On August 3, 2005, two employees filed a class action complaint against their employer, Cintas Corporation, under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 and under the California Unfair Business Practices Act, Business and Professions Code § 17200 et seq., in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, alleged racial discrimination. They asked the court for declaratory, injunctive, and equitable monetary relief, as well as compensatory and punitive damages, equitable remedies of accounting, restitution and disgorgement, and an award of costs, expenses, and attorneys' fees. Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged that Cintas had engaged in a company-wide pattern and practice of employment discrimination, both intentional and systemic, on the basis of race, against them and a class of similarly situated African-American employees, former employees, and applicants who sought management positions in Cintas' Rental Division. The alleged discriminatory practices included discrimination in hiring, promotion, and compensation for management positions on a class-wide basis.

On August 31, 2005, the court officially consolidated the case with Ramirez et al v. Cintas Corporation, a related case also in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California in which the plaintiffs filed their fourth amended complaint on August 3, 2005.

On December 29, 2005, arbitration began following the court's order. On August 16, 2006, the Arbitrator found that the arbitration agreements permitted class arbitration. On November 22, 2006, the court (Judge Jeffrey S. White) denied Cintas' petition and motion to vacate the arbitration award, and ordered the parties to submit joint status reports. Ramirez v. Cintas Corporation, 2006 WL 3388628, (N.D. Cal. 2006).

Both parties continued to submit joint status reports following an court order on May 24, 2006.

Emily Kuznick - 04/10/2008


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