Case: EEOC v. Ford Motor Company

1:04-cv-00845 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Filed Date: Dec. 27, 2004

Closed Date: June 15, 2008

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case is about an apprenticeship test that had a disparate impact on Black apprenticeship applicants. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed this lawsuit on December 27, 2004, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Filing on behalf of thirteen Black individuals and a class of similarly situated Black apprenticeship test takers, the EEOC alleged that the individuals' employer, the Ford Motor Company, as well as their union, the United Automobile, Aerospac…

This case is about an apprenticeship test that had a disparate impact on Black apprenticeship applicants. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed this lawsuit on December 27, 2004, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Filing on behalf of thirteen Black individuals and a class of similarly situated Black apprenticeship test takers, the EEOC alleged that the individuals' employer, the Ford Motor Company, as well as their union, the United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural implement workers of America (the "UAW"), and the Ford-UAW Joint Apprenticeship Committee, violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, and Michigan state anti-discrimination law. At issue were the selection tests for apprenticeship training programs, whose disparate impact denied Black applicants eligibility and admission. The EEOC sought injunctive relief, as well as damages (including backpay) for the Black apprenticeship applicants. The case was assigned to Judge Susan J. Dlott.

The individuals also brought a separate class action against Ford and the UAW, Robinson v. Ford Motor Company, (No. 1:04-cv-00844), and the cases were consolidated on January 6, 2005. As a result, the case was transferred to Judge S. Arthur Spiegel. Six months later, in June 2005, both cases were resolved via a class settlement agreement. Ford agreed to pay $8.55 million and to implement a new selection process for its apprenticeship programs. This agreement further required Ford to hire an industrial psychologist to design this new selection process and to place 279 members of the settlement class on the eligibility list for the Ford apprenticeship program.

On June 15, 2005, the court found that the proposed settlement agreement was fair. 2005 WL 5253339. The next day, the court ordered that Ford pay $1.1 million to cover attorneys' fees and expenses incurred during settlement negotiations, and $567,000 to cover fees and expenses associated with the implementation and monitoring of the settlement agreement. 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12071. As the settlement was initially scheduled to last for three years, and there is no further activity on the docket sheet, this case presumably closed in 2008.

Summary Authors

Keri Livingston (8/26/2008)

Rachel Barr (4/8/2018)

Related Cases

EEOC v. H Q Global Workplace, Inc., Northern District of Illinois (2002)

Robinson v. Ford Motor Company, Inc., Southern District of Ohio (2004)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4679266/parties/equal-employment-opportunity-commission-v-ford-motor-company/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Mays, Lawrence (Ohio)

Attorney for Defendant

Cook, David M. (Ohio)

Harper, Connye Y. (Michigan)

Morrison, Virginia (California)

Simon, Stephen A. (Ohio)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:04-cv-00845

Docket [PACER]

Sept. 4, 2007

Sept. 4, 2007

Docket
1

1:04-cv-00845

Complaint

Dec. 27, 2004

Dec. 27, 2004

Complaint
2-2

1:04-cv-00845

1:04-cv-00844

Settlement Agreement

Robinson and EEOC v. Ford Motor Company, et. al.

Dec. 27, 2004

Dec. 27, 2004

Settlement Agreement
5

1:04-cv-00845

1:04-cv-00844

Order [of Consolidation]

Jan. 6, 2005

Jan. 6, 2005

Order/Opinion

EEOC Press Release

No Court

June 1, 2005

June 1, 2005

Press Release
17

1:04-cv-00845

1:04-cv-00844

Opinion & Order

Robinson and EEOC v. Ford Motor Company, et. al.

June 15, 2005

June 15, 2005

Order/Opinion
17

1:04-cv-00845

1:04-cv-00844

Opinion and Order

Robinson and EEOC v. Ford Motor Company, et. al.

June 15, 2005

June 15, 2005

Order/Opinion

EEOC Litigation Settlement Report

EEOC v. Ford Motor Co.

No Court

June 16, 2005

June 16, 2005

Press Release
19

1:04-cv-00845

1:04-cv-00844

Judgment in a Civil Case

Robinson and EEOC v. Ford Motor Company

June 17, 2005

June 17, 2005

Order/Opinion
36

1:04-cv-00845

Status Conference Memo including exhibits

Robinson et al v. Ford Motor Company

Sept. 6, 2007

Sept. 6, 2007

Discovery Material/FOIA Release

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4679266/equal-employment-opportunity-commission-v-ford-motor-company/

Last updated Jan. 24, 2024, 3:02 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Ford Motor Company, Inc., International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, (UAW) (Filing fee $ 150.) , filed by Plaintiffs Jonathan Glover, Karthan E. Norman, Jerome R. Harris, Sheilah Brackett, Terri Gaither, Gregory A. Dicks, Robert Fails, Jr, James Robinson, Robert Payne, Gordon Rinfrow, Joseph Hendricks. 48BG (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet # 2 receipt)(mlc, ) (Entered: 12/28/2004)

Dec. 27, 2004

Dec. 27, 2004

Clearinghouse

Filing fee: $ 150, receipt number 425127 (mlc, ) (Entered: 12/28/2004)

Dec. 27, 2004

Dec. 27, 2004

2

JOINT MOTION for preliminary approval of settlement agreement and Provisional Class Certification by Plaintiffs Jonathan Glover, Karthan E. Norman, Jerome R. Harris, Sheilah Brackett, Terri Gaither, Gregory A. Dicks, Robert Fails, Jr, James Robinson, Robert Payne, Gordon Rinfrow, Joseph Hendricks. Responses due by 1/20/2005 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1# 2 Exhibit 2−6# 3 Text of Proposed Order)(mlc, ) (Entered: 12/28/2004)

Dec. 27, 2004

Dec. 27, 2004

3

NOTICE of Hearing: Status Conference set for 2/9/2005 02:00 PM in chambers before S Arthur Spiegel. (km, ) (Entered: 12/29/2004)

Dec. 29, 2004

Dec. 29, 2004

4

ORDER transferring related action 1:04−cv−00845 from the docket of Judge Susan J. Dlott to the docket of Judge S Arthur Spiegel. 1:04−cv−00845 is further consolidated with lead case 1:04−cv−00844 for all further proceedings. Signed by Judge S Arthur Spiegel and Judge Susan J. Dlott on 1/6/2005. (km, ) (Entered: 01/06/2005)

Jan. 6, 2005

Jan. 6, 2005

6

MOTION for Leave to Appear pro hac vice for attorney Kenneth M. Willner by Defendant Ford Motor Company, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit certificate of good standing# 2 receipt for filing fee)(wam, ) (Entered: 02/01/2005)

Feb. 1, 2005

Feb. 1, 2005

7

NOTATION ORDER granting 6 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for attorney Kenneth M. Willner. Signed by Judge S Arthur Spiegel on 2/2/2005. (km, ) (Entered: 02/03/2005)

Feb. 3, 2005

Feb. 3, 2005

8

ANSWER to Complaint of EEOC by Defendant Ford Motor Company, Inc..(wam, ) Modified on 2/3/2005 (wam, ). (Entered: 02/03/2005)

Feb. 3, 2005

Feb. 3, 2005

9

ANSWER to Complaint by Defendant Ford Motor Company, Inc..(wam, ) (Entered: 02/03/2005)

Feb. 3, 2005

Feb. 3, 2005

10

ANSWER to Complaint by Defendants International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agriculatural Implement Workers of America, (UAW), United Automobile, Aerospace and Agriculatural Implement Workers of America, Local 863.(Cook, David) (Entered: 02/07/2005)

Feb. 7, 2005

Feb. 7, 2005

11

ORDER granting 2 Motion for preliminary approval of settlement agreement and provisional certification of class Signed by Judge S Arthur Spiegel on 2/9/05. (wam, ) (Entered: 02/09/2005)

Feb. 9, 2005

Feb. 9, 2005

Set Hearings: Fairness Hearing set for 6/1/2005 02:00 PM before S Arthur Spiegel Rm 842. (wam, ) (Entered: 02/09/2005)

Feb. 9, 2005

Feb. 9, 2005

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge S Arthur Spiegel : Status Conference held on 2/9/2005. (km, ) (Entered: 02/10/2005)

Feb. 9, 2005

Feb. 9, 2005

13

MOTION for Leave to Appear pro hac vice for attorney Cyrus B. Mehri by Plaintiffs Jonathan Glover, Karthan E. Norman, Jerome R. Harris, Sheilah Brackett, Terri Gaither, Gregory A. Dicks, Robert Fails, Jr, James Robinson, Robert Payne, Gordon Rinfrow, Joseph Hendricks. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit certificate of good standing# 2 Exhibit receipt for filing fee)(wam, ) (Entered: 02/10/2005)

Feb. 9, 2005

Feb. 9, 2005

12

NOTICE of Hearing: Fairness Hearing set for 6/1/2005 2:00 PM Courtroom 842 before Judge S Arthur Spiegel.(km, ) (Entered: 02/10/2005)

Feb. 10, 2005

Feb. 10, 2005

14

NOTATION ORDER granting 13 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for attorney Cyrus B. Mehri. Signed by Judge S Arthur Spiegel on 2/11/2005. (km, ) (Entered: 02/11/2005)

Feb. 11, 2005

Feb. 11, 2005

15

ANSWER to Complaint by Defendants Ford Motor Company, Inc., United Automobile, Aerospace and Agriculatural Implement Workers of America, Local 863.(wam, ) (Entered: 03/04/2005)

March 4, 2005

March 4, 2005

16

Letter to Court from Darnay L. Cheeks re settlement agreement and fairness hearing set for 6/1/2005. (km, ) (Entered: 03/30/2005)

March 30, 2005

March 30, 2005

17

Letters to Court re Intention to Speak and Object to Proposed Settlement at 6/1/2005 Fairness Hearing from Kenneth Jones and Lawrence L. Wartley, Jr. (km, ) (Entered: 04/18/2005)

April 18, 2005

April 18, 2005

Clearinghouse
18

Objection Letter to Court from Ronald Mack re Settlement Agreement and Fairness Hearing scheduled for June 1, 2005 by Defendant International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agriculatural Implement Workers of America, (UAW). (Harper, Connye) (Entered: 04/18/2005)

April 18, 2005

April 18, 2005

20

Letter to Court from Darnay L. Cheeks of 5/15/2005 re acceptance of proposed settlement and withdrawal of former objections. (km, ) (Entered: 05/20/2005)

May 20, 2005

May 20, 2005

22

BRIEF in support re 21 by Plaintiffs Jonathan Glover, Karthan E. Norman, Jerome R. Harris, Sheilah Brackett, Terri Gaither, Gregory A. Dicks, Robert Fails, Jr, James Robinson, Robert Payne, Gordon Rinfrow, Joseph Hendricks. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1: Settlement Agreement# 2 Exhibit 2: Declaration of Robert Belton# 3 Exhibit 3: Declaration of Cyrus Mehri# 4 Exhibit 3A: MSLodestar# 5 Exhibit 3B: MMRLodestar# 6 Exhibit 3C: Combined Fees and Expenses# 7 Exhibit 3D: Declaration of Nathaniel Jones# 8 Exhibit 3E: Declaration of Armand Derfner# 9 Exhibit 3F: Declaration of Suzette Peyton# 10 Exhibit 3G: Declaration of Rhonda Maxwell# 11 Exhibit 4: CV of Kathleen Lundquist, PhD# 12 Exhibit 5: Declaration of Mark Patton, Claims Administrator# 13 Exhibit 6: Opt Outs# 14 Exhibit 7: Class Member Objections# 15 Exhibit 8: Non−Class Member Objections# 16 Exhibit 9: Objection and Withdrawal of Darnay Cheeks)(Mehri, Cyrus) Modified on 5/27/2005 (wam, ). (Entered: 05/26/2005)

May 26, 2005

May 26, 2005

23

MOTION for Attorney Fees by Plaintiffs Jonathan Glover, Karthan E. Norman, Jerome R. Harris, Sheilah Brackett, Terri Gaither, Gregory A. Dicks, Robert Fails, Jr, James Robinson, Robert Payne, Gordon Rinfrow, Joseph Hendricks. (Mehri, Cyrus) (Entered: 05/26/2005)

May 26, 2005

May 26, 2005

24

NOTICE by Plaintiffs Jonathan Glover, Karthan E. Norman, Jerome R. Harris, Sheilah Brackett, Terri Gaither, Gregory A. Dicks, Robert Fails, Jr, James Robinson, Robert Payne, Gordon Rinfrow, Joseph Hendricks re 22 Brief,,,, 23 MOTION for Attorney Fees (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1: Amended page 5 of Plaintiffs' MOtion in Support of Award of Attonreys' Fees# 2 Exhibit 2: Amended page13 Of Declaration of Cyrus Mehri)(Mehri, Cyrus) (Entered: 05/27/2005)

May 27, 2005

May 27, 2005

25

MOTION for Leave to Appear pro hac vice for attorneys Sandi Farrell &Lisa Bornstein by Plaintiffs Jonathan Glover, Karthan E. Norman, Jerome R. Harris, Sheilah Brackett, Terri Gaither, Gregory A. Dicks, Robert Fails, Jr, James Robinson, Robert Payne, Gordon Rinfrow, Joseph Hendricks. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Nathaniel R. Jones# 2 certificates of good standing# 3 receipt for filing fee)(wam, ) (Entered: 06/01/2005)

May 31, 2005

May 31, 2005

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge S Arthur Spiegel: Fairness Hearing held on 6/1/2005 re 21 Joint MOTION for Final Approval of Settlement Agreement and 23 MOTION for Attorney Fees. Statements of Counsel re proposed settlement heard. Objections from class members heard and addressed by counsel and the Court. Plaintiffs' Attorney Fees addressed. Matters taken under advisement. Written Order to follow. (Court Reporter Shandy Ehde (Draper &Oestreicher).) (km, ) (Entered: 06/01/2005)

June 1, 2005

June 1, 2005

26

NOTATION ORDER granting 25 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for attorneys Sandi Farrell &Lisa Bornstein. Signed by Judge S Arthur Spiegel on 6/2/2005. (km, ) (Entered: 06/03/2005)

June 3, 2005

June 3, 2005

27

Letter to Court from Mary Braun re Proposed Class Settlement. (km, ) (Entered: 06/08/2005)

June 8, 2005

June 8, 2005

28

OPINION AND ORDER granting 21 Joint Motion to Approve the Class Action Settlement. Plaintiffs' Motion for Attorneys' Fees 23 will be decided by a separate Order of this Court. Signed by Judge S Arthur Spiegel on 6/15/2005. (km, ) Modified on 6/15/2005 (km, ). (Entered: 06/15/2005)

June 15, 2005

June 15, 2005

29

OPINION AND ORDER granting 23 Motion for Attorney Fees and Reimbursement of Expenses. The Court AWARDS $1.1 million to Class Counsel to cover fees and expenses incurred thus far and an additional $567,000.00 to cover those fees and expenses associated with the implementation and monitoring of the settlement over a three to five year period. This award of fees and expenses shall be distributed in accordance with the Settlement Agreement. Signed by Judge S Arthur Spiegel on 6/16/2005. (km, ) (Entered: 06/17/2005)

June 17, 2005

June 17, 2005

30

CLERK'S JUDGMENT entered affirming Court Orders 28 29 . (km, ) (Entered: 06/17/2005)

June 17, 2005

June 17, 2005

19

CLERK'S JUDGMENT entered affirming Court Orders entered in lead case 1:04-cv-844 28 29 . (km, )

June 17, 2005

June 17, 2005

RECAP
31

TRANSCRIPT of Fairness Hearing Proceedings held on 6/1/05 before Judge S. Arthur Spiegel. Court Reporter: Shandy Ehde. (wam, ) (Entered: 08/12/2005)

Aug. 11, 2005

Aug. 11, 2005

32

NOTICE of Hearing:Status Conference set for 9/4/2007 03:00 PM in chambers before Judge S Arthur Spiegel. (km1, ) Additional attachment(Return Mail Envelope) added on 8/15/2007 (scot1, ). Additional attachment(Return Mail Envelope) added on 8/17/2007 (scot1, ). (Entered: 08/02/2007)

Aug. 2, 2007

Aug. 2, 2007

33

ORDER setting Status Conference re Settlement Agreement for 9/4/2007 03:00 PM. Signed by Judge S Arthur Spiegel on 8/1/2007. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 − Letter of Mr. Kevin Marshall) (km1, ) Additional attachment(Return Mail Envelope) added on 8/15/2007 (scot1, ). Additional attachment(Return Mail Envelope) added on 8/17/2007 (scot1, ). (Entered: 08/02/2007)

Aug. 2, 2007

Aug. 2, 2007

Mail sent to Lisa Bornstein Returned as Undeliverable/Return to Sender−Forward Time Expired re 32 Notice. (scot1, ) (Entered: 08/15/2007)

Aug. 15, 2007

Aug. 15, 2007

Mail sent to Sandi Farrell Returned as Undeliverable/Return to Sender−Forward Time Expired re 33 Order. (scot1, ) (Entered: 08/15/2007)

Aug. 15, 2007

Aug. 15, 2007

Mail sent to Sandi Farrell Returned as Undeliverable/Return to Sender−Forward Time Expired re 32 Notice (scot1, ) (Entered: 08/17/2007)

Aug. 16, 2007

Aug. 16, 2007

Mail sent to Lisa Bornstein Returned as Undeliverable/Return to Sender−Forward Time Expired re 33 Order. (scot1, ) (Entered: 08/17/2007)

Aug. 16, 2007

Aug. 16, 2007

34

NOTICE of Change of Address for Attorney's Cyrus Mehri and Lisa Bornstein (Jones, Nathaniel) Modified on 8/25/2007 − To modify docket text (tt1, ). (Entered: 08/24/2007)

Aug. 24, 2007

Aug. 24, 2007

35

NOTICE of Hearing: Status Conference RESET for 9/11/2007 02:00 PM in chambers before Judge S Arthur Spiegel. (km1, ) (Entered: 09/04/2007)

Sept. 4, 2007

Sept. 4, 2007

36

STATUS REPORT / Ford Motor Company's Memorandum For September 11, 2007 Status Conference by Defendant Ford Motor Company, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A − Settlement Agreement# 2 Exhibit B − Excerpts from collectively bargained letter agreements and appendices) (Willner, Kenneth) (Entered: 09/06/2007)

Sept. 6, 2007

Sept. 6, 2007

Clearinghouse
37

Mail Returned as Undeliverable (Doc. 35). Mail sent to SANDI FARRELL. Marked Forwarding Time Expired. Address has been updated in the system. Clerk did not re−send this Notice of Hearing because the dated scheduled was for 9/11/2007. (tt1, ) (Entered: 09/20/2007)

Sept. 19, 2007

Sept. 19, 2007

38

BRIEF by Defendant Ford Motor Company, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Attachment 1 to post−hearing brief) (Willner, Kenneth) (Entered: 11/08/2007)

Nov. 8, 2007

Nov. 8, 2007

39

NOTICE by Plaintiff James Robinson of Withdrawal of Attorney Lisa Bornstein (Bornstein, Lisa) (Entered: 04/07/2008)

April 7, 2008

April 7, 2008

Case Details

State / Territory: Ohio

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 27, 2004

Closing Date: June 15, 2008

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

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

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

EEOC Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

United Automobile, Aerospace and Agriculatural Implement Workers of America, Private Entity/Person

Ford Motor Company, Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1981

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

State Anti-Discrimination Law

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:

Voluntary Dismissal

Amount Defendant Pays: $10,217,000

Order Duration: 2005 - 2008

Content of Injunction:

Hire

Discrimination Prohibition

Retaliation Prohibition

Other requirements regarding hiring, promotion, retention

Reporting

Recordkeeping

Monitoring

Issues

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Impact

Disparate Treatment

Testing

Discrimination-basis:

Race discrimination

Race:

Black

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits