Case: EEOC v. Northwest Airlines

0:01-cv-00705 | U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Filed Date: April 25, 2001

Closed Date: Jan. 13, 2007

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

The Milwaukee and Minneapolis offices of the EEOC brought this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota in April 2001. According to the consent decree, the defendant purportedly violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by applying an Absolute Zero or Zero Tolerance policy and not hiring individuals with insulin dependent diabetes or epilepsy requiring anti-seizure medication into certain positions.The defendant moved to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which…

The Milwaukee and Minneapolis offices of the EEOC brought this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota in April 2001. According to the consent decree, the defendant purportedly violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by applying an Absolute Zero or Zero Tolerance policy and not hiring individuals with insulin dependent diabetes or epilepsy requiring anti-seizure medication into certain positions.

The defendant moved to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted, or alternatively, for summary judgment; both motions were denied. See Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Northwest Airlines, Inc., 216 F. Supp. 2d 935 (D. Minn. 2002). The parties voluntarily dismissed the case in January 2005 after consenting to an agreed order that required the defendant to end its zero tolerance policy and give individualized attention to medically restricted applicants. It also required the defendant to pay a total of $510,000 in compensatory damages.

The decree was entered in 2005 and scheduled to last 2007. No further docket entries exist, so the case is closed.

Summary Authors

Kevin Wilemon (6/3/2008)

Clearinghouse (12/22/2018)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4296872/parties/eeoc-v-northwest-airlines/


Judge(s)

Davis, Michael James (Minnesota)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Burnside, Tina (North Carolina)

Attorney for Defendant

Bland, Timothy S (Tennessee)

Erickson, Kurt J (Minnesota)

Erskine, Amy E (Minnesota)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

0:01-cv-00705

Docket [PACER]

Jan. 13, 2005

Jan. 13, 2005

Docket

EEOC Press Release: "EEOC Files Class Suit Against Northwest Airlines for Disability Discrimination"

EEOC v. Northwest Airlines, Inc.

No Court

April 25, 2001

April 25, 2001

Press Release
44

0:01-cv-00705

Memorandum and Order

EEOC v. Northwest Airlines, Inc.

Aug. 14, 2002

Aug. 14, 2002

Order/Opinion

216 F.Supp.2d 216

56

0:01-cv-00705

Order [Regarding Discovery Motions]

EEOC v. Northwest Airlines, Inc.

Dec. 13, 2002

Dec. 13, 2002

Order/Opinion

EEOC Press Release: "EEOC and Northwest Airlines, Inc., Announce Settlement of Disability Discrimination Suit"

EEOC v. Northwest Airlines, Inc.

No Court

Dec. 30, 2004

Dec. 30, 2004

Press Release

EEOC Litigation Settlement Report (January 2005)

EEOC v. Northwest Airlines, Inc.

No Court

Jan. 12, 2005

Jan. 12, 2005

Press Release
68

0:01-cv-00705

Agreed Order

EEOC v. Northwest Airlines, Inc.

Jan. 13, 2005

Jan. 13, 2005

Settlement Agreement

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4296872/eeoc-v-northwest-airlines/

Last updated March 30, 2024, 3:01 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT - Summons issued. Assigned to Judge Michael J. Davis per 440 civil rights list and referred to Magistrate Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff 8pg(s) (

April 25, 2001

April 25, 2001

PACER
2

SUMMONS RETURN OF SERVICE executed upon defendant Northwest Airlines on 5/4/01 2pg(s) (

May 4, 2001

May 4, 2001

PACER
3

STIPULATION AND ORDER ( Magistrate Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) IT IS SO ORDERED pursuant to the Stipulation of the parties, deft Northwest Airlines, Inc.'s time period for responding to the Summons and Complaint is extended up to and including June 5, 2001. Nothing in this Order shall be construed so as to waive any all defenses, privileges, or rights that Deft may have in responding to the Summons and Complaint. 2pg(s)(cc: all counsel) (

May 21, 2001

May 21, 2001

RECAP
4

AMENDED COMPLAINT [1-1] by pltf; jury demand. (8pg(s) (DDB)

June 1, 2001

June 1, 2001

PACER
5

STIPULATION AND ORDER ( Magistrate Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) that dft NWA's time for responding to amd cmplt is extended up to and including 6/21/01. 2pg(s)(cc: all counsel) (PAK)

June 14, 2001

June 14, 2001

RECAP
6

ANSWER by defendant to the amended complaint 5pg(s) (

June 21, 2001

June 21, 2001

PACER
12

AMENDED MOTION by defendant to change venue (to Judge Michael J. Davis) 4pg(s) (

June 21, 2001

June 21, 2001

PACER
7

LETTER RE: SVC OF DISPOSITIVE MOTION PAPERS by defendant to change venue SVC LTR (to Judge Michael J. Davis) 2pg(s) (

June 21, 2001

June 21, 2001

PACER
8

PETITION AND ORDER for admission pro hac vice ( Clerk Richard D. Sletten ) on behalf of defendant by Timothy S. Bland. 1pg(s) (

July 24, 2001

July 24, 2001

RECAP
9

PETITION AND ORDER for admission pro hac vice ( Clerk Richard D. Sletten ) on behalf of defendant by Herbert E. Gerson 1pg(s) (

July 24, 2001

July 24, 2001

RECAP
10

STIPULATION AND ORDER (Magistrate Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff) FOR SERVICE AND FILING OF DFT NORTHWEST AIRLINES INC.'S FIRST AMENDED ANSWER TO PLTF EEOC'S FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT. 3pg(s)(cc: all counsel) (

July 25, 2001

July 25, 2001

RECAP
11

"COPY" FIRST AMENDED ANSWER by defendant to amended complaint. 5pg(s) (

July 25, 2001

July 25, 2001

PACER
13

MEMORANDUM by defendant in support of motion to change venue [12-1] 18pg(s) (

July 27, 2001

July 27, 2001

PACER
14

AFFIDAVIT of Timothy S. Bland re motion to change venue [12-1] 3+pg(s) SEPARATE (

July 27, 2001

July 27, 2001

PACER
15

AFFIDAVIT of Charles W. Kimbell, Jr. re motion to change venue [12-1] 2pg(s) (

July 27, 2001

July 27, 2001

PACER
16

AMENDED MEMORANDUM by defendant in support of motion to change venue [12-1] 18pg(s) (

July 27, 2001

July 27, 2001

PACER
17

MEMORANDUM by plaintiff in opposition to motion to transfer venue [12-1] 61pg(s) (

July 27, 2001

July 27, 2001

PACER
18

DECLARATION of Laurie A. Vasichek re motion to change venue [12-1] 12+pg(s) SEPARATE (

July 27, 2001

July 27, 2001

PACER
19

"Copy" SECOND AFFIDAVIT of Timothy S. Bland re motion to change venue [12-1] 5pg(s) (

July 27, 2001

July 27, 2001

PACER
20

DEFT'S REPLY TO EEOC'S MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO DEFT'S MOTION TO TRANSFER VENUE [12-1] 12pg(s) (

July 27, 2001

July 27, 2001

PACER
21

LETTER to Judge Michael J. Davis from pltf's counsel re: motion to change venue 2pg(s) (

July 27, 2001

July 27, 2001

PACER
22

COPY OF THE SECOND AFFIDAVIT of Charles W. Kimbell, Jr. in support of deft's motion to change venue [12-1]. (3pg(s) (DDB)

July 31, 2001

July 31, 2001

PACER
23

NOTICE by defendant setting hearing for motion to change venue (to Judge Michael J. Davis) [12-1] at 9:00 a.m. on 10/12/01 3pg(s) (

Aug. 30, 2001

Aug. 30, 2001

PACER
24

AFFIDAVIT of Timothy S. Bland re in support of dft's motion to change venue [12-1] 6pg(s) (

Aug. 30, 2001

Aug. 30, 2001

PACER
25

MINUTES:(Judge Michael J. Davis / C/R Brenda Anderson) Taking under advisement on the motion to change venue [12-1] 1pg(s) (

Oct. 12, 2001

Oct. 12, 2001

PACER
26

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER ( Judge Michael J. Davis ) that dft Northwest Airlines, Inc.'s motion to transfer venue is denied [12-1] 4pg(s) (cc: all counsel) (SJH)

Oct. 30, 2001

Oct. 30, 2001

RECAP
27

ATTORNEY SUBSTITUTION: terminating attorney Timothy S Bland and Herbert E Gerson for Northwest Airlines and substituting attorney Timothy Robert Thornton, Gregory James Stenmoe, and Amy E Erskine 1pg(s) ( Modified on 01/03/2002

Dec. 17, 2001

Dec. 17, 2001

PACER
28

NOTICE OF (1/23/02) pretrial conference set for 8:45 a.m. on 2/27/02 2pg(s) (mailed by chambers) (

Jan. 23, 2002

Jan. 23, 2002

PACER
29

JOINT REPORT OF RULE 26(f) MEETING 6pg(s) (

Feb. 25, 2002

Feb. 25, 2002

PACER
30

MINUTES:( Magistrate Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff / ) re: PRETRIAL CONFERENCE 1pg(s) (PAK)

Feb. 27, 2002

Feb. 27, 2002

PACER
31

TRANSCRIPT OF motion held 10/12/01 by Judge Michael J. Davis (CR Brenda E. Anderson) (SEPARATE) (

Feb. 28, 2002

Feb. 28, 2002

PACER
32

SCHEDULING ORDER ( Magistrate Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff 3/11/02) 2pg(s) (cc: all counsel) (

March 11, 2002

March 11, 2002

RECAP
33

LETTER RE: SVC OF DISPOSITIVE MOTION PAPERS by defendant to dismiss (to Judge Michael J. Davis ), and/or for summary judgment SVC LTR 1pg(s) (

March 18, 2002

March 18, 2002

PACER
34

MOTION by dft to dismiss and/or for summary judgment ( to Judge Michael J. Davis ) 1pg(s) (PAK) Modified on 05/20/2002

March 18, 2002

March 18, 2002

PACER
35

MEMORANDUM by dft in support of motion to dismiss [34-1] and/or for summary judgment [34-2] 28pg(s) (PAK)

May 14, 2002

May 14, 2002

PACER
36

REPLY MEMORANDUM by dft to motion to dismiss [34-1], and/or for summary judgment [34-2] 9pg(s) (PAK)

May 14, 2002

May 14, 2002

PACER
37

AFFIDAVIT of Gregory J. Stenmoe regarding motion to dismiss [34-1]and/or for summary judgment [34-2] 2+pg(s) (PAK)

May 14, 2002

May 14, 2002

PACER
38

MEMORANDUM by pltf in opposition to motion to dismiss [34-1], and/or for summary judgment [34-2] 34pg(s) (PAK)

May 14, 2002

May 14, 2002

PACER
39

DECLARATION of Laurie A. Vasichek re motion to dismiss [34-1], and/or for summary judgment [34-2] 4pg(s) (PAK)

May 14, 2002

May 14, 2002

PACER
40

DECLARATION of Laurie A. Vasichek re motion to dismiss [34-1], and/or for summary judgment [34-2] 5+pg(s) (SEPARATE) (PAK)

May 14, 2002

May 14, 2002

PACER
41

AFFIDAVIT of Gregory J. Stenmoe regarding motion to dismiss [34-1], and/or for summary judgment [34-2] 4+pg(s) (PAK)

May 14, 2002

May 14, 2002

PACER
42

NOTICE by defendant setting hearing for motion to dismiss [34-1] and for summary judgment(to Judge Michael J. Davis ) [34-2] 9:00 a.m. on 7/12/02 2pg(s) (

May 16, 2002

May 16, 2002

PACER
43

MINUTES:( Judge Michael J. Davis /CR Jeanne Anderson) Deft's motion to dismiss [34-1], and/or for summary judgment [34-2] was moved, argued and taken under advisement. 1pg(s) (

July 12, 2002

July 12, 2002

PACER
44

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER: (Judge Michael J. Davis) that deft's motion to dismiss, or alternatively for sumjgm is denied [34]. 9pg(s) (cc: all counsel) (JMR)

Aug. 14, 2002

Aug. 14, 2002

RECAP
45

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC to compel discovery ( to Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) ret 12/10/02 at 9:30 in Minneapolis, MN 2pg(s) (JMH)

Nov. 25, 2002

Nov. 25, 2002

PACER
46

MEMORANDUM by plaintiff EEOC in support of motion to compel discovery [45-1] 23pg(s) (JMH)

Nov. 25, 2002

Nov. 25, 2002

PACER
47

DECLARATION of Laurie A. Vasichek re motion to compel discovery [45-1] 4pg(s)plus exhibits (JMH)

Nov. 25, 2002

Nov. 25, 2002

PACER
48

Notice and MOTION by defendant for protective order ( to Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) ret. 12/10/02 at 9:30 a.m. 1pg(s) (JMR)

Nov. 26, 2002

Nov. 26, 2002

PACER
49

MEMORANDUM by defendant in support of motion for protective order [48-1] 6pg(s) (JMR)

Nov. 26, 2002

Nov. 26, 2002

PACER
50

Deft's Rule 26 certification regarding motion for protective order and affidavit with exhibits 2pgs + exhibits (JMR)

Nov. 26, 2002

Nov. 26, 2002

PACER
51

MEMORANDUM by plaintiff in opposition to motion for protective order [48-1] 13pg(s) + attachments (JMR)

Dec. 3, 2002

Dec. 3, 2002

PACER
52

DECLARATION of Laurie A. Vasichek 3pg(s) + exhibits (JMR)

Dec. 3, 2002

Dec. 3, 2002

PACER
53

MEMORANDUM by defendant in opposition to motion to compel discovery [45-1] 15pg(s) (JMR)

Dec. 3, 2002

Dec. 3, 2002

PACER
54

AFFIDAVIT of Gregory J. Stenmoe 3pg(s) + exhibits (JMR)

Dec. 3, 2002

Dec. 3, 2002

PACER
55

MINUTES: ( Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) taking under advisement on the motion to compel discovery [45-1] taking under advisement on the motion for protective order [48-1] 1pg(s) (DFL)

Dec. 10, 2002

Dec. 10, 2002

PACER
56

ORDER (Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff) pltf's motion to compel discovery is granted in part and denied as moot in part [45]. Deft's motion for a protective order is denied as moot [48]. (cc: all counsel) 4pgs (JMR)

Dec. 13, 2002

Dec. 13, 2002

RECAP
57

PROTECTIVE ORDER ( Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) 7pg(s) (cc: all counsel) (PAK)

Feb. 14, 2003

Feb. 14, 2003

RECAP
58

Letter from Gregory J. Stenmoe. (Stenmoe, Gregory)

June 28, 2004

June 28, 2004

RECAP
59

STIPULATION and Scheduling Order by Northwest Airlines, Inc.. (Stenmoe, Gregory)

June 28, 2004

June 28, 2004

RECAP
60

NOTICE of Appearance by Tina Burnside on behalf of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Burnside, Tina)

June 29, 2004

June 29, 2004

RECAP
61

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission re [60] Notice of Appearance by Tina Burnside (Burnside, Tina)

June 29, 2004

June 29, 2004

RECAP
62

ORDER approving/adopting [59] Stipulation filed by Northwest Airlines, Inc. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jonathan G Lebedoff on 6/30/04. (JMM)

June 30, 2004

June 30, 2004

RECAP
63

STIPULATION to Amend Answer by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Northwest Airlines, Inc.. (Hedican, Jason)

Aug. 2, 2004

Aug. 2, 2004

RECAP
64

ORDER granting [3] Stipulation to file Second Amended Answer. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jonathan G Lebedoff on 8/5/04. (JMM)

Aug. 5, 2004

Aug. 5, 2004

RECAP
65

Second Amended ANSWER to Amended Complaint by Northwest Airlines, Inc..(Hedican, Jason)

Aug. 9, 2004

Aug. 9, 2004

RECAP
66

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Northwest Airlines, Inc. re [65] Answer to Amended Complaint (Hedican, Jason)

Aug. 9, 2004

Aug. 9, 2004

RECAP
67

*** DOCUEMENT FILED IN ERROR, COUNCEL WILL RE-FILE. ***STIPULATION of Dismissal (Agreed Order) by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Northwest Airlines, Inc., Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Northwest Airlines, Inc.. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit A# (2) Exhibit B# (3) Certificate of Service)(Stenmoe, Gregory) Modified on 1/3/2005 (Riemer, Rena).

1 Exhibit A

View on RECAP

2 Exhibit B

View on RECAP

3 Certificate of Service

View on RECAP

Dec. 30, 2004

Dec. 30, 2004

RECAP
68

AGREED ORDER . Signed by Judge Michael J Davis on 01/12/2005. (SMS)

Jan. 13, 2005

Jan. 13, 2005

RECAP
69

ORDER DISMISSING CASE. Signed by Judge Michael J Davis on 01/12/2005. (SMS)

Jan. 13, 2005

Jan. 13, 2005

RECAP
70

JUDGMENT (JLB)

Jan. 13, 2005

Jan. 13, 2005

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory: Minnesota

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 25, 2001

Closing Date: Jan. 13, 2007

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:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Monetary Relief

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Amount Defendant Pays: 510000

Order Duration: 2005 - 2007

Content of Injunction:

Provide antidiscrimination training

Reporting

Recordkeeping

Issues

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Accommodation / Leave

Hiring

Discrimination-basis:

Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits