Case: EEOC v. SCI WASHINGTON FUNERAL SERVICES, INC. dba MILLER-W

3:98-cv-05421 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Filed Date: July 24, 1998

Closed Date: Jan. 25, 2003

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In July 1998, the Seattle District Office of th EEOC filed this lawsuit against SCI Washington Funeral Services Inc., doing business as Miller-Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington alleging retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. We do not have a copy of the complaint; therefore, the exact allegations are unknown. However, it appears from the Proposed Consent Decree that the EEOC alleged the de…

In July 1998, the Seattle District Office of th EEOC filed this lawsuit against SCI Washington Funeral Services Inc., doing business as Miller-Woodlawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington alleging retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. We do not have a copy of the complaint; therefore, the exact allegations are unknown. However, it appears from the Proposed Consent Decree that the EEOC alleged the defendant was retaliated against for refusing to sign an employment agreement containing a mandatory arbitration clause. The complainant intervened in the lawsuit in September 1999. Following some discovery, the parties settled the lawsuit in January 2000 through a consent decree.

The three year decree, containing anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation clauses, required the defendant to: report on incidents of voluntary arbitration by employees and compliance reporting to the EEOC, develop an anti-discrimination policy, post notice of employee rights and provide EEO training.

Summary Authors

David Friedman (12/13/2007)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/31997691/parties/eeoc-v-sci-wa-funeral-svc/


Judge(s)

Burgess, Franklin D. (Washington)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Cordon, Claire (Washington)

Jr, A Luis (Washington)

Attorney for Defendant

Higgins, Alexander Joseph (Washington)

LoGerfo, Ann M (Washington)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

3:98-cv-05421

Docket (PACER)

EEOC v. SCI Washington Funeral Services

Aug. 1, 2000

Aug. 1, 2000

Docket
37

3:98-cv-05421

Proposed Consent Decree

EEOC v. SCI Washington Funeral Services

Jan. 25, 2000

Jan. 25, 2000

Settlement Agreement

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/31997691/eeoc-v-sci-wa-funeral-svc/

Last updated Sept. 28, 2026, 10:23 p.m.

Docket for: EEOC v. SCI WA Funeral Svc
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 July 24, 1998

COMPLAINT - JURY TRIAL DEMANDED (Summons(es) issued) Receipt # waived (KM) (Entered: 07/28/1998)

RECAP
2 July 28, 1998

ORDER/NOTICE OF JOINT STATUS REPORT Joint Status Report due 10/12/98 (cc: counsel, Judge) (JAB) (Entered: 07/28/1998)

RECAP
3 July 28, 1998

ORDER by Judge Franklin D. Burgess re: discovery & depositions (cc: counsel, Judge) (JAB) (Entered: 07/28/1998)

RECAP
4 Aug. 14, 1998

AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE upon defendant of summons/complaint on 7/27/98 (EC) (Entered: 08/14/1998)

RECAP
5 Aug. 26, 1998

ANSWER to complaint [1-1] by defendant (KM) (Entered: 08/28/1998)

RECAP
6 Oct. 9, 1998

JOINT STATUS REPORT filed by all parties. Est. Trial Days: 5 (CAR) (Entered: 10/13/1998)

RECAP
7 Nov. 18, 1998

TRIAL NOTICE Discovery cutoff 3/14/99 Motion filing deadline 4/3/99 Pretrial order to be submitted by 6/3/99 Pretrial conference set for 3:30 6/11/99 jury trial set for 9:00 7/12/99 Trial briefs to be submitted by 6/3/99 Voir dire/Jury Inst. to be submitted by 6/3/99 39.1 designation effective 3/24/99 (cc:all counsel) (KM) (Entered: 11/18/1998)

RECAP
8 Nov. 30, 1998

JURY INSTRUCTIONS Court's standard cc: counsel (KM) (Entered: 12/02/1998)

RECAP
9 March 4, 1999

JOINT MOTION to extend discovery and pretrial ddls and trial date (CAR) (Entered: 03/04/1999)

RECAP
March 4, 1999

LODGED ORDER re: motion to extend discovery and pretrial ddls and trial date [9-1] (CAR) (Entered: 03/04/1999)

PACER
March 4, 1999

LODGED ORDER re: motion to extend discovery and pretrial ddls and trial date [9-1] (CAR)

10 March 18, 1999

ORDER by Judge Franklin D. Burgess that the Joint Motion to Extend Discovery and Pretrial Ddls and Trial Date [9-1] is GRANTED. The clerk of court shall select a new trial date and issue a new pretrial schedule extending all current dates and ddls at least 4 mos counsel, Judge) (CAR) (Entered: 03/18/1999)

RECAP
11 March 31, 1999

TRIAL NOTICE Discovery cutoff 8/23/99 Motion filing deadline 9/21/99 Pretrial order to be submitted by 11/10/99 Pretrial conference set for 10:00 11/19/99 jury trial set for 12/20/99 Trial briefs to be submitted by 11/10/99 Voir dire/Jury Inst. to be submitted by 11/10/99 39.1 designation effective 9/10/99 (cc:all counsel) (KM) (Entered: 03/31/1999)

RECAP
12 May 3, 1999

MOTION by defendant to strike claim for injunctive relief NOTED FOR 5/28/99 (CAR) (Entered: 05/03/1999)

RECAP
13 May 3, 1999

MEMORANDUM by defendant in support of motion to strike claim for injunctive relief [12-1] (CAR) (Entered: 05/03/1999)

RECAP
14 May 3, 1999

DECLARATION of Frederick T Rasmussen in support of motion to strike claim for injunctive relief [12-1] (CAR) (Entered: 05/03/1999)

RECAP
15 May 3, 1999

DECLARATION of Jim Letson in support of motion to strike claim for injunctive relief [12-1] (CAR) (Entered: 05/03/1999)

RECAP
May 3, 1999

LODGED ORDER re: motion to strike claim for injunctive relief [12-1] (CAR) (Entered: 05/03/1999)

PACER
May 3, 1999

LODGED ORDER re: motion to strike claim for injunctive relief [12-1] (CAR)

16 May 24, 1999

OPPOSITION/RESPONSE by plaintiff to motion to strike claim for injunctive relief [12-1]; ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED (CAR) (Entered: 05/24/1999)

RECAP
17 May 24, 1999

DECLARATION of Lisa Morelli in support of Opposition to D' mtn to strike claim for injunctive relief [16-1] (CAR) (Entered: 05/24/1999)

RECAP
18 May 27, 1999

REPLY by defendant TO RESPONSE to motion to strike claim for injunctive relief [12-1] (CAR) (Entered: 05/28/1999)

RECAP
19 July 15, 1999

ORDER by Judge Franklin D. Burgess DENYING motion to strike claim for injunctive relief [12-1] (cc: counsel, Judge) (CAR) (Entered: 07/15/1999)

RECAP
20 Aug. 20, 1999

JOINT MOTION for extension of disc & pretrial ddls & trial date (CAR) (Entered: 08/24/1999)

RECAP
Aug. 26, 1999

LODGED ORDER: re: motion for extension of disc & pretrial ddls & trial date [20-1] (EC) (Entered: 08/26/1999)

PACER
Aug. 26, 1999

LODGED ORDER: re: motion for extension of disc & pretrial ddls & trial date [20-1] (EC)

21 Sept. 8, 1999

MOTION to intervene by Debra Braz NOTED FOR 9/24/99 (KM) (Entered: 09/08/1999)

RECAP
22 Sept. 8, 1999

DECLARATION of Clayton Longacre re motion to intervene by Debra Braz [21-1] (KM) (Entered: 09/08/1999)

RECAP
23 Sept. 8, 1999

AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE by intervenor of motion to intervene by Debra Braz [21-1], of order lodged [0-0], of declaration [22-1] (KM) (Entered: 09/08/1999)

RECAP
Sept. 8, 1999

LODGED ORDER: re: motion to intervene by Debra Braz [21-1] (KM) (Entered: 09/08/1999)

PACER
Sept. 8, 1999

LODGED ORDER: re: motion to intervene by Debra Braz [21-1] (KM)

24 Sept. 10, 1999

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE: by Judge Franklin D. Burgess deadline set for 10/1/99 for parties to show why their Joint Motion to Extend Discovery and Pretrial Ddls and Trial Date should not be denied (cc: counsel, Judge) (EC) (Entered: 09/13/1999)

RECAP
25 Sept. 29, 1999

ORDER by Judge Franklin D. Burgess GRANTING motion to intervene by Debra Braz [21-1] interpleader Debra Braz (cc: counsel, Judge) (EC) (Entered: 09/30/1999)

RECAP
26 Oct. 1, 1999

RESPONSE re: joint motion for extension of disc & pretrial ddls trial date [20-1] (EC) (Entered: 10/01/1999)

RECAP
27 Oct. 12, 1999

ORDER by Judge Franklin D. Burgess that all dates & ddls in this matter are STRICKEN; that this matter is referred to Judge Arnold for the purpose of conducting a settlement conference that the parties shall contact Judge Arnold's chambers to establish the specific time for commencement of the settlement conference; that cnsl for all paries shall ensure the physical presence of the individual with full settlement authority at the settlement conference; and that the parties shall by 4:00 p.m., 10/28/99, submit to the chambers of Judge Arnold a settlement brief not exceeding five pages. The settlement brief is NOT to be filed with the Clerk of the Court. (cc: counsel, Judge) (CAR) (Entered: 10/13/1999)

RECAP
28 Oct. 19, 1999

MINUTE ORDER by Magistrate Judge J. K. Arnold that a settlement conf will be held w/the Hon. J. Kelley Arnold, U.S. Mag Judge, at 9:00 a.m. on 11/2/9. Settlement memos/briefs will be due by 4:00 p.m. on 10/28/99. **SEE ORDER FOR REMAINING DETAILS** (cc: counsel, Judge) (CAR) (Entered: 10/20/1999)

RECAP
29 Oct. 28, 1999

COMPLAINT in Intervention by intervenor Debra Braz (CAR) (Entered: 10/28/1999)

RECAP
30 Nov. 2, 1999

MINUTE ORDER RE Settlement Conference by Magistrate Judge J. K. Arnold - this matter was referred by Order 12,1999, from the chambers of the Honorable Franklin D. Burgess, for purposes of a settlement conference. P', her independent cnsl, cnsl for EEOC, and def cnsl along w/D' in house cnsl, appeared as directed 11/2/99. The matter was not resolved. The file is returned to the trial court. (cc: counsel, Judge) (CAR) (Entered: 11/03/1999)

RECAP
31 Nov. 4, 1999

MINUTE ORDER: by Judge Franklin D. Burgess ; joint status report ddl due by 12/3/99 (cc: counsel, Judge) (KM) (Entered: 11/04/1999)

RECAP
32 Dec. 10, 1999

JOINT STATUS REPORT filed by all parties. Est. Trial Days: 5-10 (CAR) (Entered: 12/10/1999)

RECAP
33 Dec. 14, 1999

TRIAL NOTICE Discovery cutoff 7/24/00 Motion filing deadline 8/11/00 Pretrial order to be submitted by 10/12/00 Pretrial conference set for 2:30 10/20/00 jury trial set for 9:00 11/20/00 Trial briefs to be submitted by 10/12/00 Voir dire/Jury Inst. to be submitted by 10/12/00 39.1 designation effective 8/2/00 (cc:all counsel) (KM) (Entered: 12/14/1999)

RECAP
34 Dec. 17, 1999

JURY INSTRUCTIONS Court's standard cc: counsel (KM) (Entered: 12/17/1999)

RECAP
Dec. 23, 1999

PROPOSED Consent Decree (CAR) (Entered: 12/23/1999)

PACER
Dec. 23, 1999

PROPOSED Consent Decree (CAR)

35 Jan. 7, 2000

ORDER by Judge Franklin D. Burgess that P' shall submit an objecting brief by 1/21/00; that EEOC and SCI Washington shall file a response brief by 1/28/00; and that the P' shall file (if desired) a reply brief by 2/3/00. This matter shall be noted for consideration on 2/4/00. (cc: counsel, Judge) (CAR) (Entered: 01/10/2000)

RECAP
36 Jan. 21, 2000

STIPULATION re: Plaintiff-in-Intervention's right to proceed in private suit (CAR) (Entered: 01/21/2000)

RECAP
37 Jan. 25, 2000

CONSENT DECREE by Judge Franklin D. Burgess that the foregoing is approved. This lawsuit is hereby dismissed with prejudice and without costs or attorneys' fees to any party. The Court will have jurisdiction over any action to enforce the Consent Decree approved herein. (cc: counsel, Judge, Jgm. Book) Entered on: 1/26/00 (CAR) (Entered: 01/26/2000)

RECAP
38 May 3, 2000

ANSWER to intervention complaint [29-1] by defendant (EC) (Entered: 05/05/2000)

RECAP
39 June 15, 2000

REBUTTAL EXPERT WITNESS DISCLOSED by interpleader Debra Braz (CAR) (Entered: 06/15/2000)

RECAP
July 26, 2000

PROPOSED Stip/Order of Dismissal (CAR)

40 July 31, 2000

ORDER OF DISMISSAL by Judge Franklin D. Burgess : Counsel having notified the Court of settlement of this case, and it appearing that no issue remains for the Court's determination, IT IS ORDERED that this action and all claims asserted herein are DISMISSED with prejudice and without costs to any party. In the event that settlement is not perfected, any party may move to reopen the case within 30 days of the date of this order (cc: counsel, Judge) (CAR) (Entered: 07/31/2000)

RECAP
41 Aug. 1, 2000

STIPULATION and ORDER by Judge Franklin D. Burgess that all claims asserted in the above captioned action shall be dismissed with prejudice, and without costs or fees to either party. (cc: counsel, Judge) (CAR) (Entered: 08/01/2000)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Washington

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 24, 1998

Closing Date: Jan. 25, 2003

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

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

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Private 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

SCI Washington Funeral Services Inc.

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Other Dockets:

Western District of Washington 3:98-cv-05421

Available Documents:

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Monetary Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Discrimination Prohibition

Other requirements regarding hiring, promotion, retention

Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law

Provide antidiscrimination training

Reporting

Retaliation Prohibition

Order Duration: 2000 - 2003

Issues

General/Misc.:

Retaliation

Discrimination Area:

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Disparate Treatment

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

Private Party intervened in EEOC suit

Recommended Citation