec. P 7597 Linda Johnson and United Paperworkers International Union, Afl-Cio v. Nekoosa-Edwards Paper Company, Linda Johnson and United Paperworkers International Union, Afl-Cio, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Plaintiff-Intervenor-Appellant v. Nekoosa Papers, Inc. (Ashdown, Arkansas)
8th Cir. · 1977 · signal: see · confidence high
See Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Ins., Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1241 (7th Cir. 1975) (en banc); Danner v. Phillips Petroleum Co., 447 F.2d 159, 161-162 (5th Cir. 1971); Sanchez v. Standard Brands, Inc., 431 F.2d 455, 466 (5th Cir. 1970); cf. Parham v. Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., 433 F.2d 421, 425 (8th Cir. 1970) 12 A charging party cannot bring a private action unless permission is received from the EEOC.
discussed Cited "see" Johnson v. Nekoosa-Edwards Paper Co.
8th Cir. · 1977 · signal: see · confidence high
See Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Ins., Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1241 (7th Cir. 1975) (en banc); Danner v. Phillips Petroleum Co., 447 F.2d 159, 161-162 (5th Cir. 1971); Sanchez v. Standard Brands, Inc., 431 F.2d 455, 466 (5th Cir. 1970); cf. Parham v. Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., 433 F.2d 421, 425 (8th Cir. 1970). .
cited Cited "see, e.g." Plummer v. CHICAGO JOURNEYMAN PLUMBERS, ETC.
N.D. Ill. · 1978 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See also Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1239 (7th Cir. 1975).
cited Cited "see, e.g." Plummer v. Chicago Journeyman Plumbers' Local Union No. 130
N.D. Ill. · 1978 · signal: see also · confidence medium
See also Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1239 (7th Cir. 1975).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Looney v. Commercial Union Assurance Companies
E.D. Mich. · 1977 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e. g., Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., 522 F.2d 1235, 1241 (7th Cir. 1975) (plaintiff precluded from suing for sex discrimination where her EEOC charge alleged only racial discrimination); Mickel v. South Carolina State Employment Service, 377 F.2d 239 (4th Cir. 1967) (dismissing claimant’s Title VII charge against employer where claimant filed an EEOC charge against employment agency only but brought suit against both the employment agency and the prospective employer); Edwards v. North American Rockwell Corp., 291 F.Supp. 199, 203-08 (C.D.Cal.1968) (dismissing r…
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
11 Fair empl.prac.cas. 707, 10 Empl. Prac. Dec. P 10,382 Beverly Jeanne Jenkins
v.
Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., and Blue Shield Mutual Medicalinsurance, Inc.
75-1231.
Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Sep 8, 1975.
522 F.2d 1235
Cited by 48 opinions  |  Published

522 F.2d 1235

11 Fair Empl.Prac.Cas. 707,
10 Empl. Prac. Dec. P 10,382
Beverly Jeanne JENKINS, Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
BLUE CROSS MUTUAL HOSPITAL INSURANCE, INC., and Blue Shield
Mutual MedicalInsurance, Inc., Defendants-Appellees.

No. 75-1231.

United States Court of Appeals,
Seventh Circuit.

Argued May 28, 1975.
Decided Sept. 8, 1975.

John O. Moss, Indianapolis, Ind., Paul J. Spiegelman, Berkeley, Cal., for plaintiff-appellant.

D. Reed Scism, Indianapolis, Ind., for defendants-appellees.

Before TUTTLE,[*] TONE and BAUER, Circuit Judges.

TUTTLE, Circuit Judge.

[*~1235]1

The plaintiff Beverly Jeanne Jenkins brought this action on her own behalf and for a class she purported to represent, charging the defendants, Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc., Blue Cross Medical Insurance, Inc. (Blue Cross-Blue Shield), her former employer, with racial and sex discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e Et seq. and 42 U.S.C. § 1981. The district court determined that the action could not proceed as a class action; thereafter the court denied the plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction to enjoin the defendants' promotion and employee evaluation practices, which were alleged to have discriminatory effect.

2

The plaintiff appeals the denial of her requested preliminary injunction, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(1). The preliminary injunction which was requested would have enjoined the defendants' current employee evaluation and promotion practices. As the plaintiff was no longer employed by the defendants at the time suit was filed, she clearly could not allege irreparable injury to herself resulting from the continued use of these practices. Rather, as the plaintiff candidly admits, it is the harm allegedly suffered by the class of present employees which the plaintiff argues justifies enjoining the defendants' supervisory performance rating system.

3

Thus, the real issue which the plaintiff seeks to appeal is whether she should be permitted to maintain her suit as a class action; only if the district court erred in denying the plaintiff the right to proceed as a representative of a class of all past and present employees could its subsequent refusal to grant a preliminary injunction be seriously challenged.

4

I. APPEALABILITY.

5

Generally a trial court's decision that a suit is inappropriate to proceed as a class action is not a "final decision" and thus cannot be appealed under 28 U.S.C. § 1291,[1] 3B Moore's Federal Practice, P 23.97 at 23 1911-52. While certain limited exceptions to 28 U.S.C. § 1291's requirement of a final order of the district court have developed permitting interlocutory appellate review of certain class action determinations where those decisions have in some sense a final effect on the action,[2] these exceptions have been rejected in this circuit as a basis for permitting an appeal from an order refusing class status,[3] and the plaintiff does not attempt to invoke them. Rather, the plaintiff seeks to review the district court's class action determination by the limited interlocutory appeal permitted by 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(1) which provides:

6

"The courts of appeals shall have jurisdiction of appeals from: (1) interlocutory orders of the district courts . . . granting, continuing, modifying, refusing or dissolving injunctions, or refusing to dissolve or modify injunctions, except where a direct review may be had in the Supreme Court . . . ."

7

While the plaintiff cites no authority for this approach, a substantial body of case law has in fact developed for the view that

8

"when injunctive relief is sought and the denial of class action treatment has the effect of denying the broad injunctive relief requested in the complaint, the order is appealable under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(1) as an order denying an injunction."

[*~1236]9

3B Moore's Federal Practice, P 23.97 (1973 Supp.) at 130. See Price v. Lucky Stores, Inc., 501 F.2d 1177 (9th Cir. 1974); Hackett v. General Host Corp., 455 F.2d 618, 622 (3rd Cir. 1972); Yaffee v. Powers, 454 F.2d 1362 (1st Cir. 1972); Spangler v. United States, 415 F.2d 1242 (9th Cir. 1969); Oatis v. Crown Zellerbach Corp., 398 F.2d 496 (5th Cir. 1968); Shapiro Bernstein & Co. v. Continental Record Co., 386 F.2d 426 (2d Cir. 1967); Brunson v. Board of Trustees, 311 F.2d 107 (4th Cir. 1962), Cert. denied, 373 U.S. 933, 83 S.Ct. 1538, 10 L.Ed.2d 690 (1963).[4]

10

We find these authorities convincing. Certainly in this case there is an order denying a preliminary injunction, which would permit review under the terms of § 1292(a)(1). Further, there can be no doubt that the district court's earlier refusal to certify the suit as a class action directly controlled its subsequent decision on the requested preliminary injunction.[5]

11

Because the class action determination of the district court directly controlled the subsequent disposition of the request for a preliminary injunction, we believe it, too, is reviewable under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(1). By refusing to certify the action as a class action, the district court effectively precluded a grant of preliminary injunction relief; as the plaintiff was no longer employed by the defendants, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, she clearly suffered no continuing harm from the challenged promotional and employee evaluation practices. Accordingly, in our view, the refusal to certify the suit as a class action limited the potential injunctive relief which the plaintiff could obtain, and accordingly can be appealed at this time.

[*~1237]12

A conflict has developed in the circuits as to whether a class action decision, standing alone, without an order denying a preliminary injunction is also reviewable under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(1). See Williams v. Mumford, 511 F.2d 363 (D.C.Cir. 1975); Yaffee v. Powers, 454 F.2d 1362 (1st Cir. 1972); City of New York v. International Pipe & Ceramics Corp., 410 F.2d 295 (2d Cir. 1969); Brunson v. Board of Trustees, 311 F.2d 107 (4th Cir. 1962), Cert. denied, 373 U.S. 933, 83 S.Ct. 1538, 10 L.Ed.2d 690 (1963). We note, however, that we do not confront this question in this case. Here the plaintiff specifically and expressly moved for a preliminary injunction, and that request was denied; the plaintiff's appeal is formally from that denial of her motion for preliminary injunction, and thus the question whether an appeal may lie from the refusal to certify a suit as a class action standing alone is not presented by the facts of this case. We express no view as to whether the plaintiff could similarly appeal from the earlier order refusing to certify her suit as a class action.[6]

13

II. CLASS ACTION.

14

The plaintiff attempted to bring this action on behalf of a class composed of "all black and female persons who are employed, or might be employed, by Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Inc.," alleging discriminatory patterns and practices in employee hiring, promotion, and job evaluation. The plaintiff's Title VII claim asserted both racial and sex discrimination, while her § 1981 claim asserted racial discrimination. The district court refused to certify the action as a class action because it found that the plaintiff's original complaint to the EEOC was too narrow to permit the type of broad claims of racial and sex discrimination presented in the complaint, and accordingly held that the plaintiff was limited by the terms of her prior EEOC charge.[7]

15

The district court noted that nowhere in the EEOC charge did the plaintiff specifically raise the question of sex discrimination; the court noted that the plaintiff in her EEOC charge did not challenge the hiring and testing practices of Blue Cross-Blue Shield, and while her charge that she was denied a promotion because of her Afro hairstyle had an "arguable connection to race by allegation of hairstyle discrimination, such is not sufficient to raise the panorama of alleged evils the plaintiff seeks to adjudicate."

16

The district court determined that any class which the plaintiff could represent must be limited by the terms of her EEOC charge, that is, to a class of persons denied promotion due to wearing a natural Afro hairstyle. Accordingly, the district court held that because there was no allegation of numerosity of class members or commonality of legal claims of a class so defined, the plaintiff failed to allege a class which could be maintained under Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

17

The district court appears not to have considered what effect the plaintiff's second claim based on 42 U.S.C. § 1981 should have on its class action determination.

18

In our view, the plaintiff was entitled to make the broad allegations of racial discrimination she did, under § 1981. In our view this action provides a sufficient basis for adjudicating the claims presented in the plaintiff's complaint. We agree with the district court, however, that the failure of the plaintiff to allege sex discrimination in her charge before the EEOC precludes her from raising the issue in this proceeding.

19

A. 42 U.S.C. § 1981.

42 U.S.C. § 1981 provides that:

[*~1238]20

"All persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall have the same right in every state . . . to make and enforce contracts . . . enjoyed by white citizens . . . ."

21

This provision has been uniformly construed to prohibit private discrimination in employment. Waters v. Wisconsin Steel Works, 427 F.2d 476 (7th Cir. 1970), Cert. denied, 400 U.S. 911, 91 S.Ct. 137, 27 L.Ed.2d 151 (1970); Sanders v. Dobbs Houses, Inc., 431 F.2d 1097 (5th Cir. 1970), Cert. denied, 401 U.S. 948, 91 S.Ct. 935, 28 L.Ed.2d 231 (1971); Macklin v. Spector Freight Systems, Inc., 156 U.S.App.D.C. 69, 478 F.2d 979 (1973). See generally Comment, Racial Discrimination and Employment Under the Civil Rights Act of 1866, 36 U.Chi.L.Rev. 615 (1969). This court has held that the passage of Title VII in no way impliedly repealed § 1981, Waters v. Wisconsin Steel Works, supra, 427 F.2d at 485, noting that "the legislative history of Title VII strongly demonstrates an intent to preserve previously existing causes of action." Id. See also Alexander v. Gardner-Denver Co., 415 U.S. 36, 48, 94 S.Ct. 1011, 39 L.Ed.2d 147 (1974). Indeed, in this court's second Wisconsin Steel Works decision, 502 F.2d 1309, 1315 (7th Cir. 1974), this court concurred in the views of the five other circuits which have considered the question in holding that § 1981 is available even to those plaintiffs who have failed to pursue their Title VII administrative remedies. See Long v. Ford Motor Co., 496 F.2d 500 (6th Cir. 1974); Young v. International Telephone & Telegraph Co., 438 F.2d 757 (3rd Cir. 1971); Caldwell v. National Brewing Co., 443 F.2d 1044 (5th Cir. 1971); Brady v. Bristol-Myers Inc., 459 F.2d 621 (8th Cir. 1972); Macklin v. Spector Freight Systems, Inc., 156 U.S.App.D.C. 69, 478 F.2d 979 (1973).

22

Thus, in our view, the plaintiff's claim based upon 42 U.S.C. § 1981 alleging racial discrimination would properly state a class claim even if her other claim based upon Title VII is impermissibly broad in light of her EEOC charge.[8] "s 1981 is available to plaintiff without regard to Title VII limitations." Alpha Portland Cement Co. v. Reese, 507 F.2d 607, 610 (5th Cir. 1975).

[*~1239]23

On the limited record before us on this appeal there appear to be unresolved factual questions as to whether the action can proceed as a class action. These questions were not considered by the district court in its earlier order denying class action treatment, based upon the EEOC charge. Two questions appear to us to have importance in determining whether plaintiff can serve as a representative for those black employees who allegedly have been injured by the defendants' discriminatory employee evaluation and promotion practices. First, the plaintiff resigned her employment but alleges that she did so due to some form of coercion; secondly, it appears that many of the evaluation and promotion practices complained of in the complaint were instituted after the plaintiff left the defendants' employ.

24

The plaintiff must be a member of the class which she seeks to represent, with sufficient interest in the outcome to assure that she will adequately and fairly represent the class. Fed.R.Civ.P. 23(a). The plaintiff cannot meet these standards if she in fact voluntarily resigned her employment for reasons unrelated to the employee evaluation and promotion practices of which she now complains. On remand the district court should consider these questions in determining whether the requirements of Rule 23 are met.

25

B. Title VII.

26

This litigation began when the plaintiff, Beverly Jeanne Jenkins, completed an EEOC charge form on June 8, 1971 naming her former employer, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, as the party which had discriminated against her. She checked the box marked "Race or Color" and made the following statement to explain what in her view constituted the "unfair thing" which had been done to her.

27

"I feel that I am being discriminated in the terms and conditions of my employment because of my race, Negro. I have worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield approx. three years during which time I no problem until May, 1971 when I got my natural hairstyle. Later when I came up for promotion it was denied because my supervisor, Al Frymier, said I could never represent Blue Cross with my Afro. He also accused me of being a leader of the girls on the floor. The pressure I was working under kept me upset, therefore, I asked for a leave of absence. I was told I had to take a vacation before I could be granted a leave of absence. I was granted a week vacation and on my return I was asked to take a 90-day leave, quit, or be fired, time they said to get myself together; at the end of this time they would be able to place me on another job. A White employee who associated with me might have been denied her promotion because of her association with me."

28

The plaintiff received her statutory notice of her right to sue from the EEOC on August 4, 1972.

29

Plaintiff filed this suit on August 28, 1972 alleging a broad-based pattern and practice of racial and sex discrimination against her and the class she purported to represent in hiring, assignment, pay and promotion.[9]

[*~1240]30

The district court found that because the plaintiff's EEOC charge limited the scope of the complaint she could subsequently file in federal court under Title VII, any subsequent Title VII action in federal court must be limited to the specific issue of denial of promotion opportunities due to wearing an Afro hairstyle. On that basis, the district court found that the plaintiff had failed to allege that others were injured due to the same discriminatory practice, and accordingly the suit could not be maintained as a class action.

31

Although this court has not previously enunciated a precise rule for purposes of determining what is the proper scope of the allegations in a complaint when compared against the original charge filed with the EEOC, we are in agreement that the rule as stated in the case of Danner v. Phillips Petroleum Co., 447 F.2d 159 (5th Cir. 1971), should be followed. The court in that case said:

32

"the correct rule to follow in construing EEOC charges for purposes of delineating the proper scope of a subsequent judicial inquiry is that 'the complaint in the civil action . . . may properly encompass any . . . discrimination like or reasonably related to the allegations of the charge and growing out of such allegations."

33

Danner v. Phillips Petroleum Co., supra, 447 F.2d at 162.

34

Upon careful examination of the complaint and the charge, Judges Bauer and Tone agree that the trial court properly construed the particular charge here in light of the general principles, and that the charge does not form a proper basis for the complaint that the defendant pursued a practice and pattern of discrimination in the manner alleged in the complaint. Judge Tuttle would hold that the charge was sufficient under the announced standard to support the allegations of the complaint.

35

The Court is unanimously of the view that the charge does not form a proper basis under Title VII for any complaint of discrimination on the basis of sex.

36

III. CONCLUSION.

37

In light of the fact that the trial court dismissed the complaint because of the failure of the named plaintiff to qualify as representative of her class under Title VII, without giving consideration to the claim based on § 1981, and since we conclude that the relief claimed under § 1981 need not be based on any form of claim filed with the EEOC, we hold that the judgment of the trial court must be reversed for further consideration of the questions raised under Section II, A of this opinion that is, whether the named plaintiff terminated her employment voluntarily, and if she did not, whether she can qualify as a representative of the class under Fed.R.Civ.P. 23(a). The court, under such circumstances, will then give consideration to what equitable relief the plaintiff may be entitled to.

[*~1241]38

The judgment is reversed and the case is remanded for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion.

*

Hon. Elbert P. Tuttle, United States Circuit Judge, Fifth Circuit, sitting by designation

1

Section 1291 provides:

"The courts of appeals shall have jurisdiction of appeals from all final decisions of the district courts of the United States . . . except where a direct review may be had in the Supreme Court."

2

These exceptions are commonly known as the "death knell" and the "collateral order" doctrines. See Cohen v. Beneficial Industrial Loan Corp., 337 U.S. 541, 69 S.Ct. 1221, 93 L.Ed. 1528 (1949); Eisen v. Carlisle & Jacquelin, 370 F.2d 119 (2d Cir. 1966), Cert. denied, 386 U.S. 1035, 87 S.Ct. 1487, 18 L.Ed.2d 598 (1967). Compare Eisen v. Carlisle & Jacquelin, 417 U.S. 156, 94 S.Ct. 2140, 2148-2150, 40 L.Ed.2d 732 (1974). See generally 3B Moore's Federal Practice, P 23.97

3

King v. Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc., 479 F.2d 1259 (7th Cir. 1973)

4

See generally Note, Interlocutory Appeal from Order Striking Class Action Allegations, 70 Colum.L.Rev. 1292 (1970)

5

The district court summarily denied the plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction without assigning any reasons for its decision. We believe the reason the court dealt with the motion in the manner it did was because the plaintiff's only arguments in favor of the motion were advanced on behalf of the class which the district court had months before struck from the suit; indeed, the only allegations of irreparable injury concerned the injury to a class the court no longer viewed as part of the suit. Under these circumstances, we are convinced the court's class action determination controlled its subsequent denial of preliminary injunction

6

When the district court denied the plaintiff's request to maintain her suit as a class action it also denied the motions of three other employees of the defendants who sought to intervene in the action, who also alleged racial and sex discrimination. These employees were represented by the same counsel who presently represent the plaintiff. Unaccountably, these intervenors failed to appeal the district court's denial of intervention

7

In her charge to the EEOC the plaintiff alleged in part that

"I feel that I am being discriminated in the terms and conditions of my employment because of my race, Negro. I have worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield approx. three years during which time I no problem until May, 1970 when I got my natural hairstyle. Later when I came up for promotion it was denied because my supervisor, Al Frymier, said I could never represent Blue Cross with my Afro. He also accused me of being the leader of the girls on the floor."

8

We note that the plaintiff properly alleged only racial discrimination as part of her § 1981 claim; § 1981 has been generally read to apply only to discrimination based on race. See Jones v. Alfred H. Mayer Co., 392 U.S. 409, 413, 88 S.Ct. 2186, 20 L.Ed.2d 1189 (1968); Long v. Ford Motor Co., 496 F.2d 500, 503 (6th Cir. 1974); Arnold v. Tiffany, 487 F.2d 216, 217 (9th Cir. 1973), Cert. denied, 415 U.S. 984, 94 S.Ct. 1578, 39 L.Ed.2d 881 (1974); But see Guerra v. Manchester Terminal Corp., 498 F.2d 641 (5th Cir. 1974)

9

Specifically the plaintiff's complaint alleged that Blue Cross-Blue Shield discriminated on the basis of race and sex by

"a. Maintaining requirements for office and clerical positions which denied blacks equal opportunity for employment in such positions which are neither job-related nor necessary to the safe, efficient conduct of defendant's business.

b. Requiring employees to stay within strictly delineated confines of dress codes and hairstyles which, not only discriminate against blacks because of their race, but more invidiously imperils the ability of blacks to rid themselves of a vestige of slavery by requiring them to accept white hairstyles and dress styles as a term and condition of employment.

c. Failing and refusing to hire, facilitate the hiring of, or promote persons who are black to supervisory or managerial positions in departments other than those where the majority of workers are black.

d. Assigning blacks and women to the lowest-paying office and clerical jobs and virtually excluding them from higher-paying office and clerical and managerial positions.

e. Paying blacks less money than whites for identical jobs.

f. Failing and refusing to promote blacks and women because of their race and sex.

g. Failing and refusing to hire blacks because of their race.

h. Failing to recruit blacks on the same basis for the same jobs as whites.

i. Utilizing paper and pencil tests which deny and tend to deny black persons equal opportunity for hiring and promotion, which tests are not job-related and are not necessary to the safe and efficient conduct of the defendant's business."

The complaint requested injunctive relief against these practices, as well as reinstatement of the plaintiff and back pay and other restitutionary relief for the plaintiff and other members of the class injured because of the allegedly discriminatory practices.