Case: EEOC v. NORTHWEST AIRLINES, INC. (BA/COWAN)

1:01-cv-01206 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

Filed Date: Aug. 1, 2001

Closed Date: April 26, 2002

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In August 2001, the EEOC filed this suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia against Northwest Airlines, Inc., alleging violations of equal employment opportunity laws. Specifically, the EEOC alleged that the defendant had discriminated against some of its ramp workers due to their race (black) and national origin (Senegalese, Nigerian, Pakistani and Ethiopian). Although the only information available for this summary was the docket, it is known that there were som…

In August 2001, the EEOC filed this suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia against Northwest Airlines, Inc., alleging violations of equal employment opportunity laws. Specifically, the EEOC alleged that the defendant had discriminated against some of its ramp workers due to their race (black) and national origin (Senegalese, Nigerian, Pakistani and Ethiopian). Although the only information available for this summary was the docket, it is known that there were some arguments concerning whether to consolidate this case with other, pending cases, and whether to treat the case as a class action. This case was never consolidated and its class action status was maintained. The parties settled in April 2002; the defendant agreed to pay $280,000 in damages.

On April 26, 2002 and order was entered in the United States District Court, dismissing this action with prejudice and stating that each party shall bear their own costs and attorney's fees.

Summary Authors

Keri Livingston (7/31/2007)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:01-cv-01206

Docket (PACER)

Equal Employment v. Northwest Airlines

April 29, 2002

April 29, 2002

Docket
44

1:01-cv-01206

Order

EEOC v. Northwest Airlines, Inc.

April 26, 2002

April 26, 2002

Order/Opinion

1:01-cv-01206

FY 2002 Office of General Counsel Annual Report

EEOC v. Northwest Airlines

No Court

June 16, 2003

June 16, 2003

Press Release

Resources

Docket

Last updated Jan. 25, 2024, 3:04 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT; jury demand (mcke) (Entered: 08/02/2001)

Aug. 1, 2001

Aug. 1, 2001

Jury Trial Flag (mcke) (Entered: 08/02/2001)

Aug. 1, 2001

Aug. 1, 2001

SUMMONS(ES) (Org. & 1) issued and mailed to atty for service by SPS on deft Northwest Airlines (mcke) (Entered: 08/02/2001)

Aug. 2, 2001

Aug. 2, 2001

2

AMENDED COMPLAINT by Equal Employment ; amending [1-1] complaint; jury demand (mcke) (Entered: 09/10/2001)

Sept. 10, 2001

Sept. 10, 2001

NOTICE of lawsuit & request for wavier of service as to deft (mcke) (Entered: 09/10/2001)

Sept. 10, 2001

Sept. 10, 2001

4

MOTION by Northwest Airlines for enlargement of time to answer (clar) (Entered: 09/25/2001)

Sept. 21, 2001

Sept. 21, 2001

5

NOTICE of Hearing: Motion Hearing Deadline set for 10:00 10/5/01 for [4-1] motion by Northwest Airlines for enlargement of time to answer (clar) (Entered: 09/25/2001)

Sept. 21, 2001

Sept. 21, 2001

6

ORDER setting Initial Pretrial Conference for 10:15 10/31/01 Discovery Deadline for 2/15/02 Final Pretrial Conference for 12:15 2/21/02 (see order for details) ( signed by Judge Claude M. Hilton ) Copies Mailed: Yes (kjon) (Entered: 10/03/2001)

Oct. 3, 2001

Oct. 3, 2001

7

Response by Equal Employment to [4-1] motion by Northwest Airlines for enlargement of time to answer (clar) (Entered: 10/04/2001)

Oct. 4, 2001

Oct. 4, 2001

9

ORDER, for reasons stated in a telephone conference this date, it is ordered as follows: [4-1] motion by Northwest Airlines for enlargement of time to answer is granted, and the time in which dft may serve a response to the first amended complaint is extended through 10/29/01, the Rule 16(b) conference previously scheduled is continued to 11/14/01 at 10:00 in the chambers of the undersigned Magistrate Judge (see order for details) (signed by Magistrate Judge Thomas R. Jones Jr.) Copies Mailed: Yes [EOD Date: 10/9/01] (kjon) (Entered: 10/09/2001)

Oct. 4, 2001

Oct. 4, 2001

Deadline updated; reset Initial Pretrial Conference for 10:00 11/14/01 (kjon) (Entered: 10/09/2001)

Oct. 4, 2001

Oct. 4, 2001

Deadline updated; reset Answer deadline to 10/29/01 for Northwest Airlines (kjon) (Entered: 10/10/2001)

Oct. 4, 2001

Oct. 4, 2001

Per TRJ motions set for 10/5/01 on papers (clar) (Entered: 10/05/2001)

Oct. 5, 2001

Oct. 5, 2001

8

Financial Interest Disclosure Statement (Local Rule 7.1) by Northwest Airlines (ppal) (Entered: 10/09/2001)

Oct. 5, 2001

Oct. 5, 2001

10

ANSWER by Northwest Airlines to amended complaint (mcke) (Entered: 11/01/2001)

Oct. 31, 2001

Oct. 31, 2001

11

JOINT Discovery Plan by Equal Employment, Northwest Airlines (mcke) (Entered: 11/09/2001)

Nov. 9, 2001

Nov. 9, 2001

12

ORDER, for Juan Carlos Martinez Hunt to appear pro hac vice (fee waived govt Employee) ( signed by Judge James C. Cacheris ) Copies Mailed: yes [EOD Date: 11/14/01] (mcke) (Entered: 11/14/2001)

Nov. 14, 2001

Nov. 14, 2001

Initial pretrial conference held; MJ Jones; Appearances of Counsel. Rule 16(b) order to be entered. Discovery plan approved with amendments. ADR/Settlement: discussed, but nothing else at this time. (kjon) (Entered: 11/15/2001)

Nov. 14, 2001

Nov. 14, 2001

13

Rule 16(B) Scheduling Order - Pursuant to the Rule 16(B) Conference it is hereby ordered that: Discovery shall be concluded by 3/15/01. The final pretrial conference is continued to 3/21/01 at 12:15 p.m.; Any motion to amend the pleadings or to join a party shall be filed not later than 12/15/01. (see order for details) (signed by Magistrate Judge Thomas R. Jones Jr.) Copies Mailed: Yes (kjon) (Entered: 11/15/2001)

Nov. 14, 2001

Nov. 14, 2001

14

Rule 16(B) Scheduling Order - Pursuant to the Rule 16(B) Conference it is hereby ordered that: Discovery shall be concluded by 3/15/02. The final pretrial conference is continued to 3/21/02 at 12:15 p.m.; Any motion to amend the pleadings or to join a party shall be filed not later than 12/15/01. (see order for details) (signed by Magistrate Judge Thomas R. Jones Jr.) Copies Mailed: Yes (kjon) (Entered: 11/15/2001)

Nov. 15, 2001

Nov. 15, 2001

Deadline updated; reset Discovery deadline to 3/15/02 , reset Pretrial Conference for 12:15 3/21/02 (kjon) (Entered: 11/15/2001)

Nov. 15, 2001

Nov. 15, 2001

15

Letter to counsel from Mag. Judge Sewell re: at your request I have scheduled a settlement conference for Friday, December 28, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. in my chambers. For each party, please provide a confidential settlement position delivered or faxed to my chambers no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 26, 2001. - filed (mcke) (Entered: 12/20/2001)

Dec. 20, 2001

Dec. 20, 2001

Deadline updated; set Settlement Conference for 10:00 12/28/01 before Mag. Judge Sewell (mcke) (Entered: 12/20/2001)

Dec. 20, 2001

Dec. 20, 2001

16

MOTION by Northwest Airlines to Strike claims , or by Northwest Airlines to Dismiss claims , and by Northwest Airlines to Stay proceedings pending arbitration (told to notice) (mcke) (Entered: 12/26/2001)

Dec. 21, 2001

Dec. 21, 2001

17

MEMORANDUM by Northwest Airlines in support of [16-1] motion to Strike claims , [16-2] motion by Northwest Airlines to Dismiss claims , [16-3] motion by Northwest Airlines to Stay proceedings pending arbitration (mcke) (Entered: 12/26/2001)

Dec. 21, 2001

Dec. 21, 2001

18

MOTION with Memorandum in Support by Northwest Airlines by Northwest Airlines for Protective Order (will notice) (mcke) (Entered: 12/28/2001)

Dec. 28, 2001

Dec. 28, 2001

19

ORDER, for Barbara Brice-Brown to appear pro hac vice ( signed by Judge Leonie M. Brinkema ) Copies Mailed: 12/31/01 [EOD Date: 12/31/01] (agil) (Entered: 12/31/2001)

Dec. 28, 2001

Dec. 28, 2001

20

MEMORANDUM by Equal Employment in opposition to [16-1] motion by Northwest Airlines to Strike claims by Northwest Airlines, [16-2] motion by Northwest Airlines to Dismiss claims , [16-3] motion by Northwest Airlines to Stay proceedings pending arbitration (mcke) (Entered: 01/03/2002)

Jan. 2, 2002

Jan. 2, 2002

21

NOTICE of Hearing: Motion Hearing Deadline set for 10:00 1/18/02 for [16-1] motion by Northwest Airlines to Strike claims, set for 10:00 1/18/02 for [16-2] motion by Northwest Airlines to Dismiss claims, set for 10:00 1/18/02 for [16-3] motion by Northwest Airlines to Stay proceedings pending arbitration (clar) (Entered: 01/07/2002)

Jan. 4, 2002

Jan. 4, 2002

22

MOTION by Equal Employment for Leave to File Amended Complaint to add allegations of retaliation (clar) (Entered: 01/07/2002)

Jan. 4, 2002

Jan. 4, 2002

23

MEMORANDUM by Equal Employment in support of [22-1] motion by Equal Employment for Leave to File Amended Complaint to add allegations of retaliation (LARGE PLEADING) (clar) (Entered: 01/07/2002)

Jan. 4, 2002

Jan. 4, 2002

25

MOTION with Memorandum in Support by Equal Employment to Consolidate Cases CA 01-1206-A with CA 01-1945-A (Northwest Airlines, Inc. v. Curtis Cowan) and CA 01-1946-A (Northwest Airlines, Inc. v. Elhadgi Ba) (clar) (Entered: 01/07/2002)

Jan. 4, 2002

Jan. 4, 2002

26

NOTICE of Hearing: Motion Hearing Deadline set for 10:00 1/18/02 for [25-1] motion by Equal Employment to Consolidate Cases CA 01-1206-A with CA 01-1945-A (Northwest Airlines, Inc. v. Curtis Cowan) and CA 01-1946-A (Northwest Airlines, Inc. v. Elhadgi Ba) (clar) (Entered: 01/07/2002)

Jan. 4, 2002

Jan. 4, 2002

27

REPLY MEMORANDUM in support by Northwest Airlines of [16-1] motion by Northwest Airlines to Strike claims, [16-2] motion by Northwest Airlines to Dismiss claims, [16-3] motion by Northwest Airlines to Stay proceedings pending arbitration (clar) (Entered: 01/11/2002)

Jan. 10, 2002

Jan. 10, 2002

28

MEMORANDUM by Equal Employment in opposition to [18-1] motion by Northwest Airlines for Protective Order and Application for Costs (stas) (Entered: 01/11/2002)

Jan. 10, 2002

Jan. 10, 2002

29

MOTION by Northwest Airlines for Order Declaring that Action may not be maintained as a Class Action (clar) (Entered: 01/14/2002)

Jan. 11, 2002

Jan. 11, 2002

30

MEMORANDUM by Northwest Airlines in support of [29-1] motion by Northwest Airlines for Order Declaring that Action may not be maintained as a Class Action (clar) (Entered: 01/14/2002)

Jan. 11, 2002

Jan. 11, 2002

31

NOTICE of Hearing: Motion Hearing Deadline set for 10:00 1/18/02 for [29-1] motion by Northwest Airlines for Order Declaring that Action may not be maintained as a Class Action (clar) (Entered: 01/14/2002)

Jan. 11, 2002

Jan. 11, 2002

32

MEMORANDUM by Equal Employment in opposition to [29-1] motion by Northwest Airlines for Order Declaring that Action may not be maintained as a Class Action (clar) (Entered: 01/17/2002)

Jan. 16, 2002

Jan. 16, 2002

33

MEMORANDUM by Northwest Airlines in opposition to [22-1] motion by Equal Employment for Leave to File Amended Complaint to add allegations of retaliation (clar) (Entered: 01/17/2002)

Jan. 17, 2002

Jan. 17, 2002

Minute entry: (GBL) r: Thomson. Appearances: Counsel On for hearing on motions - deft motion to dismiss/strike/stay - w/d; Pltf motion to consolidate 01-1945 and 01-1946 w/ this case is w/d as moot as those cases are dismissed. Deft motion that this action may not be maintained as a class action - argued and denied. Pltf motion to amend complaint - argued and granted - Answer is due w/i 10 days and pltf is to produce discovery w/i 14 days. Order to enter. (jsol) (Entered: 01/18/2002)

Jan. 18, 2002

Jan. 18, 2002

34

MOTION with Memorandum in Support by Equal Employment by Equal Employment to Withdraw [25-1] motion by Equal Employment to Consolidate Cases CA 01-1206-A with CA 01-1945-A (Northwest Airlines, Inc. v. Curtis Cowan) and CA 01-1946-A (Northwest Airlines, Inc. v. Elhadgi Ba) by Equal Employment (mcke) (Entered: 01/18/2002) [16-2] motion by Northwest Airlines to Dismiss claims, [16-3] motion by Northwest Airlines to Stay proceedings pending arbitration are denied. [22-1] motion by Equal Employment for Leave to File Amended Complaint to add allegations of retaliation is granted. Ordered that deft file and serve responsive pleadings by 2/1/02. Ordered that pltf produce any discoverable matter re: retaliation count by 2/1/02. [29-1] motion by Northwest Airlines for Order Declaring that Action may not be maintained as a Class Action is denied. ( signed by Judge Gerald B. Lee ) Copies faxed: y [EOD Date: 1/29/02] (jsol) Modified on 01/29/2002 (Entered: 01/29/2002)

Jan. 18, 2002

Jan. 18, 2002

37

SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT by Equal Employment ; amending [2-1] amended complaint by Equal Employment; jury demand (mcke) (Entered: 02/04/2002)

Jan. 28, 2002

Jan. 28, 2002

35

TRANSCRIPT proceedings for dates of 1/18/02 (GBL) (mcke) (Entered: 01/29/2002)

Jan. 29, 2002

Jan. 29, 2002

38

ANSWER by Northwest Airlines to Second amended complaint (mcke) (Entered: 02/04/2002)

Feb. 1, 2002

Feb. 1, 2002

39

MOTION by Northwest Airlines to Withdraw [18-1] motion by Northwest Airlines for Protective Order and memorandum in support therefo (mcke) (Entered: 02/05/2002)

Feb. 5, 2002

Feb. 5, 2002

40

Consent Order for Protective Order re: confidential material (see order for more details) ( signed by Judge Gerald B. Lee ) Copies Mailed: yes (mcke) (Entered: 02/06/2002)

Feb. 6, 2002

Feb. 6, 2002

**Set Protective Order Flag. (mcke) (Entered: 02/06/2002)

Feb. 6, 2002

Feb. 6, 2002

41

JOINT MOTION with Memorandum in Support by Northwest Airlines, Equal Employment for Modification of Rule 16(B) Scheduling Order , and by Northwest Airlines, Equal Employment for Additional Depositions (stas) (Entered: 03/01/2002)

March 1, 2002

March 1, 2002

42

Consent Order granting [41-1] motion by Northwest Airlines, Equal Employment for Modification of Rule 16(B) Scheduling Order, granting [41-2] motion by Northwest Airlines, Equal Employment for Additional Depositions. Ordered that the discovery cutoff date is extended to 4/15/02, that the final pretrial conference is continued to 4/18/02 at 10:10 a.m., and that leave is GRANTED for each party to take more than 15 non-party, non-expert depositions. ( signed by Magistrate Judge Thomas R. Jones Jr. ) Copies Mailed: yes (mcke) (Entered: 03/05/2002)

March 4, 2002

March 4, 2002

Deadline updated; reset Discovery deadline to 4/15/02 , reset Pretrial Conference for 10:10 4/18/02 (mcke) (Entered: 03/05/2002)

March 4, 2002

March 4, 2002

43

JOINT STIPULATION of dismissal the parties jointly request that the court enter the attached order, dismissing the case with prejudice, pursuant to FRCP 41(a)(2). - filed by pltf and deft (mcke) (Entered: 04/26/2002)

April 26, 2002

April 26, 2002

44

ORDER, based upon the joint stipulation of Dismissal the parties filed herein, and for good cause shown, this civil action is hereby dismissed, with prejudice. The parties shall bear their own costs, disbursements, and attorneys fees regarding this civil action and its dismissal ( signed by Judge Gerald B. Lee ) Copies Mailed: yes [EOD Date: 4/26/02] (mcke) (Entered: 04/26/2002)

April 26, 2002

April 26, 2002

Case closed (mcke) (Entered: 04/26/2002)

April 26, 2002

April 26, 2002

CASE assinged to Judge Gerald B. Lee (mcke) (Entered: 04/26/2002)

April 26, 2002

April 26, 2002

all pleadings accounted for (mcke) (Entered: 04/29/2002)

April 29, 2002

April 29, 2002

Case Details

State / Territory: Virginia

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 1, 2001

Closing Date: April 26, 2002

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on behalf of one or more workers.

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Northwest Airlines, Inc., Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Voluntary Dismissal

Amount Defendant Pays: 280000

Issues

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Impact

Disparate Treatment

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

Discrimination-basis:

National origin discrimination

Race discrimination

Race:

Black

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

National Origin/Ethnicity:

Arab/Afgani/Middle Eastern