Case: United States of America v. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

2:04-cv-07699 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: Sept. 16, 2004

Closed Date: 2006

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On September 16, 2004, the U.S. Department of Justice ("D.O.J.") filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority ("MTA") under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The D.O.J. sought injunctive and remedial relief, alleging that the defendant violated Title VII by discriminating against employees and applicants for employment and a Bus Operator Trainee at the MTA on the basis of religion.The …

On September 16, 2004, the U.S. Department of Justice ("D.O.J.") filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority ("MTA") under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The D.O.J. sought injunctive and remedial relief, alleging that the defendant violated Title VII by discriminating against employees and applicants for employment and a Bus Operator Trainee at the MTA on the basis of religion.

The complaint alleges that MTA discriminated against employees and applicants for employment on the basis of religion by: (1) failing or refusing to reasonably accommodate employees and applicants for employment who, in accordance with their religious practices and/or beliefs, were unable to work weekend shifts; (2) failing or refusing to hire applicants with such religious beliefs; and (3) failing or refusing to take appropriate action to eliminate and remedy the effects of such policies and practices. The complaint further alleges that MTA discriminated against a named employee by: (1) refusing to reasonably accommodate his religious belief and practice of observing the Sabbath from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday; (2) terminating his employment because of this religious practice; and (3) refusing to take appropriate action to remedy the effects of the discriminatory treatment against this employee.

On October 4, 2005, the district court (John F. Walter) entered a settlement agreement and order ordering the defendant to: (1) provide specific provisions for religious unpaid leave status; (2) create, adopt and provide to the DOJ, a written Religious Accommodation Policy tsetting forth specific rights and obligations of MTA; (3) modify its job marketing material to state that the MTA is an equal opportunity employer; (4) reschedule shifts for bus operators whose religious obligations interfere with their training session or work hours; (5)provide monetary relief to the named employee; and (6) train individuals regarding Title VII's prohibitions against religious discrimination and the religious accommodations.

We have no further information on this case.

Summary Authors

Hyun Jeong Yang (11/5/2007)

People


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Ehrlich, Anat (District of Columbia)

Fenton, William B. (District of Columbia)

Gardner, Leslie M. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Fortner, Raymond G. Jr. (California)

Goodrich, Brenton F. (California)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:04-cv-07699

Docket (PACER)

June 15, 2006

June 15, 2006

Docket
1

2:04-cv-07699

Complaint

Sept. 16, 2004

Sept. 16, 2004

Complaint
38

2:04-cv-07699

Settlement Agreement and (Proposed) Order

Oct. 4, 2005

Oct. 4, 2005

Settlement Agreement

Docket

Last updated March 20, 2024, 3:19 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Defendant Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. (No Filing fee required.) Jury Demanded, filed by plaintiff United States of America. (jp, ) (Entered: 09/22/2004)

Sept. 16, 2004

Sept. 16, 2004

2

CERTIFICATION of Interested Parties filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (jp, ) (Entered: 09/22/2004)

Sept. 16, 2004

Sept. 16, 2004

3

NOTICE TO PARTIES OF ADR PILOT PROGRAM filed.(jp, ) (Entered: 09/22/2004)

Sept. 16, 2004

Sept. 16, 2004

FAX number for Attorneys Anat Ehrlich, William B Fenton, David J Palmer is 202-514-1005. (jp, ) (Entered: 09/22/2004)

Sept. 16, 2004

Sept. 16, 2004

4

STANDING ORDER by Judge John F. Walter: READ THIS ORDER CAREFULLY. IT CONTROLS THE CASE AND DIFFERS IN SOME RESPECTS FROM THE LOCAL RULES; memoranda of Points and Authorities in support of or in opposition to motions shall not exceed 25 pages; replies shall not exceed 12 pages (see document for further details). (jp, ) (Entered: 09/22/2004)

Sept. 16, 2004

Sept. 16, 2004

5

ANSWER to Complaint - (Discovery)[1] filed by defendant Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.(lc, ) (Entered: 10/07/2004)

Oct. 6, 2004

Oct. 6, 2004

6

MINUTES:In Chambers: Scheduling Conference set for 11/29/2004 08:30 AM; compliance with FRCP 26 and Rule 26 Meeting Report and ADR questionaire due by 11/15/2004; plaintiff counsel directed to give notice of scheduling conference to all parties that have appeared and immediately to each party that makes an initial appearance by Judge John F. Walter.Court Reporter: none. (lc, ) (Entered: 10/07/2004)

Oct. 6, 2004

Oct. 6, 2004

7

CERTIFICATE of Interested Parties filed by Defendant Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. (lc, ) (Entered: 10/07/2004)

Oct. 6, 2004

Oct. 6, 2004

8

NOTICE of Association of Counsel associating attorney Ira A Weinreb, Brenton F Goodrich on behalf of Defendant Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Filed by defendant Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (bg, ) (Entered: 10/26/2004)

Oct. 19, 2004

Oct. 19, 2004

FAX number for Attorney Brenton F Goodrich, Ira A Weinreb is 213-683-6669. (bg, ) (Entered: 10/26/2004)

Oct. 19, 2004

Oct. 19, 2004

9

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Compel plaintiff to join United Transportation Union, Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1277, Transportation Communications Union Local 1315, American Federation of State County and Municipal employees Union Local 3634 and Local 3150 in this action; filed by Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Motion set for hearing on 11/22/2004 at 01:30 PM before Honorable John F. Walter. Lodged order. (lc, ) Modified on 11/8/2004 (lc, ). (Entered: 10/28/2004)

Oct. 27, 2004

Oct. 27, 2004

10

MEMORANDUM in Support of MOTION to Compel[9] filed by defendant Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. (lc, ) (Entered: 10/28/2004)

Oct. 27, 2004

Oct. 27, 2004

13

NOTICE OF CLERICAL ERROR Re: 10/27/04 non public utility event erroneously issued document item control number 12, no document 12 exists (lc, ) (Entered: 10/28/2004)

Oct. 28, 2004

Oct. 28, 2004

14

STIPULATION AND ORDER by Judge John F. Walter : re hearing on defendants motion to Compel plaintiff to join United Transportation Union, Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1277, Transportaiton communications Union Local 1315, American Federation of State County and Municipal employees union local 3634 and local 3150 in this action;[9] to 11/29/04 1:30 and Scheduling Conference continued to 11/29/2004 01:30 PM (lc, ) (Entered: 11/05/2004)

Nov. 4, 2004

Nov. 4, 2004

Set/Reset Hearings: Scheduling Conference continued for 11/29/2004 01:30 PM before Honorable John F. Walter. (lc, ) (Entered: 11/05/2004)

Nov. 4, 2004

Nov. 4, 2004

15

DECLARATION of James Williams regarding MOTION to Compel plaintiff to join United Transportation Union, Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1277, Transportation Communications Union Local 1315, American Federation of State County and Municipal employees Union Local 3634 and Local 3150 in this action [9] filed by movant United Transportation Union. (lc, ) (Entered: 11/08/2004)

Nov. 5, 2004

Nov. 5, 2004

16

JOINT REPORT Rule 26(f) Discovery Plan filed; estimated length of trial 5-7 days. (lc, ) (Entered: 11/16/2004)

Nov. 15, 2004

Nov. 15, 2004

17

ADR PILOT PROGRAM QUESTIONNAIRE filed by attorney Anat Ehrlich, Ira A Weinreb on behalf of Defendant Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Plaintiff United States of America.(lc, ) (Entered: 11/16/2004)

Nov. 15, 2004

Nov. 15, 2004

18

OPPOSITION to motion Compel plaintiff to join United Transportation Union, Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1277, Transportation Communications Union Local 1315, American Federation of State County and Municipal employees Union Local 3634 and Local 3150 in this action [9] filed by plaintiff United States of America. (lc, ) (Entered: 11/18/2004)

Nov. 15, 2004

Nov. 15, 2004

19

OPPOSITION to Request for Judicial Notice[11] filed by plaintiff United States of America. (lc, ) (Entered: 11/18/2004)

Nov. 15, 2004

Nov. 15, 2004

22

REPLY to opposition to Request for Judicial Notice[11] filed by defendant Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. (lc, ) (Entered: 12/01/2004)

Nov. 22, 2004

Nov. 22, 2004

23

REPLY to opposition to MOTION to Compel joinder of unions[9] filed by defendant Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. (lc, ) (Entered: 12/01/2004)

Nov. 22, 2004

Nov. 22, 2004

20

ORDER by Judge John F. Walter, case ordered to Attorney Settlement Officer Panel for a Local Rule 16-14 settlement conference. Within 10 days, plaintiff shall notify the ADR Program Coordinator of name of Attorney Settlement Officer who will conduct the settlement conference.(lc, ) (Entered: 11/30/2004)

Nov. 29, 2004

Nov. 29, 2004

21

SCHEDULING AND CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER: jury trial: 9/27/05 8:30 AM; hearing on motions in limine and disputed jury instructions 9/23/05 1:00PM; final pretrial conference 9/2/05 1:00 PM, file proposed voir dire Qs and Agrede to statement of case 9/2/05; lodge pretrial conference order, file motions in lmine, memo of contentions, exhibit list and exhibit stipulation, witness lists and summary of witness testimony, status report regarding settlement, agreed set of jury instructions and verdict forms, joint statement regarding disputed instructions, verdicts etc: 8/26/05; last day for hearing motions: 8/1/05 1:30PM; discovery cutoff 7/26/05; last day to conduct settlement conference 7/1/05; last day to file joint report regarding settlement conference results by Judge John F. Walter (lc, ) (Entered: 11/30/2004)

Nov. 29, 2004

Nov. 29, 2004

24

MINUTES OF Motion Hearing held on Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority MOTION to Compel plaintiff to join United Transportation Union, Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1277, Transportation Communications Union Local 1315, American Federation of State County and Municipal employees Union Local 3634 and Local 3150 in this action ; motion is Granted as to United Transportation Union and Denied as moot as to Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1277, Transportation Communications Union Local 1315, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union Local 3634 and Local 3150, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 911; plaintiff shall file first Amended complaint naming the United Transportation Union as defendant on or before 12/13/2004 [9] by Judge John F. Walter; Court Reporter: none. (lc, ) (Entered: 12/03/2004)

Nov. 29, 2004

Nov. 29, 2004

MOTION to Compel to join complaint[9] REFERRED to Judge John F. Walter. (lc, ) (Entered: 12/01/2004)

Dec. 1, 2004

Dec. 1, 2004

26

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT against defendants United Transportation Union, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority amending Complaint - (Discovery)[1] ; Jury demandfiled by plaintiff United States of America (lc, ) (Entered: 12/14/2004)

Dec. 13, 2004

Dec. 13, 2004

27

CERTIFICATE of Interested Parties filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (lc, ) (Entered: 12/14/2004)

Dec. 13, 2004

Dec. 13, 2004

Summons Issued re Amended Complaint[26] as to United Transportation Union, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. (lc, ) (Entered: 12/14/2004)

Dec. 13, 2004

Dec. 13, 2004

PLACED IN FILE - NOT USED re Proposed Order Compelling Joinder of Necessary Parties submitted by Defendant Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. (mch, ) (Entered: 12/17/2004)

Dec. 14, 2004

Dec. 14, 2004

28

ANSWER to Amended Complaint[26] filed by defendant Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.(lc, ) (Entered: 01/04/2005)

Jan. 3, 2005

Jan. 3, 2005

29

ANSWER to Amended Complaint[26] filed by defendant United Transportation Union.(lc, ) (Entered: 01/12/2005)

Jan. 11, 2005

Jan. 11, 2005

30

CERTIFICATE of Interested Parties filed by Defendant United Transportation Union. (lc, ) (Entered: 01/12/2005)

Jan. 11, 2005

Jan. 11, 2005

31

ATTORNEY SETTLEMENT OFFICER PROCEEDING REPORT filed; Settlement Proceedings held on 5/3/05; Settlement Proceedings Outcome: is continuing with consent of al parties and counsel ; Settlement Proceedings is Continuing(lc, ) (Entered: 05/09/2005)

May 5, 2005

May 5, 2005

32

STIPULATION AND ORDER by Judge John F. Walter : extending dates for designating and providing reports for experts be continued four weeks before discovery cutoff (June 27) for affirmative experts and two weeks abefore discovery cutoff (July 11) for rebuttal experts(lc, ) (Entered: 05/18/2005)

May 17, 2005

May 17, 2005

33

ORDER DISMISSING CIVIL ACTION by Judge John F. Walter that this action is dismissed without prejudice to the right, upon good cause shown within 90 days, to reopen the action if settlement is not consummated. This Court retains full jurisdiction over this action and this Order shall not prejudice any party to this action. (Made JS-6. Case Terminated.)(jp, ) (Entered: 06/23/2005)

June 22, 2005

June 22, 2005

34

STIPULATION Vacating Litigation Dates Pending Settlement AND ORDER by Judge John F. Walter:(shb, ) (Entered: 06/27/2005)

June 22, 2005

June 22, 2005

35

MINUTES OF IN CHAMBERS ORDER by Judge John F. Walter : Notice to counsel a Telephonic Status Conference set for 9/30/2005 01:00 PM; counsel resposnible for trial shall appear via telephone; plaintiff is directed to initiate call and make sure all parties are on line prior to contacting chambers;Court Reporter: none. (lc, ) (Entered: 09/30/2005)

Sept. 29, 2005

Sept. 29, 2005

36

MINUTES OF Telephone Conference regarding settlement held before Judge John F. Walter : Court and counsel confer regarding status of settlement; counsel shall lodge proposed order to reopen case for purpose of filing their settlement agreement; Court Reporter: Nancy Smith-Wells. (lc, ) (Entered: 10/03/2005)

Sept. 30, 2005

Sept. 30, 2005

PLACED IN FILE - NOT USED re proposed stipulation and order to reopen case submitted by United States of America, United Transportation Union, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. (lc, ) (Entered: 10/04/2005)

Sept. 30, 2005

Sept. 30, 2005

37

STIPULATION AND ORDER by Judge John F. Walter : Reopening case pending review of pending settlement agreement (Case reopened. MD JS-5.)(lc, ) (Entered: 10/06/2005)

Oct. 3, 2005

Oct. 3, 2005

38

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND ORDER by Judge John F. Walter (lc, ) (Entered: 10/06/2005)

Oct. 4, 2005

Oct. 4, 2005

39

ORDER by Judge John F. Walter: dismissing action upon re Stipulation and order Reopening case pending review of settlement agreement3738; order approving settlement agreement signed and filed; jurisdiction retained for two years following effective date of settlement agreement for purpose of resolving any disputes ot resolved in accordance with Section 4/17.1 of settlement agreement; actions is dismissed without prejudice to the right upon good cause shown on or before 10/4/07 to reopen this action for limited purpose of resolving any Disputes not resolved in accordance with Section 4.17.1 of settlement agreemtn; action shall be dismissed with prejudice on 10/5/07, (Made JS-6. Case Terminated.)(lc, ) (Entered: 10/06/2005)

Oct. 4, 2005

Oct. 4, 2005

FAX number for Attorney Brenton F Goodrich, Ira A Weinreb is 213-683-6669. (lc, ) (Entered: 06/16/2006)

June 14, 2006

June 14, 2006

40

NOTICE of Change of Attorney Information: changing firm address to 555 South Flower Street, 30th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071; 213-683-6693 for attorney Brenton F Goodrich. Filed by defendant United Transportation Union, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (lc, ) (Entered: 06/16/2006)

June 15, 2006

June 15, 2006

FAX number for Attorney Brenton F Goodrich is 213-683- 6669. (lc, ) (Entered: 06/16/2006)

June 15, 2006

June 15, 2006

Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 16, 2004

Closing Date: 2006

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States of America on behalf of a Jewish MTA employee and other employees that were denied religious accommodation

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Los Angeles), County

United Transportation Union (Los Angeles), County

Defendant Type(s):

Transportation

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Monetary Relief

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Amount Defendant Pays: 25,000

Order Duration: 2007 - 2009

Content of Injunction:

Hire

Reasonable Accommodation

Discrimination Prohibition

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law

Recordkeeping

Issues

General:

Pattern or Practice

Discrimination-area:

Accommodation / Leave

Hiring

Other Conditions of Employment (including assignment, transfer, hours, working conditions, etc)

Discrimination-basis:

Religion discrimination