Abernethy v. Donahoe
Filing
46
MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Norman K. Moon on 6/11/2013. (jat)
a pom A l u. ac cœ r
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Arum t nuaq vA
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I THE UNI STATESDI TRI COURT
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TED
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FoR THE W ESTERN D I
STRI OF V I NI
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RGI A
23
1
U C
. ERK
CL
HARRI
SONBURG D I SON
W I
BOBBY R.ABERNETHY,
No.5: 11 +v-30077
Pl nt
ai ff
M EMORANDUM OPI ON
NI
PATRI D ONAHOE,POS ASTER GENERAL,
CK
TM
UNI STATES POSTAL SERVI
TED
CE,
JUDGE NORM AN K . OON
M
De ndan.
fe t
Parc Dona oe (r ee nt',Posma t rGe r loft e Unie Stt sPosalSe vie
tik
h d fnda '
) t se ne a h
t d ae
t rc
(s tlSevie',mo t dimist sbe c ofc ntac a to on rma fom t Fourh
l a r c ' ves o s s hi ra h o r t cin e nd r he
pos
)
t
Cic t l te atr tve,Dee da move fr s
rui. n h lenai
fn nt
s o ummay j gme . No h rng ha be n
r ud nt
eai s e
s he e o D e e nts m o i Fort e f l w i r as ns 1 w ilg a t De e nt s m o i
c duld n f nda ' ton.
h olo ng e o ,
l r n f nda ' ton
f s mmayj gme .
or u r ud nt
1.
BACKGROUND
Bo Abenehy (k antf' fld hi c an i De e r20ll algi t tt
bby r t s i if' ie s omplit n c mbe
pl
)
, le ng ha he
PosalSer ce br
t
vi
eached a d contac ' w ih hi . Specii l Pl ntf alegest tt Pos al
d
pay
r t' t m
fcaly, ai if l
ha he t
Ser ce di notpa hi a s ar m ir i t m axi um sgur on t Pos alCar Executve
vi d
y m al y rorng he
m
e
he t
eer
i
Se vie (
r c PCES)p y s ae fom 200 201 . Pli ifcai t tt s c nsiutd a br a h ofa
a cl r
6- 1 antf l ms ha hi o tt e
ec
pay contact t pr ded hi wih i i t Ssaved grade' and çsaved pay' s at as an
r hat ovi
m t ndefnie d
'
ç
' t us
em pl
oyee w ih t Pos alServi
t he t
ce.
Pl ntf wor f t PosalServi f om 1966 untlhe vol arl r ied i 201l. A s
ai if ked or he t
ce r
i
unt iy etr n
partof a l ger r gani i ef ortw ihi t Pos al Servi i M ar 1993,Pl ntf was
ar
eor zaton f
t n he t
ce, n
ch
ai if
r i
eassgned f om hi posii as a PCES M anager osm aser,bas i Clr
r
s
ton
m t t
ed n a ksbur W V,t t
g,
o he
lwe-e lposton o Ma ge wihi t Exe utveAdmi srtveSc dul ( ,bae i
o rlve ii f na r t n he c i
nitai he e EAS) sd n
Ri hm ond VA .
c
,
Pl i ifw a g a t d i fnie d a d gr de 'a d a d p y' s a us a a r ul oft e
antf s x n e nde i t s ve a ' nd d ve a ' t t s es t hos
s
s
r or ni ton e f t a hi a sgnm e tt a l w e -e lposton. The pa tesa e t ti a ed
e ga za i for s nd s s i
n o o r l ve
ii
ri gr e ha s v
s
g a 'a t av d p y' s a us a l a e pl ee t k p hi o he pr vi us s l r i as i ne
r de' nd d e a ' t t lows n m oy o ee s r r e o a a y f s g d
s
t al
o ower-e poston t twoul ot wie pay a s aler s ar . 1 H ow ever D ef
lvel ii ha
d her s
m l al y
endants at
t es
,
t r si
hat eas gned empl
oyees wih Saved Gr St us Sar notentted t r ses t m i have
t
ade at d e
il o ai hey ght
r eve i te ha rmanedi t i pe ouspostons' Huc s De l !4. l t d,t y
ec i d f h y d e i n her rvi
ii .' theon c.
nsea he
ar onl entted t t r s as at wih t rne poston,Si and when t s ar f t r
e y il o he ai es soci ed t hei w
ii if
he al y or hei
new posii rses above t r Saved Gr St us pa ' I Pl ntf on t ot hand,aleges
ton i
hei
ade at
y.' d ai if, he her
l
t t ht was entted t t s e r s as a EA S m anager t t ht w oul have r ved i hi
ha
il o he am aies
n
ha
d
ecei
n s
pr ousPCES poston,and brngs t s actc t r
evi
ii
i hi im o ecovert dif ence bet een hi s ar as an
he f er
w
s al y
EAS m anagerand t m axi um sal y on t PCES pay s e f t year 2006- 1,as wel
he
m
ar
he
cal or he
s
201
l
asot bonus and r tiem entpay bas on t scal
her
es
er
ed hat e.
l m y pr vi deci on,1 gr ed Def
n
e ous
si
ant
endants m oton t dim is Pl ntf s br
'
i o s s ai if' each of
contact acton ibased on t si pl f t t .. .a f al sat e pr des t ,w ih nar ow
r
i t
he m e act ha
eder t ut ovi hat t
r
exceptons t ar not applcabl her U SPS em pl
i
hat e
i e e,
oyees ser by a nt ent and not by
ve
ppoi m ,
c rc. M e Op.a 4 (une7,201 . TheFourh Cic tva aedt to ni noi t t
onta t' m.
'
t J
2)
t rui c t ha pi on, tng ha
çpl ntfj alge t e e se e a br a h of a c ta tgo m i hi c mpe ai rt r
i ai if le d h xitnc nd e c
g
on r c ve ng s o ns ton, ahe
t a cont actgover ng hi em pl entdur ton.' Aber h v.Donahoe,491 F.App' 388,
han
r
ni
s
oym
ai '
net y
x
lAcc r ng t Plitf s e bi, t a d p ' m e ns t t a empl yee' pa i unc nge e n t gh t
o di o anif xhi t t ve ay ' a ha n
s
o s y s ha d ve hou he
empl e hasbe pl e i a poston wih a l rr t ofpa çs ed gr d 'mea t ta e pl e' gr de i
oye
en ac d n
ii
t owe a e
y. ç av
a e' ns ha n m oye s a s
unc nge e n t gh t empl e has be n pl c i a posto wih a l r gr de. An e o ' çs ed
ha d ve hou he
oye
e a ed n
ii n t owe a
mpl yee s tav
gr e' i te ba i f al p s ne a to a fci ta empl e,icl n m ei e uains pa icrass
ad ' s h ss or I eron l cins fe tng h t
oye n udig rt val to , y n e e ,
p o o i opp t te ,e t bls m e of r t nton s hed e ,ec. See Dock tN os 1 1 a 2,42 4. De e nt
r m ton orunii s s a ih nt e e i c ul s t
e
. 0- t
f nda
r f r t i de i t û a d g a ' a d t a pay'sa us c lc i el asûsa d Gr de St t s' See De a a i of
e e s o n fnie t ve r de' n ç ved ' t t ole tv y ç ve a
s
s
a u .'
clr ton
No maB.Huc on!3( e No. 1.
r
thes
Dock t 39- )
38 ( h Ci.201 . Asa rs t t c tc ncl e Eitdoe no ne esaiy f l t t
9 4t r 2)
eul, he our o ud d, t l s t c srl olow ha
g
b c us ( antflc dha be n tr nae a a tme t Dee n as ha t rg t
e a e Pli if oul ve e emi td t ny i , he fnda t lo d he iht o
atrhi c
le s ompe aini,a ( antfjalge ,h r wa avai c tac ont tpoi . 1
nsto f s Pli if le s te e s ld onr t ha nt' 4
'
Dee n now mo f dimisl ori t alenai ,s mmayj
fnda t
ves or s sa, n he tr tve u r udgme t on fur
n, o
go n s ()Plitf' b e c o c nr c cam fisfrlc o s be tmatr u idcin; 2
r u d : 1 anifs ra h f o ta t li al o a k f u jc te j rs ito ( )
Pl nif f l t saea cam frbra h ofc tatbe a e h sr e by a nme t ()
aitf ais o tt li o e c
onr c c us e e v d
ppoit n; 3
Pl ntf f l t pl s fci f st esabls t el e sofa br
ai if ais o ead uf ent act o t i h he em nt
each ofcont tcl m ;and
rac ai
( Plitf' cam i bar bytesaut oflmiai .
4) anifs li s red h tt e i ttons
Il
.
LEGAL STANDARDS
A. M oti t Di m is
on o s s
1 La k ofSubic M atrJ iditon
. ç
e t te urs ci
Fe r Rul ofCi lPrce ur l b)l prvi sfrt dimis lo a aton i t
deal e
vi o d e 2( ( ) o de o he s sa f n ci f he
co tlc s jc matrj iditon.Fed. Ci P.l ( () A c tc i rngamoint
ur a ks ube t te urs ci
R. v. 2b)1. our onsdei
to o
dimispurua tt Rul l b ()mus a c pta tue almaeilf t lalgai i t
s s s n o e 2()1
t c e s r l tra acua le tons n he
c pl i ,a m us c t u t c pl i i f vo oft pl i if Ada v Bai 691 F. d
om a nt nd
t ons r e he om a nt n a r he a ntf .
ms . n,
2
1 3,1 9 ( h Ci.1 2) Howe r wh c iei a c le e t t fcua ba i f
21 21 4t r 98 .
ve, en onsd rng halng o he a t l ss or
s be t te j rs ito ,t eb re o p o n s be tmatrj rs ito i o teplitf.
u j c matr u idcin dh ud n f rvig u jc te u idcin s n h anif'
t
'
Rihmon4 Fr d ik bur & PotmacR. Co v.US.9 F. 7 7 (t Ci.1 91.
c
e erc s g
o
R. .
, 45 2d 65, 68 4h r 9 )
Whehe ac r rt nss j c matrj iditono ra a to i a is t tc n be
t r out eai ube t te urs ci ve n cin s n sue ha a
ried a a tme Unie St e v Be ly,495 F. 1 l (t Ci.20 . Eve whe
as t ny i . td ats . ase
3d 42, 47 4h r 07)
n n
ot ris esaerie ç sinso s jc matrj rs ci mus bede i d tis,be a e
he su r asd,d to f ube t te u iditon t
que
cde frt c us
t concer t cour ' ver pow ert hea t cas '' Owens-li s I v.M eade,186 F.
hey
n he
ts y
o r he e.'
llnoi, nc.
3d
435 44 n. (t Ci.l )(iainomitd .I a a ytmeac ur deemi st tii wihou
, 2 4 4h r 999 ctto
te ) f t n i
o t tr ne ha ts t t
s jc matr u idito imus dimist a ton.Fe R. v. 1 h)3)
ube t te j rs cin,t t s s he ci
d. Ci P. 2( ( .
Faiur t St ç a Cl m
l e o at
ai
A moi t dimis unde Fe rlRul o Ci lPr e ur 1 b)6 tsst l al
ton o s s
r dea
e f vi oc d e 2( () et he eg
s fi e ofac mplit l ode t s vi amoi t dimispurua t Rul l b)6) a
ufcincy
o an. n r r o ur ve
ton o s s s nt o e 2( ( ,
com pl ntm us cont n f ssufi enttt r s a rghtt r i above t specul i l vel'and
ai
t
ai act fci io aie i o elef
he
atve e '
S t t a c a m t r le t ti pl us bl o is f c ' Be lAt.Cor v.T
k a t l i o e i f ha s a i e n t a e.
s
' l l p. wom bl ,5 U . 5
y 50 S. 44,
555,57 ( ) A cli i plusbl i t c antc ti Sa t lc tntt talo t
0 2007 . am s a i e f he ompli onans d cua one ha lws he
f
cour t dr t r onabl i er
t o aw he eas
e nf ence t t def
hat he endanti labl f t m i conduc aleged,'
s i e or he s
t l
'
a i t r i S et nas e posi lt ta adee n ha atdunlwf l ' As rjtv
nd f hee s s
mor ha he r sbiiy h t fnda t s ce a uly. hc o .
'
I ,55 U. 66 678( ) W he c i rngaRul 1 b)6 moto ac ur mus a c pt
qbal 6 S. 2, 2009 . n onsdei
e 2( () in, o t t c e
a1 f ualalega i i t com pl nt astue,and m us dr a1 r
l act
l tons n he
ai
r
t aw l easonabl i r
e nfe ences i f
n avor
oft pli if Erck on v Par s 551 U. 8 9 ( 07) l pariulr a p o s c mpli
he antf . i s . du ,
S. 9s 4 20 . n tc a , r e o ant
m us be Iber l consr and Ehel t l srngents andar t n f m alpl ngsdr t by
t i aly
tued
d d o ess ti
t
ds ha or
eadi
afed
lwye s' 1 ( ttonom itd)
a r . d ciai
'
te .
B. M ot on f Sum m ary Judgm ent
i or
Summayj me un rRul 5 o t Fe rlRulsofCi lPr e r soul b
r udg nt de
e 6 f he dea e
vi oc du e h d e
gr ed i t pl ngs,t dicover and di cl ur m a eral on fl a any af i t show
ant f he eadi
he s
y
s os e t i s
ie, nd
fdavis
t t'heei nog nui diput a t a maeilfc a t mo nti e ildt j me a
ha d r s e ne s e s o ny tra at nd he va s ntte o udg nt s
t
amatroflw.' Fe R.Ci P.5 a's alo Ceotx Cor v CJ/e/ 477 U. 31 3
te
a ' d.
v. 6() ee s l e
,
p. . r /,
S. 7, 22
(986) ( t maeilt ...r nl dipue ov fcst tmihtafe tt ouc meoft s t
1 . ( o traiy ol y s ts er a t ha g fc he to
As
he ui
u rt go r ng lw wilpr pe l p e ud t e e r ofs
nde he ve ni a l o ry r cl e h nty umma yj
r udgme . An r on v
nt' de s .
'
fi ryLobb l .477U. 24 248(986.I t e ie eofage i is o maeilf t
be t
y, nc,
S. 2,
1 ) fhe vd nc
nune sue f tra ac
%i meeyc orbl ori notsg fca l pr tve s
ds rl ol a e s inii nty obai , ummayj me ma begrne ' 1 a
r udg nt y
a td. d. t
'
24950.
Whe co i rng amoi frs
n nsdei
ton o ummayj me ,ac r mus viw t rc d a a
r udg nt ou t t e he e or s
whol a d a alr as bl i een si t Ig m os f vor bl t t no movig pa t
e nd r w l e ona e nf r ce n he iht t a a e o he nn ry.
Re v s v Sand ron Pl n Pr s,I . 530 U. 1 , 1 0 ( ) The pat s e ng
ee .
es
umbig od nc,
S. 33 5 2000 .
ry e ki
s
ummayj
r udgme tb ar t bude o s ng a a e e ofe de e t s por t n
n e s he r n f howi n bsnc
vi nc o up t he onm ovi pary' cas Cel ex,477 U . a 325. l t m ovi pary sufi e l s
ng t s e.
ot
S. t
f he
ng t
fcinty upport is
st
moton f s
i or ummayj me ,t bude s fst t no movi pa t t stfrh secfc
r udg nt he r n hit o he n- ng ry o e o t p ii
fcsil tai ge uieis sfrti .Emmetv John on,53 F. 291 29 ( h Ci.2 )
a t lusrtng n n sue o ral
t . s
2 3d , 7 4t r 008
( t ton omitd . Ont e is f whih t non- ngpa t ha t bur e ofpr f i i
cia i
te )
hos sues or c he movi ry s he d n
oo , t s
hi o h rrs i lt t o et moton f s
s r e eponsbiiy o ppos he i or ummayj me wih afda t o ohe
r udg nt t fi vis r t r
a si ee de es ciidi t r l Fe R. v. 5 c;Mic l v Dat Ge Cor ,1
dmisbl vi nc pe fe n he ue. d. Ci P. 6() thel . a n. p. 2
F.d 1 0,1 5-1 (t Ci.1 )
3 31 31 6 4h r 993 .
The cour ' r e i t det m i whet t e i a genui is based upon t f s and
ts ol s o er ne
her her s
ne s ue
he act ,
tnot ...wei t evi
d
gh he dence and det r i t t h oft m ater.' Ander
e m ne he rut
he
t '
son,477 U . at249.
S.
However t t i court has a Saf im atve oblgaton' t ipr
, he ral
n d fr i
i i ' o d event Sact l uns
f ualy
upport
ed
cl m sand def es'f om pr
ai
ens r
oceedi t t i .' Fely v Gr es- umphre Co. 818 F. l1
ng o ral'
t . av H
ys ,
2d 26,
11 ( hCi.1 7)( tngCeotx, U. a 323 ) Att s
28 4t r 98 quoi l e 477 S. t -24 . he ummayj me sa ,h
r udg nt tge te
nonm ovi pary m us come f war w ih m or t dt er s
ng t
t
or d t
e han çm e pecul i or t buidi of one
aton he l ng
i er
nf ence upon anot ' t r s dim i aloft acton. Ot ec Lt v.Phel 526 F. 135,
her'' o esit s ss
he i
hent d.
an,
3d
1 ( h Ci.2008 ( otng Beae v Hary,7 F. 21 21 (t Ci.1 5 se alo
40 4t r
) qu i
l . d 69 2d 3, 4 4h r 98 :; e s
Fr i v Boo ,Ale t Hamit n,I . 452 F. 299 3 ( t Ci.200 (ç e e u u re
ancs . z ln o
lo nc,
3d , 08 4 h r 6) G r ns ppo td
M
s c ai i nots fce t deea a s
pe ulton s
ufiint o f t ummayj me moin i t un s e e d nc
r udg nt to f he diputd vie e
i c t t tt ohe pat s dwi a amatroflw.)
ndiaes ha he t r ry houl n s te a '.
'
A ga tofs
rn ummayj me ti rviwe d n d a ngra o bl ifrnc si t
r udg n s e e d e ovo, rwi e s na e nee e n he
lghtm os f abl t t nonm ovi pary. Webst v.
i
t avor e o he
ng t
er
US De 'o i.6 5F.d4 1 4 l
. p tfAgrc, 8 3 1 , 2
(t Ci. 2) Therviwi c twiluph dt dititc ur' g a ofs
4h r 201 .
e e ng our l ol he src o ts rnt ummayj
r udgme t
n
u es i fn t ta r s bl j y c d rt n ave ditf t no movi pat o t
nls t ids ha eaona e ur oul eur
r c or he n- ng ry n he
e de cepr e td.Se EEOC v.Ce .Whols es I .57 F. 1 7,1 4- (t Ci. 9)
vi n esne e
nt
e alr,nc, 3 3d 6 7 75 4h r 200 .
11
1.
DI
SCUSSI
ON
A. M oton t D im i
i o s ss
1 Subic M atrJ rs ci
.
e t te u iditon
Def
endant begi is m em or
ns t
andum by cont ng t t Contact Di put Act
endi hat he
r
s es
($ ' prcude t s Co tfo he rng c nta ta to a ai tte Posa Se vc
çCDA' e l s hi ur rm ai o rc cins g ns h
)
tl r ie.
ge alt m s,t CDA applest any dexpr sori pled cont act'ent ed i o by an executve
ner er he
i o
d es
m i
r ' er nt
i
agency oft f algover entf t pr em entofpr
he eder
nm
or he ocur
opert s ces,orconsruc i 41
y, ervi
t ton.
U. C.j 71 a .Se alo Unie Fe r Le ig,l .v US. 33F.App' 67 674 ( t Ci.
S.
02() e s
td de al asn nc . ,
x 2,
4h r
200 (ç'e CDA pr vi sf rl alr o s ag i tt g r m e f dipu e a ii fom
2) if
-h
o de o eg ec ure ans he ove n nt or s t s rsng r
t prc e ntofprpe t a s r ce by t fdea g rme .) Dititc t d no
he o urme
o ry nd evi s he e rl oven nt' . src ours o t
'
ha s jc matrj iditon o rcamsfli wihi t sopeoft CDA,a a CDA
ve ube t te urs ci ve li alng t n he c
he
nd
cl m antm ay seek r i onl t ough appeal t t a opra e agency or by flng s ti t
ai
elef y hr
s o he ppr it
i ui n he
Co t Fe rlCli .Se 41U. C.j71 4()1.
ur of dea ams e
S.
0 b ()
Because t pari agree t tPl ntf wasan e pl
he tes
ha ai if
m oyee oft Pos alSe ce,r hert
he t rvi at han
a cont act pr di s ces t CDA does notappl I Unied St es n J & E Sal
r or ovi ng ervi , he
y. n
t
at
vage Co.
,
55F.d 985(t Ci.1 ,whih Dee n cts t Fo t Cicutc iee a atonby
3
4h r 995) c fnda t ie ,he urh r i onsd rd n ci
6
t gover ent agai t a contact t r
he
nm
ns
r or o ecover pr t t w as m it
opery hat
s akenl t nsf r i a
y ra ered n
contact f s e. 1 at 987. D es i ng t CDA as ia com pr
r or al d.
crbi he
E
ehensve s a ut y s
i t t or chem e f
or
r ol ng cont ac ualconfi sbet ee t Unied St t and govem m entcontact s,' t court
es vi
r t
lct w n he t
a es
r or ' he
he d t t t go r m e co d no c r um ve t t pr e r of t CD A by r c s i is
l ha he ve n nt ul t ic
n he oc du es
he
e a tng t
c r c cli i t tlngua . 1 .a 987 8 S alo Unie Kigdom &/l/ ?fDee c v
onta t ams n or a ge d t - 8. ee s
td n
.?'r o f n e .
f; y
J
.
Trmbl NavgatonLt , F. 1 ( hCi. )Cf- r i n lng gei scin 6 (
i e i i d.422 3d 65 4t r 2005 -hee s o a ua n e to 05 of
l
teCDA,no s ton71 e ani h camsbys oneoh rt nt Govenme ora
h
w eci 03) xpli ng ow li
ome te ha he
r nt
c rcorc n be p o esed und rt CDA.'. 1 a 1 2 Agan,i t sc s t r i no
onta t a
rc s
e he
' d t 69.
)
i n hi ae, hee s
a lga i n t t Pl n if w a e a c tac or durng t c ur e of hi n ry fve de d s of
le to ha ai tf s ver on r t
i he o s
s ea l i
ca e
em pl e w ih t Pos alServi
oym nt t he t
ce.
The D . dit i cour il tat t s ditncton i Pet B.v. U S. 579 F.Supp.2d 78
C. srct
t lusr ed hi s i i n er
,
( D. 20 ,i whihaf me C1 a nts dt go r ntund t Fe rlTotCl ms
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e n s ot s he r r ui' s s i
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r
6 7F.d2 8(dCi. 0l )t s p o tt moint ds s o sbetmatr uidcingo n s S eï a 2 6
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s
o
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Howe r An el Cr sng f a u e a r ale t t de el pl ntf a l gi t tt Posa Set c br a d a
ve , s ma os i e t r d e sa e v oper ai if le ng ha he t l vie e che n
or c t a tt I s a p tof i buidi t tpl i tf wa p a ng t c t u t 1 .a 239. Thus t diput i
al on r c o ea e os fce l ng ha a n if s l nni o onsr c . d t
, he s e n
An ema Cr s ig wa c v r db 41U. C. 7l 2 a, ihsae t a t eCDA a pi s o a ye p e so i l d
sl
o sn s o e e y
S. j 0 () wh c tt s h t h
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e
7
Uli tl t cae t tDee n cts i s ppor ofisRul 1 b)6 ag ntfr
tmaey, he s ha fnda t ie n u t t e 2( () rume o
dim i s ,O ' ealv.Donahoe,802 F.Supp. 2d709( D. . 1, kesicea t tac t
s s al N
E. Va 201 ) ma t l r ha our
ha s j c matrj iditont h a abe c ofc ta tcam bough by af me e oye
s ube t te urs ci o e r ra h onrc li r t
or r mpl e
ag ns t Pos alSe vi e i t scicui u rt Posa Re g z ton Ac , 3 U. C. 40 a,
ai t he t
r c n hi r t nde he t l or ani a i
t 9 S. j 9()
w hi pr de t a d he Unie S a e dit i t c r s s l ha o i i bu n e l i
ch ovi s h t d
t
t d t t s src ou t ha l ve r g nal t ot xc usve
j rs ci ove a1atonsbrug by oragans t Po tlSevc . 1 a 71 1 Se alo
u iditon r l ci
o ht
i t he sa rie' d. t 2-3. e s
'
Gr am v Fr nk,88 F. l 8,1 W L 1
ah . a
4 2d 38 989
00668 a * ( h Ci.1 )( bls d pe
, t 2 4t r 989 unpu ihe r
c im tbl de son)(fimi t tt dititc tha s j c matrj iditonp s ntt
ura a e cii afr ng ha he src our d ubet te urs ci urua o
39U. C.5409( ove a e oye ' cai t tt Posa Se vc bra he hi c ta tf
S.
a) r n mpl es l m ha he tl r ie e c d s onrc or
e oy nt.
mpl me )
2. Faiur t St e a ( l nx
l e o at zai
D e e nta s c nt n t tPl i tf f l t s a e a c a m f rbr a h ofc nta tb c us ,
f nda l o o e ds ha a n if ais o t t l i o e c
o rc e a e
asa PosalServi em pl
t
ce
oyee,he s
erved by a nt entr hert n em pl entcont act As i
ppoi m
at ha
oym
r .
n
isfrtmoi t dimis Dee n quoe O 'e v Dona ,8 F.Su 2d70 ( D.Va.
t is ton o s s, fnda t ts N al .
hoe 02
pp.
9 E.
2 l,i s r ofasrihtor r a plc tonof3 U. C. l ()
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9 S. j 001a :
Be a e g9 U. C.j 1 01 s cGes t tPotle oye s ae a ntd a not
c us 3 S.
0 ) pe i ha sa mpl e r ppoi e nd
em pl
oyed by contact Pl ntf scl m t tt PosalServi breached hi em pl e
r , ai if' ai ha he t
ce
s
oym nt
c r c i ne es a iy wihout m e i. Thi c l i i c i t nt w ih s ve a pror
onta t s c s r l t
rt
s onc uson s onss e
t e rl i
deci ons hol ng t t e i no em pl e contac t can f m t bas s f a
si
di hat her s
oym nt
r t hat
or he i or
Posalem pl
t
oyee' br
s each ofcontac ac i agai t Pos alSe ce.
r t ton
nst he t rvi
1 at71 Def
d
4. endantcont nds t Pl ntf s alegaton t t Pos alSer ce br
e
hat ai if' l i hat he t
vi
eached a tpay
i
contact' asoppos t a contactgover ng hi em pl entdur i doesnotalert Eas er
r y'
ed o
r
ni s
oym
aton,
t he t n
c tac enerd it by a e cui a nc f t pr r men ofpr ry,sr ies c tucin,rpar o t
onr t t e no
n xe tve ge y or he ocu e t
ope t e vc , onsr to e i, r he
dip a of p s alpr ry. I a 24 As dic s d a ve,Pl i if i t s c e i a f mer Pos a Se vi
s os l er on ope t d. t 0.
s us e bo
antf n hi as s or
t l r ce
empl ,nota g e nme c r c o . The Thid Cic t sdicus i doe notap y t t sca e a Pl n ips
oyee
ov r nt onta t r
r r ui' s son s
pl o hi s , nd aitf
c am sdo no f l un rt e CD A.
li
t a l de h
8
D it i ' anal i ,as t PosalServi never ent ed i o any t ofcontactw ih Pl ntf
s rct s
ys s
he
t
ce
er nt
ype
r
t ai if
pay orem pl ent f t s fc r on t he s
oym - or he pecii eas hat erved by appoi m ent
nt
.
Pl ntf diput t s poi . W hie agr ng t Pos alSer ce em pl
ai if s es hi nt
l eei hat t
vi
oyeesar appoi ed
e
nt
t postons a c di t Pli if Sther aea lat6difrn pa c tacst t1c nt nk
o ii , c or ng o antf,d j e r t e s fee t y onr t ha a hi
l
o t a c v rp y frt emaoiyo P sa e ly e . Plit fa srsta h sd a c nrc
f h t o e a o h j r f o tl mpo e s' an i set h t i d y o ta t
t
'
f
p
pr di g m)wih Sa dGrdesa dSaaywasa redt mo hsbeor ( qwa a oi e
ovi ng hi t ve a / ve lr
ge o nt f e he s pp ntd
tt l
o he owerl M anagerposii ' P1' Second Res t D .s M ot t D im is 3.
evel
ton.' .s
p. o '
.o s s
Pl ntf hasnots il any docum entt r em bl a se at ( contact' whi
ai if
ubm ted
hat es
es par e s
pay
r ,' ch,
agai Def
n, endantcont
ends doesnotexit However i hi com pl nt Pl ntf notonl aleges
s.
,n s
ai , ai if
y l
t exit nce of a Spay cont ac ,'butal des i t aleged br
he s e
t
r t'
so crbes he l
each ofoblgaton i t scas
i i n hi e:
tl t of bei pai i t PCES s
cns ead
ng d n he
chedul as t Pos alServi has pr ied and defned i
e he t
ce
om s
i
n
t r saved gr sa
hei
ade/ ved pay r atons,t have pai m e i t l
egul i
hey
d
n he ower EA S posii l w as
ton
plc d i ' Compl ! 3.Plitf as d t ist dif r nc i s lr t thei al e y owe a
a e n.
'
.
an if lo e al he fe e e n aa y ha s leg dl
ds
da a es i t s c e 1 As a r ul,1 fnd t t t s c s i be t r ol d unde t l ga
m g n hi as . d.
es t i ha hi a e s s es ve
r he e l
sand r f s
t ad or ummayj me .
r udg nt
B. M oton f Sum m ary Judgm ent
i or
Pl i tf ' c pl i ca be dim is d a a m a t r ofl w .A ga n,Pl i ifc e t a ,
a n if s om a nt n
s se s
te
a
i a ntf ont nds h t
des t hi poston as an EA S m anager he was owed t m axi um s ar on t PCES s e
pie s ii
,
he
m
al y
he
cal
bet
ween 2006- 11 due t hi sat as a Saved Gr e pl
20
o s t us
ade m oyee. However N or a Hut on,
, m
ches
t Deput M anagi Counsel i t Pos al Servi s Capial M eto Law Of i s a es i
he
y
ng
n he
t
ce'
t
r
fce, t t n
une voc tr t tSl hiee oye swihSa dGrdeStt d notseade ras i pa
qui alems ha,Ewl l mpl e t ve a aus o
e
ce e n y
g pon r as inme l t y a e n e ild t f ur r s st ey mi htha r c i d i t e ha
u
e sg nt, he r ot ntte o ut e aie h
g
ve e eve f h y d
rm ane i t i pr vi posto . Huthe on De .! 4. No o t e bist tPlitf
e i d n her e ous iins' c s
'
cl
ne f he xhi t ha an if
9
s it contadi s M s.H ut on' ass i s t t t cr t a genui di put of
ubm ted
r ct
ches s erton, uch ha hey ea e
ne s e
m a eralf .4
t i act
l s
n upport of hi br h of cont act cl m , Pl ntf has s it am ong ot
s eac
r
ai
ai if
ubm ted,
her
docum ent a page f om t Pos al Ser ce Em pl
s,
r he t
vi
oyee Labor Rel i ha
atons ndbook defni t
i ng he
tr çsve grd ' a Ea d s lr '( ke No.l 1 a 1,aj n sae n fo te
ems ça d a e' nd l ve aay' Doc t
s
0- t ) oit ttme t rm h
pr dent of t N atonalA s a i ofPosal Supe sor defni ds
esi
he i
sociton
t
rvi s
ng saved gr 'a dsaved
ade' nd ç
pa 'Doc tNos 1 1a 2, 4)a aph oc pidd clrtonfom t Posa Se vcesVie
y'( ke . 0- t 42- , nd ot o e e aai r he tl r i ' c
Pr dentf LaborRel i t tdesc i ,i par,t ef ectofSsaved gr 'a çs
esi
or
atons ha
r bes n t he f
s
ade' nd taved pay'
'
sausf e oye safce byt Posa Se vc srsr t i ef t ( c tNos 1 1a 4,
tt or mpl e fe td he tl r ie' e tucurng fors Do ke . 0- t
42- .Ac or ngt Plitf,heetr ed ume sde lr,fgl smpl tr ,lwa pr mie
5) c di o anift s h e oc nt cae tin i e ems s o sd
myPCESslr a be ft nomatrwhaj lwa asgne t i fniel ' P1' Fis Res
aay nd neis
te t ob s si d o ndei t y. .s rt p.
'
t D .sM ot t Dim i 2.
o '
. o s ss
The PosalSer ce' Em pl
t
vi s
oyee ha
ndbook and t sat enti ued by t pr dentoft
he t em
ss
he esi
he
N atonalA s aton ofPos alSuper s sbot sat t an em pl
i
soci i
t
vior h t e hat
oyee assgned t a l
i
o owergr
ade
i t ea ed as bei i t hi
sr t
ng n he gher gr f pay i eas and beneftpum os durng t s
ade or
ncr es
i
es i he aved
gr perod. See DocketN os. 10- at 1- 42- See alo su a not l. Atachm ent 1 t
ade i
1
2, 4.
s pr
e
t
o
Pl ntf ' Aprl3,201 r pons si iary desnesSSaved Gr 't m ea t an em pl
ai if s i
3 es e m l l
'
ade' o
n hat
oyee wil
l
(contnue t be pai att gr you f m ery hel ...s em ent by gener i eas and
t i o
d he ade
or l
d
uppl
ed
al ncr es
pr i pay ....' See DocketN o.42-1. The declra i f om M r.M ahon J alo sat t
em um
'
a ton r
r. s t es hat
t çs
he ûaved gr i t em pl
ade s hat
oyee' gr f eve y pur e i udi com pens i ' and
s ade or r
pos ncl ng
aton,'
4tf e me e e se e ofs m e alg f cua diput b we t pm i wiln d e ta ot r s pr ry
ç'
-h
r xitnc
o
le ed a t l s e et en he
es l ot efa n he wie ope l
sp o tdmoinfrsmmayjd me t'Mertv O/ Do no Fr ih Lie Ic, 01F.d2 9 3 0(t Ci.
u p re t o u r u g n. ri . # miin eg t n ,n .6 3 8 , 0 4h r
o
'
t
2 1 )(u tn An es n v Liet Lo b Ic,4 7 U..2 2,2 74 ,16 S.Ct 2 0 (9 6) A moin fr
0 0 q oig d ro . b ry by, n . 7 S 4 4 -8 0
. 5 5 1 s ).
to o
s mmayj d me tc n b d fae o y i çh ds ue a o tamae il a t st e un , ta i,i t ee ie c i
u r u g n a e ee td nl f ç e ip t b u
t
tra fc i g n ie 'h t s f h v d n e s
s c ta ar a o a ej r c ul rtr av r itf rt en n v n p ry' An e s n 4 7 U. . t2 2 1 6 S Ct
u h h t e s n bl u y o d eu n e dc o h o mo i g a t. d r o , 7 S a 4 , 0 . .
'
25
05.
1
0
'PCES executves who w er pl
C
i
e aced i EA S posii wil contnue t r ve t r PCES
n
tons l
i
o ecei hei
beneft i i t y.' See DocketN os.1 at4-5,42is ndefniel '
0-1
5.
D tf ntconfr td t Pl ntf r ved (i i t s
tnda
im hat ai if ecei dndefnie avtd gr and pay s at ' upon
ade
t us'
hi r si ent whi D ef
s eas gnm , ch
endant r er t colec i y as Ssave Gr St t ' Def
ef s o l tvel
i d ade a us.'
endant
al confr ed t em pl
so
im
hat
oyees wih Saved Gr St t do not s a decr
t
ade a us
ee
ease i pay upon
n
r si ent a a e entted t r ve f ur r s i and when t s ar f t r new
eas gnm , nd r
il o ecei ut e aies f
he al y or hei
postonsrssa et i Sa dGrdeStt pa Huc onDe .!4.Pli ifss aywa
ii ie bov her ve a aus y. thes
cl
antf' alr s
notr
educed f l i hi r si entf om t PCES poston t EA S m anager a Pl ntf
olow ng s eas gnm
r he
ii o
, nd ai if
de aie t S e r i r a e ' he r c i d be w e n 20 2011 as a EAS m a g r i hi
t l d he k ne al nc e s s'
g
e e ve
t e
06n
na e n s
com pl nt Se Co .( 5
ai . e mpl !3.
Pl ntf al atached a Notfcaton of Per onnel Acton t hi se
ai if so t
ii i
s
i o s cond r ponse t
es
o
Def
endants m oton,see DocketN o.42- w hi confr s t Pl ntf w as guar nt Saved
'
i
6, ch
im hat ai if
a eed
Gr / ved Sal s at and t the w oul r ve hi PCES beneft f an i i t perod.
ade sa
ary t us,
ha
d ecei s
is or ndefnie i
l a rn rf e e t ta Notfc ton,Pli ifas t t t(lj Posa S r iepai mei
n ppae t eernc o h t iiai
antf sers ha çthe tl e vc d
n
t l
he ower EA S pay s
chedul f t l
e or he ower poston i t of t Saved Gr sal y of t
ii ns ead
he
ade ar
he
f m er PCES-I posii as t agr t i t contact' P1' Second Res t D.s M ot t
or
ton
hey eed o n he
r .' .s
p. o '
.o
D im i 4.
s ss
Pl i ifi a a e l c t u ng t s doc m e s a i pa tc l rt tN otfc to of
a ntf s pp r nty ons r i he e u nt , nd n ri u a ha
ii a i n
Pe sonnelA cton,as t se r e çpay cont t't t Pos alSer ce breached i t s cas l
r
i
he pa at t
rac ' hat he t
vi
n hi e. n
r iy, however Pl ntf has not subm it any s t of s r e enf ceabl cont ac- pay,
ealt
, ai if
ted
or
epa at
or
e
r t
e pl m e t or o h r s . N or d t es doc e s i c t t t Pl i if was owe t
m oy n ,
t e wi e
o h e
um nt ndi a e ha a ntf
d he
m axi um fgur on t PCES s a y scal f t year 2006- 1, or contadi M s.
m
i e
he
al r
e or he
s
201
r ct
5w hiePl ntf di noti udea pa deal fo 1 3l ai if d
ncl ny y tis r m 99 2006,hepr um a y r eve ge trls lr i ras
es bl ec i d n a aay nce es
d i t e y r aswel.
urng hos ea s
l
11
Hut h on' a s ri t te pl ye w ih Sa d G r de St t a e no t il d t t e c s m e
c es s s e t ha m o es t ve
on
a
a us r t ntte o he xa , a
t
r sest m i have r ved had t r ai i t rpr vi posii .
ai hey ght
ecei
hey em ned n hei e ous ton
Cong es ha pr vi d a m e hod f a r e
r s s o dt
t
or gg ived Po t l Se v c e pl e s e ng t
s a r i e m oye s e ki o
r edy t t ofem pl ent gr e
em
he ype
oym
i vance i t s cas See O ' eal 802 F.Supp. 2d at715;5
n hi e.
N ,
U. C.j751 3) ( . I fc,Pli ifutl d t e a mi srtve pr e e b flngt
S.
24 , 4) n at antf ii hos d nitai oc durs y ii wo
ze
prvi a tons rgadi hi pa wih t Mei tms Pr e ton Boad (I
e ous ci e r ng s y t he rtSyse
otci
r S
MSPB' i
' n
)
Aug t20 a Fe uay 200 i whih hecame t taJ 2003pa aj t n f hi
us 03 nd br r
4, n c
li d ha une
y dusme t or s
EASj wa efci l ade to fo hi prvi PCESpa lve.Se Doo tNo.395.
ob s fe tvey moin rm s t ous
y e l e kt
Bot cl m s,al w ih t s
h ai
ong t he even ot adm i statve com pl nt Pl ntf fl bet een 2003
her
ni r i
ai s ai if ied w
a d201 ,we eet rdimisdo wihda Se Huthes De l!9 1 Pl nifnow sae
n
0 r ihe s se r t rwn. e c on c. - 0. aitf
tts
t thewatduntla trhi rtrme ti 2011t tl t sa ton,( c us ( )di notwa tt
ha
ie i fe s eie n n
o 5e hi ci C a e he d
be
n o
de w ih M SPB a i ' Pl' Fis Re p.t D .s M o .t Dim is 4. H o e r as i O ' e l
al t
ga n. .s r t s o '
'
t o s s
w ve , n N a ,
Pli if hee ma not ( ic nt t o c me of t e (dmi srtve pr e di by
antf r y
d rumve he uto
c
hos a nitai j oc e ngs
r tng hi em pl entgrivance as a br
ecas i
s
oym
e
each ofcontactcl m .' O ' eal 802 F.Supp.2d at
r
ai ' N ,
Atbotom ,w hie Pl ntf alegest t PosalSer ce breached a û cont act' r t
t
l ai if l
hat he t
vi
d
pay
r ' a her
t a iempl entcont act' t Eas er Dit i ' di cus on i O ' ealr ai a i bl t
han n t oym
r ' he t n s rcts s si n N
em ns pplca e o
6 Fort sr as , Plitf' cam c d bedimis d a un i y.U n V igi alw,hesaut oflm iainsf
hi e on anifs li oul
s se s tmel
der r ni a t tt e i tto or
c ta tcamsi fveyeasf c ta t i wrtng a t eeye r f or lc tacs Va.CodeAnn.j 2. onr c li s i
r or onrcs n ii , nd hr a s or a onr t.
0146.
Th pe i r fom t daeofb e c a nottedaet tt rs tngda gei dic r I j8. - l
e rod uns r he t r a h, nd h t ha he e uli ma s soveed. d 01230. n
rs ns ,Pl ntf cies te ûc tnui cl m ' d ti ,whi f rl cams c urs h e ap id çwhen t
e po e ai if t h toni ng ai ' ocrne
ch edea li o t av ple ç
he
g v rme t we ac niun d t t tepanif .. ju hta)e c t teg v r me tbec e ted t,a
o en n o s o tn ig uy o h litfs .s c h t ah i h o en n ra h s h uy
me
n w c ue o at n aie. Boig v Untd Sae,2 0 F.d 1 6 ,1 7 ( d Ci.2 0 ) Ho v r th
e a s f ci rss' l . i tts 2 3 3 5 3 3 Fe . r 0 0 . we e, ç e
o
' n
e
t
çon i ng cl m 'docrne d n a y whe Cong e s ha çelbeael gi n a a i srtve body te
c tnui ai
ti oes ot ppl
n
r s s d i rt y ve n dm nitai
h
f ci ofde di al orp tofte cama ' e ilment' Carigtn Gar en As oc .v.U < ,4 F.App'
un ton
ci ng l ar h li nts ntte
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4 7 4 l(t Ci. 0 2)(u t g F id nv UntdStts 1 9Ct Cl 1 3 0 F2 3 , 8 ( 9 2 Ag i ,h s
2 , 3 4h r 2 0 q o i re ma . i ae , 5 . . , 1 .d s1 3 5 1 6 :. an t i
n
e
i a aci b ou unde 39U. C.j409() pr ry i fde a dititc r,a Vigni ssaueoflmiai
s n ton r ght r
S.
a, ope l n e r l src ou t nd r i a' ttt i ttons
a i s Bute n i Pl i ifha br tt sac i i f dc a c am s c ti wou d silb un i y,gi n t t
pple .
ve f antf d ough hi ton n e r l l i our t l tl e tmel ve ha
u d rteçis c mp tn b adr ly tesxy a l tto p ro o 2 U. C.j 2 01a wo l h v b e
n e h çrt o ee t o r ue' h i-e r i ain eid f 8 S.
f
'
mi
4 () ud a e e n
ti r d by t M SPB' co i er ton ofPl i ifs 2 a / 200 c a ms S Chambe sv.Unie St e , 7
rgge e
he
S ns d a i
antf ' 003 nd or 4 l i . ee
r
t d at s 41
F3 1 l ( d Ci. 0 5 (in Fre ma ,l9CtCl 1 31 F.da 3 9 Cg I cu eo ato aie (n te
.d 2 8 Fe . r2 0 ) ct g id n 5 . . , 0 2 t 2 ) N( a s f cin rss a d h
i
o
saueo l tt n d e n tr n u tl p o e b a dha a tdo d cie t a t'.
tt t f i ai s o s o u ) ni a r p r o r s ce r e l d o c.)
mi o
n
'
l
2
t s cas Def
hi e.
endantas t t no s at çpay cont act'exit i t scas and Pl ntf has
sers hat epar e s
r ' s s n hi e,
ai if
not pr
oduced any s fc evi
pecii
dence t t contar Cr aly, nor has Pl ntf pr ded
o he
r y. uci l
ai if ovi
evi
dence contadi i M s Hut on' decl aton,or s
r ctng . ches s
ar i
hown t t M SPB r i r di
hat he
ulngs egar ng
hi pay l wer i r . 1t t tt e w asno se at pay contac bet een Pl ntf a
s
evel e ncor ect snd ha her
par e
r t w
ai if nd
t Posal Servi 1 al a contac t was br
he
t
ce, et one
r t hat
eached, and Pl ntf s com pl nt can be
ai if'
ai
dim i s as a m a t ofl .
s s ed
ter aw
lV.
CONCLUSI
ON
Fo t f e ng raons De e n' moi f s
r he orgoi e s , fnda ts ton or ummayj dgme i ga e An
r u
nt s rntd.
appr i e or accompani t sm em or
oprat der
es hi
andum opi on.
ni
The Cl k oft Cour i diect t s a cerii copy oft s m em or
er
he
t s r ed o end
tfed
hi
andum opi on t
ni o
Pl ntf and al counselofr d.
ai if
I
ecor
41
Ent ed t s
er hi
1 dyfue21.
1 aoJ ,03
n
NO
K .M O
U NI
TED STATES DI
STRI J
CT UDGE
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