Carrasquillo v. American Airlines, Inc.
Filing
64
ORDER: ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION at 61 GRANTING in part and DENYING in part Plaintiffs' Motion to compel. Plaintiffs to file opposition to Defendant's motion for summary judgment on or before August 15, 2014. Signed by Judge Gustavo A. Gelpi (MET)
1
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF PUERTO RICO
2
3
4
ELIZABETH CARRASQUILLO, et als.,
5
Plaintiffs,
6
v.
7
8
Civil No. 13-1449 (GAG)
AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.,
Defendant.
9
OPINION AND ORDER
10
11
Plaintiffs allege they were wrongfully terminated by American Airlines, Inc. (“Defendant”),
12
in violation of Law 80, Puerto Rico’s wrongful discharge statute. P.R. LAWS ANN. tit, 29 §§ 185a-
13
185m. (Docket No. 1.) Specifically, Plaintiffs argue Defendant violated Law 80's seniority clause
14
because they failed to properly conduct an analysis of Plaintiffs’ seniority, by occupational
15
classification, based on all company employees including Defendant’s offices outside Puerto Rico.
16
(Docket No. 1)
17
On May 30, 2014, Defendant moved for summary judgment and dismissal of Plaintiffs’
18
claims. (Docket Nos. 56 & 57.) In turn, Plaintiffs request the court compel Defendant to produce
19
discovery, that they claim is necessary to oppose Defendant’s motion for summary judgment.
20
(Docket No. 58.) Specifically, they request the court compel Defendant to produce documents
21
relating to its operations and transfer of employees, including those of offices located outside Puerto
22
Rico. Id. On June 25, 2014, Magistrate Judge Marcos Lopez issued a Report and Recommendation
23
(“R&R”) granting in part and denying in part Plaintiffs’ motion to compel. (Docket No. 61) Both
24
parties timely field their oppositions to the R&R. (Docket Nos. 62 & 63.) After careful review, the
25
undersigned ADOPTS the R&R at Docket No. 61 as follows, and GRANTS in part and DENIES
26
in part Plaintiffs’ motion to compel at Docket No. 58.
27
Magistrate Judge Lopez’s R&R suggests two possible courses of action. First, the court
28
could certify the issue to the Puerto Rico Supreme Court. Alternatively, the court could rule on
Civil No. 13-1449 (GAG)
2
1
Plaintiffs’ motion to compel relying on Reyes Sanchez v. Eaton, 2013 PRSC 148 (2013) ( Docket
2
No. 47-1) as precedent, limiting discovery to “information regarding seniority of employees within
3
Puerto Rico and of transfers made within Puerto Rico.” (Docket No. 61 at 5.) The undersigned
4
chooses the latter road.
5
Defendants oppose Plaintiffs’ motion to compel, arguing that Plaintiffs’ request regarding
6
the seniority calculation under Law 80 is without merit, according to a recent opinion issued by the
7
Puerto Rico Supreme Court. In Reyes Sanchez, 2013 PRSC 148 (2013) (Docket No. 47-1), the
8
Puerto Rico Supreme Court discussed the scope of Law 80's seniority calculation and held that the
9
1
provision does not extend to an employer’s overseas operations and transfer of employees. T h e
10
court finds this issue has already been decided by the Puerto Rico Supreme Court, therefore,
11
certification is not necessary. Moreover, the court adopts and incorporates the R&R’s discussion
12
regarding the scope of Law 80's seniority calculation and legislative intent. (See Docket No. 61 at
13
5-7.)
14
15
As recommended by Magistrate Judge Lopez, the court GRANTS in part and DENIES in
part Plaintiffs’ motion to compel. (See Docket No. 61 at 7-10.)
16
SO ORDERED.
17
In San Juan, Puerto Rico this 16th day of July, 2014.
S/Gustavo A. Gelpí
18
19
GUSTAVO A. GELPÍ
20
United States District Judge
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
1
As to the scope of Law 80's seniority calculation the Puerto Rico Supreme Court stated:
As to the transfers alleged which arose from establishments in other jurisdictions,
we believe Article 3 of the Law does not require an analysis of movement of
personnel between the company’s establishments on an intentional level. This
analysis is limited to determining the frequency of transfers of employees between
the company’s establishments in the jurisdiction of Puerto Rico.
Consequently, movement of personnel or transfers from Eaton’s plants in other
jurisdictions is not considered a transfer for purposes of establishing the frequency
of transfers between the company’s establishments in Puerto Rico.
Reyes Sanchez, at 24-25. (Docket No. 47-1 at 25.)
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?