Case: EEOC v. UNITED AIRLINES

1:02-cv-04594 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: June 27, 2002

Closed Date: 2004

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On June 27, 2002, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against United Airlines on behalf of a black female employee. The EEOC alleged that United Airlines had violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.) by subjecting the employee to sexual and racial harassment and retaliating against her for complaining about the discrimination. The EEOC sought its costs, monetary and in…

On June 27, 2002, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against United Airlines on behalf of a black female employee. The EEOC alleged that United Airlines had violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.) by subjecting the employee to sexual and racial harassment and retaliating against her for complaining about the discrimination. The EEOC sought its costs, monetary and injunctive relief for the employee, including policy reform, back pay, compensation for emotional harm, and punitive damages.

The Court (Judge Suzanne B. Conlon) granted the employee's motion to intervene in the case on July 23, 2002. The employee's complaint proceeded under Title VII and elaborated on the harassment and retaliation to which she had been subjected. The employee sought substantially the same relief as the EEOC but also specifically sought reinstatement.

The parties reached a settlement, which the Court (Judge Harry D. Leinenweber) entered as a consent decree on April 13, 2004. The 2-year decree provided for monetary relief ($225,000 and 200,000 frequent flyer miles) and contained various injunctive provisions. United Airlines agreed to provide employment references according to normal procedure (which did not mention negative details), to post an EEOC notice, to maintain records of complaints of racial and sexual harassment and their resolution, to make reports to the EEOC every six months, and to provide all supervisors and managers with annual Title VII training. The parties bore their own costs. The decree was subject to extra conditions related to United Airlines' bankruptcy case, but it appears that the bankruptcy did not affect the decree. No further court activity appears on the docket and the case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Kenneth Gray (7/29/2013)

People


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Brennan, Noelle Christine (Illinois)

Calhoun, June Wallace (Illinois)

Attorney for Defendant

Beeler, Eugene W Jr. (Illinois)

Favaro, Dennis Ray (Illinois)

Gorman, Patrick John (Illinois)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1:02-cv-04594

Docket (PACER)

EEOC v. United AL

April 13, 2004

April 13, 2004

Docket
1

1:02-cv-04594

Complaint

EEOC v. United Airlines

June 27, 2002

June 27, 2002

Complaint
7

1:02-cv-04594

Intervenor's Complaint

EEOC and Powell v. United Airlines

July 17, 2002

July 17, 2002

Complaint
31

1:02-cv-04594

Consent Decree

EEOC and Powell v. United Airlines

April 13, 2004

April 13, 2004

Settlement Agreement

Docket

Last updated March 25, 2025, 8:24 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 June 27, 2002

COMPLAINT; jury demand - Civil cover sheet - Appearance(s) of June Wallace Calhoun, Noelle Christine Brennan, John C. Hendrickson as attorney(s) for plaintiff (No summons(es) issued.) (Documents: 1-1 through 1-3) (hp) Modified on 01/09/2003 (Entered: 06/27/2002)

PACER
July 1, 2002

SCHEDULE set on 7/1/02 by Hon. Suzanne B. Conlon : Status hearing set on 7/19/02 at 9:00 AM. At the status hearing, the parties are to report on the following: 1. Possibility of settlement in the case; 2. If no possibility of settlement exists, the nature and length of discovery necessary to get the case ready for trial. Plaintiff is directed to advise all other parties of the court's action herein and to forward a copy of the court's procedure guidelines to defendant(s). Mailed notice (cgb) (Entered: 07/01/2002)

PACER
2 July 16, 2002

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant by Joel H. Kaplan, Beth Tracey Golub, Stephanie Joan Pulcanio. (vmj) (Entered: 07/17/2002)

PACER
3 July 17, 2002

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for Phyllis Powell by Eugene W. Beeler Jr., Dennis Ray Favaro, Andrew H. Haber, Patrick John Gorman (fce) (Entered: 07/18/2002)

PACER
6 July 17, 2002

MOTION by Phyllis Powell to intervene ; Notice. (vmj) Modified on 07/24/2002 (Entered: 07/24/2002)

PACER
4 July 19, 2002

MINUTE ORDER of 7/19/02 by Hon. Suzanne B. Conlon : Status hearing held. Parties to comply with FRCP 26(a)(1) by 7/29/02. Parties to comply with FRCP 26(a)(2) by 10/21/02. Discovery cut-off and filing of dispositive motions with supporting memoranda set on 11/19/02 at 9:00 a.m. Joint pretrial order with agreed pattern jury instructions submission set on 12/10/02 at 9:00 a.m. Plaintiff's draft to be submitted to defendant by 12/3/02. Case is placed on the January 2003 trial calendar. Firm dates. Mailed notice by judge's staff (eav) (Entered: 07/22/2002)

PACER
5 July 22, 2002

WAIVER of service of summons as to defendant United AL sent on 6/27/02. (vmj) (Entered: 07/23/2002)

PACER
8 July 23, 2002

MINUTE ORDER of 7/23/02 by Hon. Suzanne B. Conlon: Phyllis Powell's motion for leave to intervene is granted [6-1]. Defendant shall answer or otherwise plead to the intervenor's complaint by 8/12/02. Notices mailed by judge's staff (vmj) (Entered: 07/24/2002)

PACER
9 July 30, 2002

ANSWER and affirmative defenses to plaintiff's complaint by defendant [1-1]; Notice. (vmj) (Entered: 07/31/2002)

PACER
10 Oct. 3, 2002

REASSIGNMENT ORDER of 10/3/02 This case is reassigned to the Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber pursuant to IOP 13. (For further detail see order). Mailed notice (vmj) (Entered: 10/08/2002)

PACER
11 Oct. 3, 2002

MOTION by defendant United AL to amend answer to plaintiff EEOC's complaint and to file out of time answer to plaintiff-intervenor's complaint ; Notice (vmj) (Entered: 10/09/2002)

PACER
12 Oct. 8, 2002

MINUTE ORDER of 10/8/02 by Hon. Suzanne B. Conlon: Defendant's motion to amend answer to plaintiff's complaint [11-1] and motion to file out of time answer to plaintiff-intervenor's complaint [11-2] are granted. Mailed notice (vmj) (Entered: 10/09/2002)

PACER
13 Oct. 8, 2002

ANSWER and affirmative defenses by defendant to plaintiff-intervenor's complaint [7-1]. (vmj) (Entered: 10/09/2002)

PACER
14 Oct. 8, 2002

AMENDED ANSWER and affirmative defenses to plaintiff's complaint by defendant. (vmj) (Entered: 10/09/2002)

PACER
15 Oct. 10, 2002

UNOPPOSED MOTION by intervenor to extend time to disclose experts , for dispositive motions and for the close of discovery ; Notice. (vmj) (Entered: 10/16/2002)

PACER
16 Oct. 11, 2002

AMENDED unopposed motion by intervenor to extend time to disclose experts [15-1], for dispositive motions [15-2] and for the close of discovery [15-3]; Amended notice. (vmj) (Entered: 10/16/2002)

PACER
17 Oct. 15, 2002

MINUTE ORDER of 10/15/02 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber: Intervenor's unopposed motion to extend time is granted [15-1]. Discovery cutoff date now is set for 1/7/03. Dispositive motions now due by 2/7/03. Status hearing set for 2/6/03 at 9:00 a.m. No notice (vmj) (Entered: 10/16/2002)

PACER
19 Nov. 13, 2002

MINUTE ORDER of 11/13/02 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber: Plaintiff's motion for leave to file appearance of Pamela S. Moore-Gibbs is granted [18-1]. Mailed notice (vmj) (Entered: 11/15/2002)

PACER
20 Nov. 13, 2002

ADDITIONAL ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for plaintiff by Pamela Sue Moore-Gibbs. (vmj) (Entered: 11/15/2002)

PACER
21 Dec. 5, 2002

MOTION by intervenor Phyllis Powell to extend the time to disclose experts, for dispositive motions , and for the close of discovery ; Notice. (vmj) (Entered: 12/13/2002)

PACER
22 Dec. 12, 2002

MINUTE ORDER of 12/12/02 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber: Status hearing set for 3/12/02 at 9:00 a.m. Intervenor's motion to extend the time to disclose experts, for dispositive motions and for the close of discovery [21-1, 21-2] is entered and continued to 3/12/03. No notice (vmj) (Entered: 12/13/2002)

PACER
23 March 12, 2003

MINUTE ORDER of 3/12/03 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber : Status hearing set for 9:00 a.m. on 04/29/03. Intervener's motion to extend the time to disclose experts, for dispositive motions is granted [21-1]. Discovery ordered closed on 04/29/03. No notice (jmp) (Entered: 03/13/2003)

PACER
24 April 10, 2003

UNCONTESTED MOTION by defendant to extend discovery for the limited purpose of taking three depositions ; Notice. (vmj) (Entered: 04/17/2003)

PACER
25 April 15, 2003

MINUTE ORDER of 4/15/03 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber: The uncontested motion to extend discovery for the limited purpose of three depositions is granted [24-1]. Mailed notice (vmj) (Entered: 04/17/2003)

PACER
26 April 29, 2003

MINUTE ORDER of 4/29/03 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber: Status hearing held. Defendant to file motion for summary judgment with supporting brief by 6/16/03. Plaintiff's response to be filed by 7/30/03. Defendant's reply brief due by 8/13/03. The court will rule orally on 9/16/03 at 9:00 a.m. No notice (vmj) (Entered: 04/30/2003)

PACER
27 May 27, 2003

AGREED MOTION by defendant to stay litigation ; Notice. (vmj) (Entered: 06/06/2003)

PACER
28 June 4, 2003

MINUTE ORDER of 6/4/03 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber: Status hearing set for 9/4/03 at 9:00 a.m. The agreed motion to stay litigation is granted [27-1]. Briefing schedule and ruling date is stricken. No notice (vmj) (Entered: 06/06/2003)

PACER
Sept. 4, 2003

SCHEDULE set on 9/4/03 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber : Status hearing held and continued October 2, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. Mailed notice (wp) (Entered: 09/04/2003)

PACER
Oct. 2, 2003

SCHEDULE set on 10/2/03 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber : Status hearing held and continued to October 23, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. No notice (wp) (Entered: 10/02/2003)

PACER
Oct. 23, 2003

SCHEDULE set on 10/23/03 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber : Status hearing held and continued to November 19, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. Mailed notice (wp) (Entered: 10/24/2003)

PACER
Nov. 19, 2003

SCHEDULE set on 11/19/03 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber : Status hearing held and continued to December 18, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. No notice (wp) (Entered: 11/24/2003)

PACER
29 Dec. 3, 2003

WITHDRAWAL of appearance of Noelle C. Brennan by plaintiff EEOC; Notice. (vmj) (Entered: 12/04/2003)

PACER
Dec. 18, 2003

SCHEDULE set on 12/18/03 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber : Status hearing held and continued to January 20, 2004 at 9:00 am. Mailed notice (wp) (Entered: 12/18/2003)

PACER
Jan. 20, 2004

SCHEDULE set on 1/20/04 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber : Status hearing held and continued to March 9, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. No notice (wp) (Entered: 01/20/2004)

PACER
March 9, 2004

SCHEDULE set on 3/9/04 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber : Status hearing held and continued to March 23, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. No notice (wp) (Entered: 03/09/2004)

PACER
March 23, 2004

SCHEDULE set on 3/23/04 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber : Status hearing held and continued to April 1, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. No notice (wp) (Entered: 03/24/2004)

PACER
30 April 1, 2004

JOINT MOTION for entry of consent decree ; Notice. (vmj) (Entered: 04/13/2004)

PACER
April 1, 2004

SCHEDULE set on 4/1/04 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber : Status hearing stricken. No notice (wp) (Entered: 04/01/2004)

PACER
31 April 13, 2004

MINUTE ORDER of 4/13/04 by Hon. Harry D. Leinenweber: The joint motion for entry of consent decree is granted [30-1]. (Entered Consent Decree) terminating case Mailed notice (vmj) (Entered: 04/13/2004)

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

Illinois

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

IWPR/Wage Project Consent Decree Study

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 27, 2002

Closing Date: 2004

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on behalf of a black female employee

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

Private Entity/Person

United Airlines

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Other Dockets:

Northern District of Illinois 1:02-cv-04594

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Monetary Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Damages

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Neutral/Positive Reference

Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law

Provide antidiscrimination training

Recordkeeping

Reporting

Amount Defendant Pays: $225,000

Order Duration: 2004 - 2006

Issues

General/Misc.:

Retaliation

Discrimination Area:

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

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Disparate Treatment

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Discrimination Basis:

Race discrimination

Sex discrimination

Affected Race(s):

Black

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Female

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

Recommended Citation