SHARON LOVELACE BLACKBURN, District Judge.
This case is before the court on Motion for Summary Judgment filed by defendant Day & Zimmermann NPS, Inc. (Doc. 52.)
Pursuant to Rule 56(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, summary judgment is appropriate "if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c); see also Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23 (1986); Waddell v. Valley Forge Dental Associates, Inc., 276 F.3d 1275, 1279 (11th Cir. 2001). The moving party bears the initial burden of demonstrating the absence of a genuine issue of material fact and that it is therefore entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323; Clark v. Coats & Clark, Inc., 929 F.2d 604, 608 (11th Cir. 1991). Once the moving party has met its burden, Rule 56(e) of the Federal Rules requires that the nonmoving party go beyond the pleadings and show that there is a genuine issue for trial. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e); see also Celotex, 477 U.S. at 324-25. "There is a genuine issue of material fact if the nonmoving party has produced evidence such that a reasonable factfinder could return a verdict in its favor." Waddell, 276 F.3d at 1279; see also Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986).
In deciding a motion for summary judgment, the court's function is not to "weigh the evidence and determine the truth of the matter but to determine whether there is a genuine issue for trial." Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249. Determining credibility, weighing evidence, and drawing legitimate inferences from the facts are all functions of the jury, see id. at 255; therefore, the court must accept as true all evidence favoring the nonmoving party and draw all justifiable inferences from the evidence in that party's favor. Nevertheless, the nonmoving party need not be given the benefit of every inference but only of every reasonable inference. See Brown v. City of Clewiston, 848 F.2d 1534, 1540 n.12 (11th Cir. 1988).
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant is the largest boiling water reactor nuclear power station in the United States. (Melvin Depo. [docs. 54-2 and 54-3] at 61.) Tennessee Valley Authority [TVA] operates the station and supplements its labor force by retaining contractors, such as DZ, to perform portions of the plant's maintenance work. (Id. at 65.) DZ is a power maintenance contractor for nuclear, fossil fuel, and hydroelectric facilities in the United States, including Browns Ferry. (Doc. 36 ¶ 6.) Plaintiff Jack Watson was born in 1945, (Watson Depo. [doc. 60-1] at 8), and began working with TVA at Browns Ferry in 1971 as a pipefitter, (doc. 23 ¶ 10). He remained employed with TVA for approximately 30 years, eventually attaining the position of Maintenance Production Manager, Mechanical, and retired in December 2000. (Watson Depo. at 12.) His "retirement" lasted all of one weekend and he began working for a contractor at Browns Ferry the following Monday. (Id. at 17.) Watson continued to periodically work for various subcontractors. (Doc. 23 ¶ 11.) He went to work for DZ on December 22, 2009. (Id.)
The Project Maintenance and Modifications Agreement [PMMA] between TVA and its contractors covers and describes general personnel matters. (Doc. 54-5; Collins Depo. II [doc. 54-6] at 41.) Under the PMMA, DZ hired employees at Browns Ferry as either "augmented" or "task-managed" workers. (Doc. 54-5 at 3.) "Augmented" workers, while technically DZ employees, are supervised by and receive their work assignments from TVA managers or supervisors; "task-managed" workers are supervised by and receive their work assignments from DZ contractors or supervisors. (Doc. 54-5 at 3; Melvin Depo. at 77-78; Collins Depo. II at 42.) During his employment with DZ, Watson received about 90% of his directions from TVA. (Watson Depo. at 20.) Watson last worked for DZ as a Supervisor on the Fire Protection Project, spending most of his time "in the field" with his subordinates. (Id. at 21-23.)
On July 26, 2010, DZ hired John Melvin as its Site Manager at Browns Ferry. (Melvin Depo. at 59, 64.) Melvin was thirty-eight years old. (Id. at 12.) As Site Manager, Melvin supervised all DZ projects and employees at Browns Ferry and had authority to discipline DZ employees for work rule violations. (Id. at 64, 87-88, 115.) However, Watson testified that Melvin did not observe his job performance in the field. (Watson Depo. at 26.) As part of his job as Site Manager, Melvin exercised his "management judgment" to apply the DZ's "job site work rules" in determining the severity of the discipline to be imposed. (Melvin Depo. at 115-16, 205-06.) He testified that he did not have, and he did not exercise, discretion to stray from the job site work rules in disciplining employees. (Id. at 125-26.)
Shortly after Melvin arrived at Browns Ferry, David Cox, the other DZ Supervisor assigned to the Fire Protection Project, introduced himself to Melvin. (Cox Depo. [doc. 60-2] at 56-57.) Cox was 62 years old at the time. (Id. at 8.) He informed Melvin that he had retired from TVA in 2004, that he had been performing contracting work at Browns Ferry since his retirement, and that he was willing to help Melvin in any way possible. (Id. at 56-57.) Melvin told Cox that "the
The last week in August 2010, Watson's subordinate pipefitters were working on an underground fire protection valve. (Id. at 31-32; Melvin Depo. at 283-85.) Accessing the valve required removing a grate above a trench. (Watson Depo. at 31.) The grate was not bolted down or secured. (Id.) According to Melvin, certain tasks were required to be performed by certain crafts per trade agreements. (Melvin Depo. at 282-83.) These task requirements are referred to as "jurisdictional boundaries." (Id. at 282.) Removing the grate was a task required to be done by the iron workers rather than the pipefitters. (Id. at 281-85; Watson Depo. at 31-32.)
When a jurisdictional boundary is violated, a representative for the craft can file a grievance seeking compensation, such as lost wages). (Melvin Depo. at 278-79; doc. 60-17.) Ricky Davis was the Iron Workers Shop Steward at Browns Ferry. (Melvin Depo. at 285-86.) Davis filed a grievance with Melvin a grievance and statement, dated September 1, 2010, that stated: "2 Iron Workers were called early morning [and] late afternoon [August 23 through August 27] to [r]emove and [r]einstall grating for Fire Protection project in switchyard Fire House. When contacted about [Saturday] work [August 28], we were told we [were not] needed. Grating was [r]emoved and [r]einstalled by others." (Doc. 60-17 at 5-6.) Apparently, a pipefitter under Watson's supervision, Steve Cabiness, removed and reinstalled the grate. (Watson Depo. at 38-39.)
Melvin investigated the iron workers' grievance and interviewed Davis and the pipefitters on August 30, 2010. (Melvin Depo. at 286.) According to Melvin, Davis told him that he had called Watson to ask if the iron workers would be needed on Saturday and that Watson had told him, "no.' (Id. at 287.) Melvin testified he had interviewed Watson and Watson had told him "that originally he didn't plan on working this particular valve, but he made the decision on the weekend to go and work this valve . . . ." Watson told Melvin, according to Melvin's testimony, that he had "sent his [pipefitters] down there to work the valve" on August 28. (Id. at 288.) Watson, however, denies Melvin's version of their interview. (Doc. 60-25 at 3-4.) Watson testified that, during the interview, he had "informed Mr. Melvin that Jerry Landsdale made this decision and directed the work without ever informing [Watson] or consulting with [Watson] about it." (Id.) Landsdale was in his fifties at the time. (Melvin Depo. at 316.) Watson testified that he had been at Browns Ferry on August 28, but he was not in the area where the grate was moved. (Watson Depo. at at 29.)
On September 13, 2010, Melvin met with Davis and a TVA representative, and they agreed to settle the iron workers' grievance by paying the two iron workers ten hours at overtime rates for the missed assignment. (Doc. 60-17 at 5.) TVA was responsible for paying the iron workers. (Melvin Depo. at 294.) Melvin testified that he believed this incident damaged DZ's reputation. (Id.)
On September 24, 2010, Melvin terminated Watson. (Watson Depo. at 46-47.) According to Watson, Melvin told him that he had exercised poor jurisdictional judgment by allowing the pipefitters to move the grate instead of the iron workers. (Id. at 28-29.) Watson told Melvin that he had no knowledge of the incident until days later. (Id. at 29.) He asked Melvin how he could have made a poor judgment call about jurisdiction without knowing about the moving of the grate; Melvin did not respond. (Id.) During this meeting, Melvin did not tell Watson that he was being fired for failing to "provid[e] supervisory oversight in the field." (Id. at 47.) In his deposition, Melvin denied that Watson had told him he had nothing to do with moving the grate. (Melvin Depo. at 261.) However, he conceded that the grate could have been moved by pipefitters without Watson's knowledge. (Id. at 265.)
Melvin characterized Watson's conduct as a category 2 violation of DZ's work rules, which can result in immediate termination at the discretion of the DZ Site Manager. (Id. at 299; doc. 60-18 at 1; doc. 60-23 at 15.) Watson had no documented work-rule violations before this incident, and, although Melvin testified that he had "other issues" with Watson, these other issues were not the basis of his decision to terminate Watson. (Melvin Depo. at 298-99.) On the violation report, Melvin described the violation as "[u]ndermining the reputation, standing, or favorable perception of the company by the owner. Jurisdictional boundaries were crossed leading to grievance." (Doc. 60-18 at 1.) Watson did not sign the violation report.
(Id. at 315-16.)
Melvin fired Cox the same day he fired Watson, but his grounds for Cox's termination were not related to those for Watson's termination. (See Melvin Depo. at 164.)
Cox testified that, at the time, he and Watson left, the major work on the Fire Protection Project was completed, but that he had expected that a crew would continue to work on the project to tie up loose ends. (Cox Depo. at 73-74.) Cox was told that Josh Normand became supervisor over the Fire Protection Project, followed by Jason Hovater. (Id. at 73; see also doc. 60-39 ¶ 2.) Normand was at least six years younger than Watson, (Melvin Depo. at 167), and Hovater was in his early forties, (see doc. 60-39 at 4). In an email sent to a TVA official on the day of Watson's termination, Melvin stated that "Ryan Collins is working with Brooks [Patterson] to back fill the supervisory slots left from Dave Cox and Jack Watson." (Doc. 60-19; Melvin Depo. at 314.) Brooks Patterson was "the task manager put in place [by TVA] to assist with the project," (Melvin Depo. at 105), and was in his early forties, (id. at 309-310). Melvin testified that he could not say who "solely" replaced Cox and Watson, but "it was probably Jeff Armstrong and Ryan Collins." (Id. at 313.) Ryan Collins was thirty-five at the time. (Collins Depo. I [doc. 60-20] at 13.) Jeff Armstrong was in his "mid to late fifties," and more than six years younger than Watson. (See Melvin Depo. at 181.) Melvin also testified that there were numerous supervisors on site, and that he thought Jim Davenport took over a portion of Cox and Watson's work. (Id. at 324.) Jim Davenport was sixty-five at the time of Melvin's deposition. (Id.) Hovater testified Normand and Armstrong assumed the supervisory duties of Watson and Cox. (Doc. 60-39 ¶ 2.)
Melvin testified that DZ did not have a "record-keeping process of who is assigned where." (Id. at 325.) In any case, Watson's position was not eliminated and someone had to fill his role. (Id. at 314-15.)
Plaintiff claims defendant terminated him in violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act [ADEA], which prohibits certain employers from discriminating against employees "because of [their] age." 29 U.S.C. § 623(a)(1). In the absence of direct evidence of discrimination, see, e.g., Earley v. Champion International Corp., 907 F.2d 1077, 1081 (11th Cir. 1990) ("Fire Earley—he is too old"), these cases are typically analyzed using the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting method, Chapman v. AI Transport, 229 F.3d 1012, 1024 (11th Cir. 2000). Under McDonnell Douglas, a plaintiff must establish a prima facie case of age discrimination, which shifts the burden to the defendant to put forth a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for the adverse action. Id. If the defendant does so, the burden shifts back to the plaintiff to show that the reason is pretext. Id.
Defendant points to Stanfield v. Answering Service, Inc., 867 F.2d 1290, 1293 (11th Cir. 1989), which states that a plaintiff can show a prima facie case by proving that "(1) plaintiff was a member of a protected group, (2) plaintiff was discharged, (3) plaintiff was replaced with a person outside the protected group, and (4) plaintiff was qualified to do the job." Defendant argues that plaintiff cannot satisfy the third element for two reasons:
(Doc. 53 at 22-23) (internal citations omitted). This argument fails. To establish a prima facie case of discrimination under the
ADEA, plaintiff is not required to prove that he was replaced by someone under 40; rather, he must prove that he was replaced by someone that was "substantially younger." O'Connor v. Consol. Coin Caterers Corp., 517 U.S. 308, 313 (1996)(holding that whether replacement is "substantially younger than the plaintiff" is the true test); see, e.g., Carter v. DecisionOne Corp, 122 F.3d 997, 1003 (11th Cir. 1997)(holding that three years younger can be "substantially younger"). "[A] plaintiff may demonstrate that he was replaced when another employee assumes the plaintiff's responsibilities in addition to their own responsibilities after the plaintiff is terminated." Vahey v. Philips Electronics North America Corp., 461 Fed. Appx. 873, 875 n.3 (11th Cir. 2012)(citing Rollins v. TechSouth, Inc., 833 F.2d 1525, 1529 (11th Cir. 1987)).
Defendant asserts, as an undisputed fact, that "Watson was probably replaced with Ryan Collins." (Id. at 16.) Collins was substantially younger than Watson. Therefore, for purposes of deciding defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment, the court finds that Watson has presented sufficient evidence to satisfy a prima facie case of age discrimination.
Defendant contends that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law because plaintiff cannot rebut its articulated reason for his termination — that it terminated plaintiff of the pipefitters moving the grate. Specifically, it argues, "After completing his investigation, Melvin determined that the violation was a Category 2 violation, subsection (q), `undermining the reputation, standing or favorable perception of the company by the owner.' Jurisdictional boundaries were crossed leading to a grievance." (Doc. 53 at 24.) This is sufficient to carry defendant's "exceedingly light" burden to provide a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for termination. Turnes v. AmSouth Bank, NA, 36 F.3d 1057, 1061 (11th Cir. 1994).
Watson argues that he has submitted sufficient evidence show that DZ's articulated reason for his termination was a pretext and that the real reason was his age. This evidence includes Melvin's comments regarding "old" TVA employees, the termination of Cox, also over 60 years old. on the same day but for allegedly different reasons, Melvin's erroneous conclusion that Watson had exercised poor judgment because he had "exercised no
Holland v. Gee, 677 F.3d 1047, 1055-56 (11th Cir. 2012).
Defendant points out that one way to show that a proffered reason is pretext is by showing that the plaintiff "did not violate the cited work rule; or . . . [that] other employees outside the protected class who committed similar violations were not similarly treated." (Doc. 53 at 25-26 [citing Damon v. Fleming Supermarkets of Florida, Inc., 196 F.3d 1354, 1363 (11th Cir. 1999)].) Defendant argues that here, "the focus is on the first prong," and since Melvin had a "non-pretextual belief that plaintiff caused employees to work outside of their jurisdiction, resulting in a grievance and the payment of employees who did not actually perform any work," plaintiff cannot demonstrate pretext. (Id. at 26.)
That part of the Damon holding, which allows a plaintiff to establish pretext by demonstrating that the work rule violation did not occur, applies in cases where the decisionmaker observes the alleged work rule violation and, thus, has personal knowledge thereof. Where, as here, the decisionmaker ... does not have personal knowledge of the work rule violation, but rather relies on second-hand information that an employee committed the violation, a different rule applies. In this scenario, an employee cannot demonstrate pretext merely by showing that the work rule violation did not occur and that, therefore, the information relied upon by the decisionmaker is false. That is because, in cases where the decisionmaker does not witness the alleged infraction, "[a]n employer who fires an employee under the mistaken but honest impression that the employee violated a work rule is not liable for discriminatory conduct." In other words, whether or not a plaintiff actually committed the work rule violations is immaterial on the issue of pretext. Rather, what is material is whether or not the employer believed the allegations to be true, not whether they were in fact true.
Sweeney v. Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Bd., 117 F.Supp.2d 1266, 1272-73 (M.D. Ala. 2000)(internal citations and footnote omitted).
The evidence in this case indicates that Melvin knew or had reason to know that Watson did not order the pipefitters to move the grate. Indeed, he knew or should have know that Landsdale was responsible for giving the order to move the grate to the pipefitters. Nevertheless, Melvin testified that he terminated Watson because Watson was responsible for Landsdale. Therefore, the fact that Watson did not order the pipefitters to move the grate or know that Landsdale had so instructed them does not prove that Melvin's decision to terminate him based on his responsibility for the actions of Landsdale and the pipefitters was a lie.
Watson, Collins, and Cox testified that they are unaware of any supervisor who has been terminated as a result of a grievance filed about a jurisdictional boundary dispute among craftsmen. Although a reasonable jury could find that Melvin chose an extreme discipline in the case of Watson that had nothing to do with Watson's age, it could also infer that Melvin did not terminate Watson for the grievance — because the decision termination is out of proportion with the alleged wrong. As set forth above, a plaintiff may establish his employer's explanation is a pretext based on "weaknesses [and] implausibilities . . . in the employer's rationale." Holland, 677 F.3d at 1055-56. "[T]he less sensible an employer's decision appears to be, the more likely it is that the jury will not credit it." See Artis v. Hitachi Zosen Clearing, Inc., 967 F.2d 1132, 1140 (7th Cir. 1992). Testimony that supervisors are not terminated based on boundary grievances is evidence from which a reasonable jury could find that DZ's articulated reason for terminating Watson was not credible.
Moreover, the court finds that a reasonable jury could find Melvin's comments regarding "old" employees of TVA reflected age-based animus. While Melvin's comments are not direct evidence that he terminated Watson because of his age, the evidence of Melvin's comments to Cox and Watson and his termination of both men at the same time — as well as evidence as to the weakness or implausibility of terminating Watson based on a grievance over jurisdictional boundaries between craftsmen — is sufficient circumstantial evidence to support a jury verdict in favor of Watson on his age discrimination claims.
For the foregoing reasons, the court is of the opinion that there are material facts in dispute and defendant is not entitled to judgment as a matter of law. An Order denying defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment, (doc. 52), will be entered contemporaneously with this Memorandum Opinion.
