Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Southern Haulers, LLC

Filing 143

ORDER denying as moot 104 Motion for Partial Summary Judgment; granting 107 Motion for Summary Judgment; denying as moot 122 Motion to exclude experts. Signed by Magistrate Judge Katherine P. Nelson on 4/10/2013. (srr)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION,
Plaintiff,
ALFONZO WILLIAMS,
Intervenor-Plaintiff,
v.
SOUTHERN HAULERS, LLC,
Defendant.

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CIVIL ACTION NO. 11-00564-N

ORDER
This action is before the Court on a motion for partial summary judgment (docs
104-105) filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), plaintiff
herein, and on a motion for summary judgment (docs. 107-109) filed by the defendant,
Southern Haulers, LLC (“Southern Haulers”). This action has been referred to the
undersigned Magistrate Judge (doc. 19) pursuant to the consent of the parties (doc. 18) to
conduct all proceedings and order the entry of judgment in accordance with 28 U.S.C. §
636(c) and Fed.R.Civ.P. 73. Upon consideration of these motions (docs. 104-105, 107109), the briefs filed in opposition thereto (docs. 111-112, 115, 117)1, the parties’ replies
(docs. 124, 131)2, the supplemental briefs (docs. 130, 132, 135, 139-140), and all other

1

Plaintiff-Intervenor Alfonzo Williams adopted and incorporated (doc. 117) the arguments and
evidence presented by the EEOC in opposition to Southern Haulers’ motion for summary judgment.
2

Southern Haulers’ motion (doc. 129) for leave to file a reply brief (doc. 131), which exceeds the
Court’s page limitations, was granted on February 13, 2013 (doc. 133).

pertinent portions of the record, the Court concludes that the EEOC’s motion for partial
summary judgment (doc. 104-105) is due to be DENIED as MOOT and that Southern
Haulers’ motion for summary judgment (docs 107-109) is due to be GRANTED.
In addition to the aforementioned cross-motions for summary judgment, the
EEOC has filed a motion to exclude Southern Haulers’ experts (doc. 122), Southern
Haulers has filed a brief in opposition (doc. 137), and the EEOC has filed a reply (doc.
141). In view of the decision that Southern Haulers is entitled to summary judgment in
this case, which is not predicated on the evidence challenged in this motion to exclude, it
is ORDERED that the motion to exclude is hereby DENIED as MOOT.
I.

BACKGROUND
The EEOC filed this action on September 30, 2011, pursuant to Sections 706(f)(1)

and (3) of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e5(f)(1) (“Title VII”) and Section 102 of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, 42 U.S.C. § 1981a.
(Doc. 1 at ¶ 1). An Amended Complaint was filed on November 16, 2011 (Doc. 4). The
EEOC alleges that, since April 2009, Southern Haulers engaged in discriminatory hiring
practices against Alfonzo Williams and a class of African-Americans, which includes
only Alton Kelly, at Southern Haulers’ Brewton terminal. (Doc. 4 at ¶ 7). The
Complaint specifically alleges that Southern Haulers discriminated against Mr. Williams
and other African-American applicants at its Brewton, Alabama terminal when it failed to
hire them. (Doc. 4, at 1).
Alfonzo Williams was granted leave of Court to intervene (doc. 24) and filed his
Complaint on February 1, 2012 (doc. 25). Williams’ Complaint tracks the EEOC’s
Complaint in all material aspects. Cf. Docs. 4 and 25.
2

II.

FINDINGS FACTS3
1.

Southern Haulers is a limited liability corporation owned by R&J Trucking,

Inc. (“R&J”), a corporation based out of Youngstown, Ohio. (Doc. 109-1 at 9; Doc. 115
at p. 14 ¶ 1). Southern Haulers and R&J share personnel in accounting, payroll, accounts
payable and receivable, safety, and human resources. (Doc. 109-1 at 9, 12; Doc. 115 at p.
14 ¶ 2).
2.

Southern Haulers has three terminals in Alabama: one in Brewton, one in

Calera, and one in Decatur. (Doc. 109-1 at 15; Doc. 115 at p. 14 ¶ 3).4 Each terminal
operates independently of one another to the extent that the terminal manager alone
determined whether he had “enough trucks filled by drivers to handle the freight out of
his terminal.” (Doc. 109-1 at 19).5 Truck drivers are hired specifically for one terminal,

3

The court is mindful of its obligation under Rule 56 to construe the evidence and all reasonable
inferences arising from it in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Adickes v. S.H. Kress &
Co., 398 U.S. 144, 157, 90 S.Ct. 1598, 26 L.Ed.2d 142 (1970); see also Skop v. City of Atlanta, GA, 485
F.3d 1130, 1136 (11th Cir.2007). Any factual dispute will be resolved favor of the plaintiff when
sufficient competent evidence supports plaintiff’s version of the disputed facts. See Pace v. Capobianco,
283 F.3d 1275, 1276, 1278 (11th Cir.2002) (a court is not required to resolve disputes in the nonmoving
party's favor when that party's version of events is supported by insufficient evidence). However, “mere
conclusions and unsupported factual allegations are legally insufficient to defeat a summary judgment
motion.” Ellis v. England, 432 F.3d 1321, 1326 (11th Cir.2005) (per curiam) (citing Bald Mountain Park,
Ltd. v. Oliver, 863 F.2d 1560, 1563 (11th Cir.1989)). Moreover, “[a] mere ‘scintilla’ of evidence
supporting the opposing party's position will not suffice; there must be enough of a showing that the jury
could reasonably find for that party.” Walker v. Darby, 911 F.2d 1573, 1577 (11th Cir.1990) (citing
Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252)).
4

Calera, Alabama is approximately 161 miles (2 hours) from Brewton, Alabama. Decatur,
Alabama is approximately 273 miles (4 hours) from Brewton, Alabama.
5

The EEOC alleges that this fact is disputed but has failed to proffer sufficient evidence to refute
the evidence submitted by Southern Haulers. The EEOC asserts that “Thomas Burch on occasion was
given assignments originating from Calera and Decatur by the Calera Dispatcher, Dan Roy.” (Doc. 115
at 14, citing Doc. 116-9 at 5). The excerpt of Mr. Burch’s deposition cited by the EEOC merely states as
follows:

(Continued)
3

and they work exclusively from that terminal. (Doc. 109-1 at 19).6 For example, if the
applicant was seeking a truck driving job in the Brewton, he would have to complete an
application at the Brewton terminal. (Doc. 109-1 at 47).7
3.

At the time of his deposition in 2012, Rob Reed (“Reed”) had served for

sixteen and one half years as Vice-President of Finance for R&J and remains so
employed. (Doc. 109-1 at 9; Doc. 115 at p. 14 ¶ 6). From April 1, 2003 through April

Q:
I’m sorry. What was your interaction, for example, with the Calera
terminal? Meaning, what types of assignments were you being dispatched with from Calera?
A:

From Calera it was all dump trailer assignments.

(Doc. 116-9 at 5). The EEOC also asserts that “[Southern Haulers’] terminals would forward
employment applications to each other upon receipt from internet.” (Doc. 115 at 14, citing Doc. 116-3 at
9-10). However, the excerpt of John Triezenberg’s deposition cited by the EEOC, with a portion added
by the Court for continuity, states only the following:
Q:

Are you familiar with Southern Hauler’s online job application?

A:

Not really.

Q:

Have you –

A:
I know its their [sic]. But the job application – if somebody fills a job application
out on line that does come to my terminal. I believe it goes to either corporate office or to the
Calera terminal and then they were [sic] would forward it to us which they have forwarded
applications to us.
Q:
During your term of employment with Southern Haulers have you ever
forwarded an application to another terminal for a truck driving position?
A:

I don’t believe so.

(Doc. 116-3 at 9-10).
6

The EEOC alleges that this fact is disputed but relies solely on the evidence set forth in n.1,
supra. Thus, the EEOC has failed to proffer sufficient evidence to contradict the evidence submitted by
Southern Haulers in support of this fact.
7

However, an individual currently employed at one of the facilities would not have to complete
an application in order to transfer to one of Southern Haulers other two terminals. (Doc. 109-1 at 65)

4

13, 2012, Daniel Fire (“Fire”) served as Corporate Safety Director for R&J. (Doc. 109-1
at 14; Doc. 109-2 at ¶ 2; Doc. 115 at p. 14 ¶ 6).
4.

John Triezenberg (“Triezenberg”) has been the Terminal Manager

of Southern Haulers’ Brewton terminal since approximately 2007. (Doc. 109-3 at 6; Doc.
115 at p. 14 ¶ 7).

As Terminal Manager, Triezenberg determined when to fill his trucks

with drivers based on the freight available in his area8, and therefore when to accept
applications for truck driver positions to forward to corporate. Triezenberg did not have
authority to hire a truck driver for Southern Haulers. (Doc. 109-1 at 15-16; Doc. 109-3
at 20).9 Triezenberg characterized his role in the hiring process, in pertinent part as
follows:
The driver comes in -- if we are accepting applications, a driver comes in
and fills out an application. I review it for -- to make sure that it's filled out
completely. And then I forward it up to our safety department and they will
do the background checks if we are hiring.
(Doc. 116-3 at 7). Triezenberg further testified that he did not forward any applications
for hire in 2009. (Doc. 116-3 at 7)(emphasis added).10 Although Triezenberg could not
8

See e.g., Doc. 116-1 (Southern Haulers’ 30(b)(6) transcript)(“Each terminal manager would
make their own determination if they needed their trucks filled [and] [i]n 2009 . . .[had] the sole authority
to post for open positions.” )(emphasis added).
9

The EEOC alleges that this is a material issue in dispute based on Alfonzo Williams’s
contention that Triezenberg, when asked, “was they hiring any drivers,” told him “I’m not hiring and I
never will be.” (Doc. 116-5 at 5). The EEOC charge signed by Alfonzo Williams on May 9, 2009, states
that Triezenberg’s remark was “We are not hiring and I don’t believe we will ever be hiring again.”
(Doc. 105-1 at 1; Doc. 115 at 2). The EEOC has proffered no evidence to contradict the evidence
presented by Southern Haulers that all hiring decisions with regard to truck drivers were made by Daniel
Fire, at all relevant time the Corporate Safety Director of the parent corporation, R&J. (Doc. 109-1 at 13;
Doc. 109-2 at ¶¶ 3, 5, 6).
10

The EEOC incorrectly characterized this testimony as being that “Triezenberg did not forward
all applications to the Safety Department.” (Doc. 115 at ¶ 8 and n. 99, citing Doc. 116-3 at 7)(emphasis
added).

5

recall taking any applications when he was not hiring in 2007, 2008, and the first quarter
of 2009, if he took an application when he was not hiring, he kept it on his office
windowsill “for a minimum of ninety days and then I would discard them.” (Doc. 109-3
at 7, 19; Doc. 116-3 at 10). Triezenberg stated that there may have been times when he
held on to applications longer than ninety days, but it was only because “I don’t go
through that stack everyday.” (Doc. 109-3 at 23; Doc. 116-3 at 10). No evidence has
been proffered that any truck driver was ever hired based on an application received by
Triezenberg during a time defendant was not hiring drivers, specifically during 2009, but
held onto for more than ninety days.
6.

Reed testified that, “[i]f we were hiring the Brewton terminal would have a

sign put outside on their – put on the fence outside the fence . . . [and] we may run ads in
the local papers for the respective terminals.” (Doc. 109-1 at 15).
7.

Triezenberg testified that he “did not recall” advertising in any newspaper,

posting a notice on the bulletin board outside of Southern Haulers, or sending any
“feelers” out about a truck driving position available around the time Mr. Bartlett was
hired on April 24, 2008, or having at that time “any new contract or business that
necessitated hiring a driver.” (Doc. 116-3 at 9).

Triezenberg does not advertise open

truck driving positions on the internet. (Doc. 109-3 at 15; Doc. 115 at p. 15 ¶ 11).11

11

Consistent with Triezenberg’s testimony, Thomas Brown testified that, prior to being hired in
2010, he had not ever seen any notices that Southern Haulers was hiring or looking for truck drivers or
any postings on any websites. (Doc. 116-7 at 4). Brown also testified that Triezenberg, in 2010, brought
an application for Brown to Brown’s wife, a waitress who served Triezenberg his lunch every day.
According to Brown:
My wife worked at the Shell station right next door to Southern Haulers and John goes in
there every day for lunch. And days I wasn’t working I went up there and was aggravating John

(Continued)
6

8.

Daniel Fire (“Fire”), the former Corporate Safety Director, made all hiring

decisions with regard to truck drivers at the Brewton Terminal through April 13, 2012.
(Doc. 109-2 at 2-3; Doc. 109-1 at 14).12 In 2008, Southern Haulers hired five drivers for
the Brewton terminal. (Doc. 109-4 at ¶ 8; Doc. 115 at 16). Two of these five drivers
were African-Americans, namely Lamont Holland (“Holland”) and James Durant
(“Durant”). (Doc. 109-4 at ¶ 9). Holland and Durant personally presented their
applications to Triezenberg, who forwarded them to Fire, who made the decision to hire
them. (Doc. 109-4 at ¶¶ 7, 9, 10).13
9.

Prior to 2009, truck drivers at the Brewton terminal primarily picked up

Municipal Solid Waste from “transfer stations” and delivered it to landfills on a daily
basis. (Doc. 109-1 at 24; Doc. 115 at p. 17 ¶¶ 24-25). In August 2008, Southern Haulers

about a job. And in 2010, John came to my wife and gave her an application and told her to tell
me to fill it out. And a couple days later I got hired.
(Doc. 116-7 at 4). Thomas Burch also testified that, before submitting an application on March 17, 2010,
he had not seen any type of posting for the position of truck driver either on Southern Haulers facility or
on a billboard on Southern Haulers’ property. (Doc. 116-9 at 3) Burch had previously sought
employment at Southern Haulers but was told they “didn’t have anything available,” even part-time.
(Doc. 116-9 at 3). When Reo Pugh asked for work at Southern Haulers on April 19, 2010, he was told
that “they was slow” but he could fill out an application if he wanted to. (Doc. 116-8 at 2). He had not
seen any billboard advertising for Southern Haulers or any postings on their terminal. (Doc. 116-8 at 2).
Pugh was hired by Southern Haulers on May 5. 2010. (Doc. 116-8 at 3).
12

See n. 8, supra.

13

The EEOC contends that Triezenberg’s role in the hiring of Holland and Durant is somehow
irrelevant because they “were hired for special assignment out of Florida [and] did not work from the
Brewton terminal.” (Doc. 115 at 17, citing “Exhibit C- Triezenberg Dep. Pg. 67:4-70:12” but offering
only Doc. 116-3 at 8, which has Pg. 67:4-22 but no Pg. 70; but see Doc. 109-3 at 21). Holland, Durant
and a third driver similarly hired for the Pensacola, Florida assignment were nonetheless employees
assigned to and supervised by Triezenberg. (Doc. 109-3 at 20-21, 22-23).

7

lost its business with the Biloxi, Mississippi transfer station. (Doc. 109-3 at 32).14
Starting in late November or early December 2008 and continuing through 2009,
Southern Haulers’ revenue was down about thirty-five percent due to the loss of business
and the poor economy. (Doc. 109-1 at 39).15 In the first quarter of 2009, Southern

14

The EEOC does not dispute Southern Haulers’ loss of business and revenue but contends that it
is “immaterial.” (Doc. 115 at p. 17 ¶ 26). The EEOC claims that “Southern Haulers was still accepting
applications through 2009 including for employment at the Brewton Terminal.” (Doc. 115 at p. 17 n.
111, citing Doc. 116-3 at 6, emphasis added). However, the EEOC has submitted no evidence to
contradict Triezenberg’s testimony on this issue. Triezenberg testified as follows:
Q:
In 2009 did you accept employment applications for truck driving
positions even when Southern Haulers was not hiring?
A:

In 2009 I quit accepting applications.

Q:
Is it your testimony that at no time in 2009 you accepted an employment
application . . . for a truck driving position?
A:

No, I won’t say that. I stopped taking applications in the first quarter of

Q:

And why did you stop taking applications in the first quarter of 2009?

2009.

A:
In the third and fourth quarter of 2008 we lost a customer. In the first
quarter of 2009 we lost another customer, which displaced eight to nine drivers.
Q:

Did you have a layoff in 2009?

A:
We did not lay anyone off in 2009 that I recall. We did have a couple of
drivers who left us.
* * *
Q:

When did Southern Haulers resume accepting applications?

A:
I believe we started accepting applications when we picked up an
additional customer at the end of 2009 or beginning of 2010.
(Doc. 116-3 at 6).
15

The EEOC does not dispute this fact but argues that it is “immaterial.” (Doc. 115 at p. 17 ¶ 27).

8

Haulers lost its business with the Prattville, Alabama transfer station when the station was
hit by a tornado. (Doc. 109-3 at 17-8, 32).16
10.

The Prattville transfer station was never rebuilt, and Southern Haulers

never regained the lost business, which displaced approximately nine (9) drivers from the
Brewton terminal. (Doc. 109-3 at 17-18, 32).17 Triezenberg met with the drivers to
explain the slow down and placed some of the drivers at the Brewton Terminal on fourday workweeks as an alternative to layoffs. (Doc. 109-3 at 18, 34).18
11.

Triezenberg stopped accepting applications for truck driver positions during

the first quarter of 2009, (before the end of March 2009), because there was no need to
hire truck drivers. (Doc. 109-3 at 17; Doc. 109-4 at 4; Doc. 109-1 at 15).19 Southern
16

The EEOC does not dispute this fact but argues that it is “immaterial.” (Doc. 115 at p. 17 ¶ 29).

17

The EEOC does not dispute this fact but argues that it is “immaterial.” (Doc. 115 at p. 18 ¶ 30).

18

The EEOC does not dispute this fact but argues that it is “immaterial.” (Doc. 115 at p. 18 ¶ 31).
The EEOC also contends that “Southern Haulers hired drivers even when business was slow.” (Doc. 115
at p. 18 ¶ 31). As its proof, the EEOC cites the testimony of Reo Pugh:
Q:
And can you tell me exactly what happened on that date when you went
to the terminal?
A:
Only thing, I just come in and asked if he was hiring and he said they
was slow and – but he told me I could try if I wanted to, so I filled the application out.
And a few days later I went to work. A few days later. I can’t remember the date.
(Doc. 116-8 at 2). The EEOC does not dispute that Pugh submitted the subject application on April 19,
2010, and was hired by Fire on May 5, 2010, to work with a new customer which Southern Haulers
acquired in January 2010. (Doc. 108 at ¶¶ 86, 94-95; Doc. 115 at p. 23 ¶¶ 94-95, p. 22 ¶ 86).
19

The EEOC does not dispute this fact but argues it is immaterial. (Doc. 115 at p. 18 ¶ 32). This
argument is predicated in part on Williams’ testimony that Triezenberg told him that Southern Haulers
would never be hiring again. (Doc. 115 at p. 18 ¶ 32; Doc. 116-5 at 5). Cf. Williams’ EEOC Charge,
stating that on April 15, 2009, Triezenberg told him “We are not hiring and I don’t believe we will ever
be hiring again.” (Doc. 105-1 at 1). The EEOC’s present argument is also predicated on Brown’s
testimony that “throughout 2009” Triezenberg told him “If work became available, he would be
considered for employment.” (Doc. 115 at p. 18 ¶ 32, citing Doc. 116-7 at 2). The excerpt of Brown’s
deposition relied upon by the EEOC contains no indication that Triezenberg told Brown on more than a
single occasion when he submitted an application in 2008 that “when he got ready to hire he would let me

(Continued)
9

Haulers did not have any vacant truck driving positions at its Brewton terminal in 2009.
(Doc. 109-1 at 15; Doc. 109-3 at 17-18, 32; Doc. 109-2 at 3; Doc. 109-4 at 3).20
12.

Alfonzo Williams testified that, a “couple of months” before April 2009, he

began talking to random truck drivers at the Chevron gas station in Brewton whom he
believed to be employed by Southern Haulers. (Doc. 109-6 at 17; 24; Doc. 115 at p. 19 ¶
37). Williams claims that each truck driver he spoke with told him that Southern Haulers
was hiring. (Doc. 109-6 at 24; Doc. 115 at p. 19 ¶ 38). Williams cannot identify any of
the truck drivers with whom he spoke. (Doc. 109-6 at 24; Doc. 115 at p. 19 ¶ 39). The
EEOC states it is undisputed that the only information Williams could provide
concerning these truck drivers is that they were “white” and “all looked the same.” (Doc.
108 at p. 8 ¶ 40; Doc. 115 at p. 19 ¶ 40).21
13.

Sometime in March 2009, Williams talked to Southern Haulers’ truck

drivers on his CB radio who told him that Southern Haulers was hiring. (Doc. 108 at p. 8
¶ 41, citing Doc. 109-6 at 20; Doc. 115 at p. 19 ¶ 41). Williams cannot identify any of
the drivers with whom he spoke on the CB. (Doc. 109-6 at 20; Doc. 115 at p. 19 ¶ 42).

know and I can come and fill out another application.” (Doc. 116-7 at 2). No evidence has been
proffered that Brown’s 2008 application was held more than ninety days, as was the custom at the
Brewton terminal. (Doc.109-3 at 7, 19, 23; Doc. 116-3 at 10). There is, in fact, no evidence as to
precisely when in 2008 Brown submitted an application.
20

The EEOC does not dispute this fact but argues it is immaterial for the same reasons previously
cited in n. 15. (Doc. 115 at p. 18 ¶ 33).
21

In the deposition excerpt relied on to support this finding, Williams states that he had never
seen these drivers before and would not be able to recognize them if he saw them again. (Doc. 109-6 at
24).

10

14.

On April 13, 2009, Williams spoke to a Caucasian man “inside the fence”

at the Brewton terminal who told him Southern Haulers was hiring. (Doc. 109-6 at 20;
Doc. 115 at p. 19 ¶ 43). Williams does not know the name of this man, his position, or
whether he had the authority to hire truck drivers. (Doc. 109-6 at 20; Doc. 115 at p. 19 ¶
44). When Williams asked if they were hiring truck drivers, the man told him “Yeah,
they need plenty of drivers.” (Doc. 109-6 at 20). The man also told Williams that the
“guy” who did “the hiring” would be there at 7:30 the next morning. (Doc. 109-6 at 20;
Doc. 115 at p. 19 ¶ 45).
15.

On April 14, 2009, Williams went to the Brewton terminal to talk to the

“guy.” (Doc. 109-6 at 20; Doc. 115 at p. 19 ¶ 46). Williams entered Triezenberg’s office
unannounced and spoke to a Caucasian man he believed to be John Triezenberg. (Doc.
109-6 at 21).22 Williams had never before seen Triezenberg. (Doc. 109-6 at 27; Doc.
115 at p. 19 ¶ 48).
22

The EEOC contends that this fact must be “[d]isputed as written.” (Doc. 115 at p. 19 ¶ 47).
The EEOC contend that it “mischaracterizes the testimony [because] Williams . . . was invited to come
inside the terminal by Defendant’s mechanics.” (Doc. 115 at p. 19 ¶ 47). Williams actually testified as
follows:
Q:

And what was your understanding of what John’s job was?

A:
Well, he was sitting at the desk. I figured that he was the one doing the
hiring. He was the only one there.
Q:

Was his office like a separate room?

A:

Yes. It was a room. It was sitting back of the shop.

Q.

Had you called him ahead of time?

A:

No.

Q:

So he wasn’t expecting you to be there, to your knowledge?

A:

I had tried calling a few times, but I never could get an answer.

(Continued)
11

16.

Williams asked Triezenberg “if they [were] hiring any drivers.” (Doc. 109-

6 at 21; Doc. 115 at p. 19 ¶ 49). The man Williams believed to be Triezenberg said,
“I’m not hiring and I never will be hiring.” (Doc. 109-6 at 21; Doc. 115 at p. 19 ¶ 50).
Williams then asked, “[W]ell can I put in an application?” (Doc. 109-6 at 21; Doc. 115 at
p. 19 ¶ 51). Triezenberg responded, “[D]idn’t I just tell you I’m not hiring and I never
will be hiring?” (Doc. 109-6 at 21; Doc. 115 at p. 20 ¶ 52). Williams then took a
business card off Triezenberg’s desk. (Doc. 109-6 at 21; Doc. 115 at p. 20 ¶ 53).23
Triezenberg requested the business card back, scratched through his cell phone number

Q:

So you didn’t talk to him before you showed up at the office, correct?

A:

No, I didn’t talk to him.

Q:

So he was sitting behind his desk. Did you knock on the door?

A:

No. The guys in the mechanic shop told me just to walk on in.

(Doc. 109-6 at 21).
23

The EEOC contends that this fact, although “[u]ndisputed,” is “materially incomplete. (Doc.
115 at p. 20 ¶ 53). The EEOC further contends that “Williams asked for the business card so that in the
event Southern Hauler’s would begin to hire again, Williams had a way to contact Triezenberg directly.”
(Doc. 115 at p. 20 ¶ 53, citing Doc. 116-5 at 5). Williams testified:
Q:
So what happened after he said [Didn’t I just tell you I’m not hiring and I
will never be hiring?]?
A:
When he said that, I looked on the desk and I seen one of his business
cards. And while I was telling him, Well, let me get one of your business cards so at least
I can call you just in case you change your mind. So I reached and got one of his cards
off the desk.
Q:

Did he tell you you couldn’t have his business card?

A:
Yeah – He told me, he said, Give it back – He said can I hold that? I
said, Yeah. I gave it back to him. He took a pen and scratched his cell phone number off
and throwed it back to me.
(Doc. 116-5 at 5-6).

12

and returned the card. (Doc. 109-6 at 21; Doc. 116-5 at 5-6).24 Williams then left the
office. (Doc. 109-6 at 21; Doc. 115 at p. 20 ¶ 55).
17.

Triezenberg does not recall speaking to Williams on any date. (Doc. 109-3

at 26-27; Doc. 115 at p. 20 ¶ 56). Triezenberg testified that he has at “numerous times”
scratched out his cell phone number from his business cards, which leaves only the office
number. (Doc. 109-3 at 26-27). He does this “so I don’t have sales people or what have
you calling me on Sunday or Saturday, Wednesday night when I’m out with my wife or
whatever.” (Doc. 109-3 at 27). Williams has acknowledged that the office number still
appeared on the business card he took from Triezenberg’s desk. (Doc. 109-6 at 34).
18.

Williams believes that Southern Haulers discriminated against him on the

basis of his race because of how Triezenberg treated him. (Doc. 109-6 at 31, 43; Doc.
115 at p. 20 ¶ 57). Williams testified that he had no evidence that Triezenberg treated
anyone else, black or white, any differently. (Doc. 109-6 at 33; Doc. 115 at p. 21 ¶ 62).
Williams also testified that he would feel differently if Triezenberg had allowed him to
apply for a job, even if he then threw it in the trash. (Doc. 109-6 at 23; Doc. 115 at p.20 ¶
60).25 Williams never again contacted Triezenberg or Southern Haulers. (Doc. 109-6 at

24

Despite Williams testimony as set forth in n. 22, supra, the EEOC contends that “[i]nitially,
Triezenberg told Williams he could not have his business card.” (Doc. 115 at p. 20 ¶ 54). However, this
contention is not supported by the record.
25

The EEOC contends that this fact is immaterial because, inter alia, in addition to being rude
and not allowing Williams to complete an employment application, Triezenberg “allowed white
applicants with far less qualifications to complete applications, processed them, and then offered them
truck driving positions with Southern Haulers.” (Doc. 115 at p. 20 ¶ 59). The EEOC fails to identify any
applicant who even submitted an application to Triezenberg in 2009. Instead, the EEOC contends that
Triezenberg accepted an application from Thomas Brown at some unspecified time in 2008 and then
surmises that Triezenberg hung onto that application until he could hire Brown in 2010. There is,
however, no evidence in this record that any application submitted to Triezenberg in 2008 was held more
than ninety days as was the custom. In contrast, the evidence of record establishes that Thomas Brown’s

(Continued)
13

21; Doc. 115 at p. 20 ¶ 61). Williams further testified that he knows of no other person
who physically went to the Brewton terminal to inquire about a truck driving position
after the first quarter of 2009 and was allowed to apply. (Doc. 109-6 at 29; Doc. 115 at
p.21 ¶ 63). Other than his son-in-law, Alton Kelly, who inquired by telephone in May or
June 2009, Williams knows of no other African-American who inquired about a truck
driving position at the Brewton terminal in 2009. (Doc. 109-6 at 29; Doc. 115 at p. 21 ¶
64). Nor does Williams know of any truck driver who was hired at the Brewton terminal
in 2009 or at any time after his inquiry. (Doc. 109-6 at 38).26 Williams did not see any
type of advertisement, either in the newspaper or on Southern Haulers’ fence, regarding
the open truck driver positions. (Doc. 109-6 at 17, 39; Doc. 115 at p.21 ¶ 66).
19.

Alton Kelly met someone he believed to be a Southern Haulers’ truck

driver at a Brewton gas station in May or June 2009 who told him Southern Haulers was
hiring truck drivers. (Doc. 109-7 at 15; Doc. 115 at p. 21 ¶ 67). Kelly does not know the
truck driver’s name and cannot recall what he looks like. (Doc. 109-7 at 12, 15; Doc. 115
at p. 21 ¶ 68). Kelly never visited the Brewton terminal and only made one telephone
inquiry in June 2009 about whether Southern Haulers was hiring truck drivers. (Doc.
109-7 at 12-13, 29). When Kelly called Southern Haulers in June 2009, he spoke with a

employment by Southern Haulers on February 1, 2010, was pursuant to an application filed on January 7,
2010. See n. 19, supra and n. 28, infra.; Finding # 21 and n. 32, infra.
26

The EEOC contends that this fact is “[d]isputed , but immaterial.” (Doc. 115 at p. 21 ¶ 65,
citing only the unsupported contention set forth in response to Southern Haulers’ “Undisputed Fact #
59”). See n. 25, supra.

14

man but does not know his name27 and only assumes he was Caucasian. (Doc. 109-7 at
13, 16; Doc. 115 at p. 21 ¶ 72). During his one telephone call to Southern Haulers, the
person who answered the phone told Kelly there was no reason to apply because
Southern Haulers was “not hiring right now, and that was the end of the conversation.”
(Doc. 115 at p. 21 ¶ 69, citing Doc. 109-7 at 13). Triezenberg does not recall ever having
a conversation with Kelly. (Doc. 109-3 at 28; Doc. 115 at p. 22 ¶ 85).
20.

Kelly never identified himself as African-American. (Doc. 109-7 at 16).

Kelly testified that he believes that Southern Haulers denied him “the ability to submit an
application because [he] was black based on the sound of his voice.” (Doc. 109-7 at 16;
Doc. 115 at p. 22 ¶¶ 78, 79).
21.

Kelly believes that he should have been allowed to submit an application

even if Southern Haulers was not hiring. (Doc. 109-7 at 15-16; Doc. 115 at p. 22 ¶ 80).
Kelly also testified that he does not know how the unidentified male with whom he spoke
on the phone treats or speaks to other callers. (Doc. 109-7 at 30; Doc. 115 at p. 22 ¶ 82).
Kelly’s sole basis for believing that Southern Haulers was hiring truck drivers was the
unidentified man he met at a Brewton gas station. (Doc. 109-7 at 14-15; Doc. 115 at p.
22 ¶ 83). Kelly does not know of any truck driver hired by Southern Haulers for its
Brewton terminal after his inquiry. (Doc. 109-7 at 29; Doc. 115 at p. 22 ¶ 84).28

27

Kelly testified that the man did not identify himself and Kelly did not ask his name but, instead,
Kelly introduced himself and only asked if they were hiring. (Doc. 109-7 at 3; Doc. 115 at p. 21 ¶ 73).
Reed testified that, in addition to Triezenberg, the phone could have been answered by Vince Howlett, the
Maintenance Manager at the Brewton terminal. (Doc. 109-1 at 20-21).
28

The EEOC asserts that “Southern Haulers engaged in a sustained period of hiring, including the
hiring of three white drivers who submitted in-person applications to the Brewton terminal. (Doc. 115 at

(Continued)
15

20.

In January 2010, Southern Haulers obtained a new customer, Schnitzer

Southeast (“Schnitzer”), a scrap dealer. (Doc. 116-3 at 32; Doc. 115 at p. 22 ¶ 86).29 The
dump trucks used to haul scrap metal are different from the tipper trucks used by
Southern Haulers to haul solid waste. (Doc. 116-3 at 32; Doc. 115 at p. 23 ¶ 87).
Triezenberg determined that, as a result of the new relationship with Schnitzer, he needed
to hire dump truck drivers for the Brewton terminal to haul the scrap metal. (Doc. 109-3
at 32).30 Triezenberg began accepting applications for truck drivers at the Brewton
terminal in January 2010. (Doc. 109-3 at 32; Doc. 109-2 at ¶ 17).31

p. 22 ¶ 84, citing Doc. 116-2 at 4-7). Of the documents relied on by the EEOC, only one (doc. 116-2 at 7)
refers to the Brewton terminal but, although providing barely legible names of employees, is
undecipherable with respect to the relevant “DATE OF HIRE” and the EEOC makes no effort to explain
the evidence. (Doc. 115 at p. 22 ¶ 84, citing Doc. 116-2 at 4-7). The “three white drivers” referred to by
the EEOC appear to include Thomas Brown, Thomas Burch and Reo Pugh. (Doc. 116-2 at 7). These
drivers, however, did not apply and were not hired until 2010, more than six to eight months following
Williams visit to Southern Haulers’ Brewton terminal and Kelly’s phone call. See Doc. 116-7 at 2, 4
(Thomas Brown submitted his application in 2010 and was hired within a couple of days on February 2,
2010); Doc. 116-9 at 2, 5 (Thomas Burch submitted his application on March 17, 2010, and was hired
April 13, 2010); Doc. 16-8 at 2, 3 (Reo Pugh submitted application on April 19, 2010 and was hired May
5, 2010). These three men also applied and were hired either immediately before or after Kelly, in March
2010, had back surgery and submitted an application for Social Security disability claiming to be “unable
to perform work as a truck driver.” (Doc. 109-7 at 9). Additionally, Kelly testified that, with respect to
his back pain prior to his surgery in March 2010, for “[a]bout six months I went back and forth to the
doctor and was taking medication, going to therapy and none of it worked.” (Doc. 109-7 at 8-9). These
three drivers did not apply and were not hired until after Kelly’s back pain became such a problem that he
sought a surgical resolution which incapacitated him for “about a year and a half” and led to his
application for permanent disability.” (Doc. 109-7 at 8).
29

The EEOC’s contention that “[r]egardless of customer accounts, Southern Haulers began a
sustained period of hiring for truck drivers beginning in July 2009” is not supported by the record. See n.
25 and n. 28, supra.
30

The EEOC states that this fact is disputed (doc. 115 at p. 23 ¶ 88), but then refers to an earlier
response in which it declares that the fact is “undisputed but materially incomplete” (doc. 115 at p. 22 ¶
86). Despite this inconsistency, the evidence of record establishes the fact and its materiality. See n. 25
and n. 28, supra.
31

The EEOC disputes this fact on the grounds that “[t]here is no evidence that Triezenbach
accepted more than the three (3) applications from the successful white applicants, who each applied
with[in] a span of three months.” (Doc. 115 at p. 23 ¶ 89). The EEOC acknowledges, however, that

(Continued)
16

21.

On January 7, 2010, Thomas “Josh” Brown, a Caucasian, submitted an

application to the Brewton terminal for a truck driver position. (Doc. 109-3 at 30; Doc.
115 at p. 23 ¶ 90).32 Triezenberg forwarded this application to Fire, who hired Brown on
February 1, 2010, which was within 90 days of his application date. (Doc. 109-3 at 30;
Doc. 109-2 at ¶¶ 13-14; Doc. 109-4 at ¶ 17; Doc. 115 at p. 23 ¶ 91).33
22.

On March 17, 2010, Thomas “Rocky” Burch, a Caucasian, submitted an

application to the Brewton terminal for a truck driver position. (Doc. 109-3 at 30; Doc.
115 at p. 23 ¶ 92). Triezenberg forwarded this application to Fire, who hired Burch on
April 13, 2010, which was within 90 days of his application date. (Doc. 109-3 at 30;
Doc. 109-2 at ¶¶ 13-14; Doc. 109-4 at ¶ 17; Doc. 115 at p. 23 ¶ 93).
23.

On April 19, 2010, Reo Pugh, a Caucasian, submitted an application to the

Brewton terminal for a truck driver position. (Doc. 109-3 at 31; Doc. 115 at p. 23 ¶ 94).
Triezenberg forwarded this application to Fire, who hired Burch on May 5, 2010, which
was within 90 days of his application date. (Doc. 109-3 at 3; Doc. 109-2 at ¶¶ 13-14;
Doc. 109-4 at ¶ 17; Doc. 115 at p. 23 ¶ 95).

Triezenberg “customarily discards applications . . . after a period of 90 days.” (Doc. 115 at p. 23 ¶ 89,
citing (Doc. 109-3 at 23).
32

The EEOC does not dispute this fact but again challenges the materiality of Brown’s 2010
application because he is alleged to have been “allowed to submit an in-person application in 2008.”
(Doc. 115 at p. 23 ¶ 90, citing Doc. 116-7 at 2). The EEOC acknowledges, however, that Triezenberg
“customarily discards applications . . . after a period of 90 days.” (Doc. 115 at p. 23 ¶ 89, citing (Doc.
109-3 at 23). See also, n. 25, n. 28, and n. 31, supra.
33

The EEOC disputes that Brown was hired within 90 days of his application because the EEOC
continues to argue that Brown was hired pursuant to an application submitted in 2008. (Doc. 115 at p. 23
¶ 91). The record contains no evidence, however, either regarding the date of that 2008 application or
establishing that the 2008 application was not discarded in the trash 90 days after submission as was the
undisputed custom of Triezenberg.

17

24.

There is no evidence that any African-American applied for any of the

truck driver positions filled by Brown, Burch or Pugh. (Doc. 109-4 at ¶ 18; Doc. 115 at
p. 24 ¶ 96).
25.

In 2011, Southern Haulers hired eight truck drivers at the Brewton terminal.

(Doc. 109-3 at 31-32; Doc. 115 at p. 24 ¶ 97). Four of these truck drivers are AfricanAmerican. (Doc. 109-3 at 31-32; Doc. 109-4 at ¶¶ 20-22; Doc. 115 at p. 24 ¶ 98). In
2012, Southern Haulers hired four truck drivers at the Brewton terminal. (Doc. 109-3 at
31-32; Doc. 109-4 at ¶¶ 23-26; Doc. 115 at p. 24 ¶ 99). One of these truck drivers is
African-American. (Doc. 109-3 at 31-32; Doc. 109-4 at ¶¶ 23-26; Doc. 115 at p. 24 ¶
100). Triezenberg met each African-American who applied for these jobs, accepted their
applications and forwarded those applications to the Corporate Safety Director. (Doc.
109-3 at 31; Doc. 109-4 at ¶¶ 10, 19, 22, 26; Doc. 115 at p. 24 ¶ 101).
26.

Southern Haulers proffers the following evidence in support of its

contention that Williams has failed to mitigate his damages. In this regard, Williams
testified:
Q.
Well, do you have any plans of going to look for another job?
Because I thought that you –
A.
In the future I probably will.
Q.
Well, do you have any estimation of when you're going to
start looking for a job again?
A.
I can't say right now.
Q.
Is there anything in particular you're waiting on before you do
that?
A.
The only thing I can do is drive a truck.
Q.
Okay. Well, what truck driving positions have you applied for
since you left MSJ?
A.
I haven't applied for none.
Q.
And what's keeping you from applying?
A.
Just not ready yet.
Q.
And why are you not ready?
18

A.
Q.
to work?
A.

Just not ready to go to work yet.
But why is that? What's keeping you from wanting to go back
I mean, it's just me. It's not no personal thing. It's just me.

(Doc. 109-6 at 41; Doc. 115 at p. 24 ¶102).34 Five to six months after being denied an
opportunity to submit an application in April 2009 with Southern Haulers because they
were not hiring truck drivers, Williams obtained employment with JR Trucking and
worked there for three or four months. (Doc. 109-6 at 15; Doc. 115 at p. 24 ¶ 102).
About one month after leaving JR Trucking, Williams went back to work at MSJ
Trucking and worked there for “about five months.” (Doc. 109-6 at 15; Doc. 115 at p.
24 ¶ 102).
27.

Kelly suffered a back injury, which required surgery in March 2010. (Doc.

109-7 at 8-9; Doc. 115 at p. 24 ¶ 103). As a result of this surgery, Kelly was out of work
for “about a year-and-a-half.” (Doc. 109-7 at 8; Doc. 115 at p. 24 ¶ 104). Kelly
thereafter filed an application for Social Security disability alleging an inability to work.
(Doc. 109-7 at 8-9).
II.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW.
A.

Standard of Review.

“The court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no

34

The EEOC states that this evidence “speaks for itself but materially [sic] incomplete.” (Doc.
115 at p. 24 ¶ 102). The EEOC then asserts that “[s]ince being denied employment by Southern Haulers,
Williams has worked a number of jobs, including both long haul and short haul assignments.” (Doc. 115
at p. 24 ¶ 102). The EEOC specifically refers to jobs with JR Trucking and MSJ Trucking. (Doc. 115 at
p. 24 ¶ 102). The EEOC does not dispute that the job with JR Trucking was not sought by Williams until
five to six months after his inquiry to Southern Haulers and was kept for only three to four months, and
Williams then waited a month to go back to work for MSJ Trucking for “about five months.” (Doc. 115 at
p. 24 ¶ 102).

19

genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter
of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). Rule 56(c) governs procedures and provides as follows:
(1) Supporting Factual Positions. A party asserting that a fact cannot be or is
genuinely disputed must support the assertion by:
(A) citing to particular parts of materials in the record,
including depositions, documents, electronically stored information,
affidavits or declarations, stipulations (including those made for
purposes of the motion only), admissions, interrogatory answers,
or other materials; or
(B) showing that the materials cited do not establish the absence
or presence of a genuine dispute, or that an adverse party cannot
produce admissible evidence to support the fact.
(2) Objection That a Fact Is Not Supported by Admissible Evidence. A party
may object that the material cited to support or dispute a fact cannot be
presented in a form that would be admissible in evidence.
(3) Materials Not Cited. The court need consider only the cited materials, but
it may consider other materials in the record.
(4) Affidavits or Declarations. An affidavit or declaration used to support
or oppose a motion must be made on personal knowledge, set out facts that
would be admissible in evidence, and show that the affiant or declarant is
competent to testify on the matters stated.
Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c).
Southern Haulers, as the party seeking summary judgment, bears the initial responsibility
of informing the district court of the basis for its motion and identifying those portions of the
pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the
affidavits, if any, which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact.
Clark v. Coats & Clark, Inc., 929 F.2d 604, 608 (11th Cir. 1991) (quoting Celotex Corp. v.
Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986)). The mere existence of a factual dispute will not
automatically necessitate denial; rather, only factual disputes that are material preclude entry of
summary judgment. Lofton v. Sec’y of Dep’t of Children & Family Servs., 358 F.3d 804, 809
20

(11th Cir. 2004).

If the non-moving party fails to make a sufficient showing on an essential element
of his case with respect to which he has the burden of proof, the moving party is entitled
to summary judgment. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323. In reviewing whether the non-moving
party has met his burden, the Court must stop short of weighing the evidence and making
credibility determinations of the truth of the matter. Instead, the evidence of the nonmovant is to be believed, and all justifiable inferences are to be drawn in his favor. Tipton
v. Bergrohr GMBHSiegen, 965 F.2d 994, 998-99 (11th Cir. 1992) (internal citations and
quotations omitted).
“The mere existence of some evidence to support the non-moving party is not
sufficient for denial of summary judgment; there must be ‘sufficient evidence favoring
the nonmoving party for a jury to return a verdict for that party.’ “ Bailey v. Allgas, Inc.,
284 F.3d 1237, 1243 (11th Cir. 2002), quoting Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc.
477 U.S. 242, 249 (1986). “If the evidence is merely colorable, or is not significantly
probative, summary judgment may be granted.” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249–250. (internal
citations omitted).
B.

Title VII Race Discrimination.

This action was brought pursuant to Sections 706(f)(1) and (3) of Title VII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e-5(f)(1) (“Title VII”) and
Section 102 of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, 42 U.S.C. § 1981a. (Doc. 1 at ¶ 1). The
EEOC and Williams allege that, since April 2009, Southern Haulers engaged in
discriminatory hiring practices against Alfonzo Williams and a class of AfricanAmericans, which includes only Alton Kelly, at Southern Haulers’ Brewton terminal.
21

(Doc. 4 at ¶ 7; Doc. 25 at ¶ 7).
Title VII makes it “an unlawful employment practice for an employer to fail or
refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any
individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of
employment, because of such individual's race . . . .” 42 U.S.C. § 2000e–2 (a)(1).
“Whether an employer intentionally discriminated against an employee or potential
employee is a question of fact, which may be proved either through direct or
circumstantial evidence.” EEOC v. Joe's Stone Crabs, Inc., 296 F.3d 1265, 1272 (11th
Cir. 2002), citing Green v. Sch. Bd. of Hillsborough County, 25 F.3d 974, 977-78 (11th
Cir. 1994). “Direct evidence of discrimination is evidence, that, ‘if believed, proves [the]
existence of [a] fact in issue without inference or presumption’. ” (Id.), quoting
Schoenfeld v. Babbitt, 168 F.3d 1257, 1266 (11th Cir. 1999)(alterations in original).
The EEOC acknowledges that its case is predicated on circumstantial evidence.
(Doc. 115 at 26). The EEOC’s case must, therefore, be analyzed using the burdenshifting framework established in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792
(1973), and subsequent cases. Joe’s Stone Crabs, 296 F.3d at 1272. Under this
framework, the EEOC must initially establish a prima facie case of discrimination, which
creates a rebuttable presumption that the employer unlawfully discriminated against the
plaintiff-intervenor and his class. Id., citing McDonnell Douglas, 411 U.S. at 802; United
States Postal Service Bd. of Governors v. Aikens, 460 U.S. 711, 714 (1983). If the
EEOC establishes a prima facie case, the burden shifts to Southern Haulers to rebut the
presumption that it discriminated by producing evidence that its action was taken for
some legitimate, non-discriminatory reason. Id., citing Texas Dep't of Community
22

Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S. 248, 254-55 (1981). If Southern Haulers meets its burden of
production, the presumption of discrimination is rebutted, and the inquiry “proceeds to a
new level of specificity,” in which the EEOC must show that the proffered reason really
is a pretext for unlawful discrimination. Id. at 1272-73, quoting Burdine, 450 U.S. at
255-56. “Although the intermediate burdens of production shift back and forth, the
ultimate burden of persuading the trier of fact that the employer intentionally
discriminated against the employee remains at all times with the plaintiff.” Id. at 1273,
citing Burdine, 450 U.S. at 253; Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Prods., Inc., 530 U.S.
133, 143 (2000).
C.

Analysis.
(1)

Prima Facie Case.

In order to establish a prima facie case of failure to hire by Southern Haulers, the
EEOC must show that: “(1) [Williams] was a member of a protected class; (2) [h]e
applied and was qualified for a position for which the employer was accepting
applications; (3) despite [his] qualifications, [h]e was not hired; and (4) the position
remained open or was filled by another person outside of [his] protected class.” Lane v.
Broward County, Florida, 411 Fed.Appx. 272, 273 (11th Cir. 2011), quoting Joe's Stone
Crabs, 296 F.3d at 1273.
Southern Haulers contends that the EEOC has failed to establish a prima facie case
because it has failed to establish that Southern Haulers “was accepting applications or
had truck driving positions available at its Brewton terminal at the times Williams and
Kelly attempted to apply. (Doc. 108 at 18). The EEOC argues, in sum, that it has
satisfied its prima facie burden because both Williams and Kelly did everything possible
23

to apply for a job as a truck driver at the Brewton terminal and, “[w]ithin a month of
Kelly’s employment inquiry [said to be by phone ‘sometime between April 2009 and
June 2009’], Southern Haulers hired 34 drivers began a sustained period of hiring
between July 2009 and May 30, 2010[, including] twenty-two (22) drivers at its Calera
facility, nine (9) drivers at its Decatur facility, and three (3) at its Brewton facility.”
(Doc. 115 at 29, 31, 32). Williams and Kelly did not, however, seek to apply at either
the Calera or the Decatur terminals; they only sought to apply at the Brewton terminal
because they lived nearby. Nor has the EEOC submitted any evidence to demonstrate
how many applications were offered to or accepted by Southern Haulers with respect to
the Calera terminal or the Decatur terminal.
Other than the administrative duties performed by, inter alia, the Corporate
Security Director of Southern Haulers, the record is devoid of any evidence that each of
these separate terminal did not operate entirely independently. Rather, the evidence
reflects that each terminal was managed by its own terminal manager who alone
determined, based on customer need, how many truck drivers were needed at that
terminal (Doc. 109-1 at 15), and who alone was responsible for advertising for any open
positions available at that terminal (Doc 109-1 at 19). Reed testified that:
“Each terminal manager works autonomously from everyone else in
determining whether he has enough trucks filled by drivers to handle the
freight our of his terminal, as each terminal operates independently of the
other terminals because we’re regional. You know, we’re small regional
carriers. Each terminal manager knows what freight he has and if he has
enough men or filled trucks to handle that freight. If he has excess freight
and needs drivers then he takes applications to fill those trucks.
(Doc. 109-1 at 19). Reed further testified that, although a driver may request a transfer to
another terminal, the terminals do not share drivers because the trucks are day cabs that
24

do not have sleepers and each truck is maintained and fueled at each respective terminal.
(Doc. 109-1 at 19).
The evidence of record also demonstrate that no person either applied for
employment, or was hired as a truck driver at the Brewton terminal between the time that
five drivers were hired for the Brewton terminal in 2008, of whom two were AfricanAmerican drivers, Lamont Holland and James Durant, and the hiring of three drivers in
January, April and May of 2010, respectively, following the acquisition of a new
customer, Schnitzer Southeast, in January 2010.35 The three drivers referred to by the
EEOC as being hired at the “Brewton facility” included: (1) Thomas “Josh” Brown, who
submitted his application on January 7, 2010, and was hired on February 1, 2010; (2)
Thomas “Rocky” Burch, who submitted an application on March 17, 2010, and was hired
on April 13, 2010; and (3) Reo Pugh, who submitted his application on April 19, 2010
and was hired on May 5, 2010. Consequently, there is no evidence of record to
demonstrate that any application was taken or that any truck driver was hired at the
Brewton terminal throughout 2009, or within even six months of the alleged phone
inquiry by Kelly at some unspecified date in June 2009. As compared to Williams’
claim, the first application for a truck driver position was not accepted until nearly nine
months after Williams’ in-person inquiry at the Brewton terminal on April 14, 2009.
There is, therefore, no evidence that Southern Haulers was accepting applications or kept

35

Although Thomas Brown claimed to have submitted an application in 2008 even though he was
told they were not hiring, there is no evidence as to precisely when he submitted this application and no
evidence that it was held more than ninety days as was the custom. A reasonable inference must be that
the 2008 application no longer existed when Brown was given the opportunity to submit an application on
January 7, 2010. (Doc. 109-3 at30; Doc. 115 at p. 23 ¶ 90).

25

a truck driver position open at the Brewton terminal at the time Williams inquired about
such positions in-person on April 14, 2009, or thereafter throughout the remainder of
2009 and until Southern Haulers acquired a new customer in January 2010.
The EEOC argues that the failure of Williams and Kelly to formally apply is of no
consequence because they “did everything reasonably possible to make Southern Haulers
know of their interest in applying for the job of truck driver.” (Doc. 115 at p. 29). The
EEOC specifically alleges that plaintiffs established their prima facie case “when they
showed, inter alia, that “they did everything within their power to apply for
employment.” Id., citing Furnco Const. Corp. v. Waters, 438 U.S. 567, 576 (1978). The
EEOC omits, however, under the rubric “inter alia,” a relevant portion of the Furnco
decision. The elements of a prima facie case cannot be taken out of context in this
manner. The Supreme Court held as follows in Furnco:
McDonnell Douglas did make clear that a Title VII plaintiff carries the
initial burden of showing actions taken by the employer from which one
can infer, if such actions remain unexplained, that it is more likely than not
that such actions were “based on a discriminatory criterion illegal under the
Act.” [Citations omitted] And here respondents carried that initial burden
by proving they were members of a racial minority; they did everything
within their power to apply for employment; Furnco has conceded that they
were qualified in every respect for the jobs which were about to be open;
[Footnote omitted] they were not offered employment . . .; and the
employer continued to seek persons of similar qualifications.
438 U.S. at 576 (emphasis added).

In this case it is undisputed that Southern Haulers

lost its business in August 2008 with the Biloxi, Mississippi transfer station and, in the
first quarter of 2009, lost its business with the Prattville, Alabama transfer station, both of
which were service by the Brewton terminal. See Findings 9-11, supra. Although the
EEOC maintains that such a loss of business is irrelevant/immaterial, even when it results
26

in some drivers being sequestered (i.e. placed on four-day workweeks as an alternative to
layoffs),36 no legal support has been offered for the proposition that the Court may infer
racial discrimination from the failure of a company to accept applications and/or hire at a
time when it has lost business, does not need any new employees, and does not know
when it might gain new business and require new employees. Here, the first new
customer was not acquired until January 2010. See Finding # 20, supra. Neither
Williams nor Kelly ever contacted Southern Haulers about available truck driving
positions after their initial inquiries in April 2009 and June 2009, respectively. Even if
they had been permitted to submit an application at the time of their inquiry when there
was no open position and it was uncertain when a new customer would be acquired, those
applications would have been discarded approximately ninety days afterwards, well
before circumstances changed at the Brewton terminal. See Finding # 5, supra. See also,
McCaslin v. Birmingham Museum of Art, 384 Fed.Appx. 871, 874 (11th Cir. 2010)
(Affirmed district court’s conclusion that plaintiff failed to satisfy the second prong a
prima facie case because “it is unreasonable to infer that [plaintiff’s] 1999 letter to the
[defendant] was an application for a position filled almost seven years later.”).37
Consequently, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, the EEOC
has failed to establish a prima facie case of discrimination.

36

See Finding # 10, supra.

37

The Eleventh Circuit also addressed the issue of whether a plaintiff must show that she applied
for the position when an employer fails to announce a position formally and instead uses informal and
subjective procedures to identify a candidate. McCaslin, 384 Fed.Appx. at 874). The Eleventh Circuit
held that plaintiff “only has to prove that the employer had ‘some reason’ to consider her for the
position.” Id., citing Vessels v. Atlanta Indep. Sch. Sys., 408 F.3d 763, 768 (11th Cir.2005).

27

(2

Legitimate Nondiscriminatory Reason.

Even assuming that the EEOC has established a prima facie case, the defendant
has articulated a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for its actions. Southern Haulers’
burden, once a prima facie case of discrimination is established, is to “articulate a nondiscriminatory reason” for failing to hire Williams and Kelly, but this burden is “a burden
of production, not of persuasion.” Vessels v. Atlanta Indep. Sch. Sys., 408 F.3d 763, 769
(11th Cir.2005), citing Burdine, 450 U.S. at 254. See also St. Mary's Honor Ctr. v.
Hicks, 509 U.S. 502, 507 (1993)( “[T]he defendant must clearly set forth, through the
introduction of admissible evidence, reasons for its actions which, if believed by the trier
of fact, would support a finding that unlawful discrimination was not the cause of the
employment action.”). Southern Haulers’ burden has been described as being
“exceedingly light,” because, “[s]o long as the employer articulates a clear and
reasonably specific non-discriminatory basis for its actions, it has discharged its burden
of production.” Lane v. Broward County, Florida, 411 Fed.Appx. 272, 274 (11th Cir.
2011), quoting Vessels, 408 F.3d at 769–70.
Southern Haulers has asserted that, at the time of Williams and Kelly’s inquiry
into a truck driving position at the Brewton terminal, no applications were being accepted
because there were no truck driving positions available at the Brewton terminal. There
were no truck driving positions available at the Brewton terminal because Southern
Haulers lost its business with the Biloxi, Mississippi transfer station in August 2008
(Doc. 109-3 at 32); in the first quarter of 2009, Southern Haulers lost its business with the
Prattville, Alabama transfer station when the station was hit by a tornado (Doc. 109-3 at
17-8, 32); and, starting in late November or early December 2008 and continuing through
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2009, Southern Haulers’ revenue was down about thirty-five percent due to the loss of
business and the poor economy (Doc. 109-1 at 39).
(2)

Pretext.

The burden now shifts to the EEOC to demonstrate that the aforementioned nondiscriminatory reason articulated by Southern Haulers for not hiring Williams and Kelly
was pretextual. The evidence in this record demonstrates that no person either applied
for employment, or was hired as a truck driver at the Brewton terminal between the time
five drivers were hired for the Brewton terminal in 2008, among whom were two
African-American drivers, Lamont Holland and James Durant, and the hiring of three
drivers in January, April and May of 2010, respectively, following the acquisition of a
new customer, Schnitzer Southeast, in January 2010. The attempt by Williams in person
and Kelly by phone to obtain permission to submit an application when there existed no
open positions for truck driver does not alter the legitimacy of the non-discriminatory
reason articulated by Southern Haulers, regardless of how rudely Williams and Kelly
believe Triezenberg may have treated them. “Title VII, as it has been aptly observed, is
not a ‘general civility code[,]’ “ Gupta [v. Florida Bd. of Regents, 212 F.3d 571, 583
(11th Cir. 2000) (quoting Faragher v. City of Boca Raton, 524 U.S. 775, 788
(1998)])(quotation altered), and it “does not operate as a general ban on ... rude or
offensive behavior.' “ Leslie v. Cumulus Media, Inc., 814 F.Supp.2d 1326, 1343
(S.D.Ala.2011) (quoting Weaver v. Potter, No. CV 110–005, 2010 WL 2465423, at *4
(S.D.Ga. Apr. 21, 2010) (citation omitted)).
In Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Prods. Inc., 530 U.S. 133, 120 (2000), the
Supreme Court clarified that a prima facie case of discrimination, combined with
29

evidence from which a jury could conclude that an employer's proffered justification was
false, supported an inference of discrimination sufficient to defeat summary judgment. In
other words, a plaintiff is not required to provide additional evidence that race was the
true reason for the employment decision. The Court further explained as follows:
Proof that the defendant's explanation is unworthy of credence is simply
one form of circumstantial evidence that is probative of intentional
discrimination, and it can be quite persuasive. In appropriate circumstances,
the trier of fact can reasonably infer from the falsity of the explanation that
the employer is dissembling to cover up a discriminatory purpose....
Moreover, once the employer's justification has been eliminated,
discrimination may well be the most likely alternative explanation,
especially since the employer is in the best position to put forth the actual
reason for its decision. Thus, a plaintiff's prima facie case, combined with
sufficient evidence to find the employer's asserted justification is false, may
permit the trier of fact to conclude that the employer unlawfully
discriminated.
530 U.S. at 147–48 (citations omitted). See also, Conroy v. Abraham Chevrolet-Tampa,
Inc., 375 F.3d 1228, 1236 (11th Cir. 2004)(Summary judgment for a defendant is
impermissible “where the plaintiff, after satisfying the requirements of a prima facie case,
presented evidence that the defendant's proffered explanation was pretextual.”), citing
Reeves, 530 U.S. at 146-49.
The EEOC acknowledges that it “bears the ultimate burden of proving that
defendant intentionally discriminated against him.” Doc. 115 at 35, citing Hicks, 509
U.S. at 509-11; Glidden v. County of Monroe, 950 F.Supp. 73, 75 (W.D. N.Y. 1997).
The EEOC further states that it “may demonstrate Defendants’ reasons were pretextual
by revealing such weaknesses, implausibilities, inconsistencies, incoherencies or
contradictions in their proffered legitimate reasons for their actions that a reasonable
factfinder could find them unworthy of credence.” Doc. 115 at 35, citing Cooper v.
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Southern Co, 390 F. 3d 695, 725 (11th Cir. 2004)(“[P]laintiff must present ‘sufficient
evidence to demonstrate the existence of a genuine issue of fact as to the truth of each of
the employer's proffered reasons for its challenged action’.”). The EEOC relies on “the
same evidence used to establish the prima facie case.” (Doc. 115 at 36).
The EEOC asserts that Southern Haulers contention that “there were no available
positions at the Brewton Terminal” is unworthy of belief because “it hired, in total, thirtyfour (34) drivers, in close temporal proximity to when Williams and [Kelly] made
employment inquiries.” (Doc. 115 at 36). As stated previously, the evidence of record
demonstrates only that three drivers were hired for the Brewton terminal more than six
months following the last inquiry by Kelly via the telephone. No drivers were hired at the
Brewton terminal in 2009.
The EEOC next argues that, “[m]ore telling [] is that Southern Haulers hired three
(3) white drivers during a time when business was slow at the Brewton terminal.” (Doc.
115 at 36). Although the EEOC contends that the loss of business affecting the Brewton
terminal was irrelevant/immaterial, it argues that it is nonetheless relevant to showing
pretext. The EEOC has failed to explain, however, how the employment of three drivers
to accommodate the acquisition of one new customer in January 2010 makes the
contention that “business [is] slow” an actionable falsity when it is undisputed that
Southern Haulers lost two customers in late 2008 and early 2009 which led to the
decision not to accept any applications or hire any drivers for the Brewton terminal
throughout 2009. The EEOC has proffered no evidence to substantiate its claim that
business was not still “slow” when the three drivers were hired in 2010. Even if Southern
Haulers and Triezenberg could be found to be negligent in somehow failing to anticipate
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the acquisition of a new customer in 2010, such is not evidence of intentional
discrimination.
The EEOC also argues that Triezenberg “intentionally manipulated applicant flow
data for the benefit of white candidates and to the prejudice of Williams and the class by
controlling when or if a person could apply for employment with Southern Haulers.”
(Doc. 115 at 38). The EEOC bases this contention on two grounds. The EEOC first
contends that “Triezenberg testified that he sometimes held on to applications longer
[than 90 days].” (Doc. 115 at 37). However, there is no evidence that any truck driver
was ever hired based on an application received by Triezenberg during a time defendant
was not hiring drivers but held onto for more than ninety days, including Thomas Brown.
See Finding # 11, n. 15, supra.
The EEOC also contends that “[a]nother irregularity in the hiring process includes
Defendant’s use of word of mouth recruitment.” (Doc. 115 at 38), citing Barnett v. W.T.
Grant Co., 518 F.2d 543, 550 (4th Cir. 1975)(“Subjective word-of-mouth hiring methods
are suspect because of their propensity for "masking racial bias….,"). There is no
evidence in this case that any truck driver was hired to work at the Brewton terminal
during 2009 or that a truck driver position was available at any time during 2009. If
Southern Haulers had hired a truck driver for the Brewton terminal in 2009 without
properly advertising the open position, their “word of mouth recruitment” of that new
employee might well be grounds to infer discriminatory intent in failing to hire Williams
or Kelly. As dangerous as the “word of mouth” practice may be, it is not evidence of
pretext in this case.

32

The EEOC’s final argument is relates to purely statistical evidence. The EEOC
specifically alleges that “Defendant’s 2009 EEO-1 report for the Brewton terminal shows
only 1 black and 23 whites, in a labor market that is 31% black” and that “a jury could
infer from these statistics a finding of pretext.” (Doc. 115 at 40). The EEOC has
acknowledged, however, that “the Supreme Court has cautioned ‘that statistics are not
irrefutable; they come in infinite variety and, like any other kind of evidence, they may
be rebutted. In short, their usefulness depends on all the surrounding facts and
circumstances’.” (Doc. 115 at 33, citing Wilkins v. University of Houston, 654 F.2d 388,
395 (5th Cir. 1981)).

The Eleventh Circuit has also expressed its “difficulty with

statistical evidence,” as follows:
One difficulty with statistical evidence is that it may raise more questions than it
answers. This Court reached that conclusion in Wilkins v. University of Houston,
654 F.2d 388 (5th Cir. Unit A 1981). In Wilkins this Court held that “[m]ultiple
regression analysis is a relatively sophisticated means of determining the effects
that any number of different factors have on a particular variable.” Id. at 402-03.
This Court noted that the methodology “is subject to misuse and thus must be
employed with great care.” Id. at 403. Procedurally, when multiple regression is
used “it will be the subject of expert testimony and knowledgeable crossexamination from both sides. In this manner, the validity of the model and the
significance of its results will be fully developed at trial, allowing the trial judge
to make an informed decision as to the probative value of the analysis.” Id.
Having done this, the Wilkins Court, in an employment discrimination case, held
“the statistical evidence associated with the multiple regression analysis is
inconclusive, raising more questions than it answers.” Id.
Even if the statistical evidence is strong there is generally a need for additional
evidence. In Wade v. Mississippi Cooperative Extension Serv., 528 F.2d 508 (5th
Cir.1976), the results drawn from the multi-variate regression analysis were
supported by additional evidence. Id. at 517. In Wade the statistics did not “stand
alone” as the sole proof of discrimination.

McCleskey v. Kemp, 753 F.2d 877, 889 (11th Cir. 1985). Even beyond the
questionable nature of statistics in general, statistical evidence is often deemed relevant
only to class claims alleging a pattern or practice of discrimination. See e.g. Wilkins,
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654 F.2d at 394-95. In addition, the Wilkins Court held that only “where the statistical
showing is sufficiently strong in a disparate treatment action, [can] plaintiffs' prima facie
case [] be made without additional evidence establishing that defendant purposefully
treated minorities protected under Title VII less favorably than other persons.” 654 F.2d
at 395. No such statistical showing has been made in this case. See e.g. Bennett v. Nucor
Corp., 656 F.3d 802, 818 (8th Cir. 2011)( “[A] bare assertion of racial imbalances in the
workforce is not enough to establish a Title VII disparate impact claim. The plaintiffs
must show that the employer ‘uses a particular employment practice that causes a
disparate impact’.”); Medley v. Department of Justice of Louisiana, 425 Fed.Appx. 369,
373 (5th Cir. 2011) (“[I]n the usual case, the statistical analysis at issue should be
evaluated in light of all the evidence presented by the parties as well as in light of the
plaintiff's ultimate burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that she was the
victim of discrimination.”); Turner v. Public Service Co. of Colorado, 563 F.3d 1136,
1147 (10th Cir. 2009)(“[I]n order for statistical evidence to create an inference of
discrimination, the statistics must show a significant disparity and eliminate
nondiscriminatory explanations for the disparity. In other words, a plaintiff's statistical
evidence must focus on eliminating nondiscriminatory explanations for the disparate
treatment by showing disparate treatment between comparable individuals.”); Foxworth
v. Pennsylvania State Police, 228 Fed.Appx. 151, 156 (3rd Cir. 2007)(With respect to a
disparate treatment or impact claim, “it is not enough for a plaintiff to show ‘that there
are statistical disparities in the employer's workforce;’ rather a plaintiff must also prove
causation.”); Burke-Fowler v. Orange County, Fla., 447 F.3d 1319, 1325 (11th Cir. 2006)
(“[H]olding employers liable for statistical imbalances per se is inconsistent with Title
34

VII's plain language and statutory purpose.”)(quoting EEOC v. Joe's Stone Crab, Inc.,
220 F.3d 1263, 1276 (11th Cir.2000)).
In view of the other substantial evidence already discussed in this case concerning
the lack of truck driver positions at the Brewton terminal in 2009, the EEOC’s statistical
proffer, even if taken at face value, is insufficient to support any declaration that Southern
Haulers’ articulated non-discriminatory reason for failing to hire, or even to accept an
application from, either Williams or Kelly in 2009 is pretextual.
CONCLUSION and ORDER38
In accordance with the foregoing, it is ORDERED that Southern Hauler’s motion
for summary judgment is GRANTED. In view of this order, it is FURTHER
ORDERED that the EEOC’s motion for partial summary judgment is hereby DENIED
as MOOT.
As provided in Rule 58 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Judgment shall
be entered by separate document.
DONE this 10th day of April, 2013.
/s/ Katherine P. Nelson
KATHERINE P. NELSON
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

38

It is unnecessary for the Court to address defendant’s claims that Williams has not mitigated his
damages and that Kelly is not entitled to backpay. For the reasons stated above, the Court concludes that
Southern Hauler’s motion for summary judgment is due to be granted.

35