Today we had a very productive two hour video call with EEOC Administrative Judge Roberts-Draper regarding a process to move this case forward. The EEOC Administrative Judge explained that the purpose of the call was to explore the types of claim information that the Agency and our offices could provide to the EEOC in order to move the process forward. In particular, the EEOC Administrative Judge wants to have the relevant information in a spreadsheet format that would allow the Judge to easily access the information, with a goal of moving forward with the process of claim determination.

Significantly, the EEOC Administrative Judge made clear that only Thomas & Solomon LLP and Kator, Parks, Weiser & Harris PLLC, along with the Agency, will be working directly with the Judge both during the call itself and as we move forward with this process. By doing so, the EEOC Administrative Judge is hopeful that unnecessary delays are avoided. As Phase 1 Class Counsel, responsible for the leading the charge that led to the EEOC’s finding that the Agency created and implemented a program that discriminated against thousands of US Postal employees, our offices are honored to lead the fight during Phase II to ensure that there is a fair and efficient process designed to evaluate claimants and the relief they may be entitled to.

During the video call, the Administrative Judge asked the Agency a series of questions as to their ability to quickly access a variety of information needed in order to evaluate claimants and to produce it in an excel format for the EEOC. While the Agency once again attempted to further delay the matter by claiming that some of the data such as disability status was not something they had access to in the requested format, our offices were quick to point out systems in which such information could be accessed by the Postal Service. As a result of our identification of various processes and systems that could easily be utilized to gather the information needed by the EEOC, the Agency was ordered to provide an update to the EEOC Administrative Judge within a week as to their ability to access and produce such information. Our offices also agreed to provide some additional information that should assist the process which was obtained from the Postal Service during the course of the litigation and should provide the EEOC Judge with much of the requested information.

Please note: the Judge emphasized that the EEOC wants to have the most current contact information for each claimant. If you are represented by our offices and have changed your contact information, including telephone number, mailing address, or email address, please make sure to promptly update such information with our offices. You may email our office at [email protected] or call us at 585-272-0540.

During the call, we voiced the frustration of our clients as to the continuous delay tactics used by the Agency that has made this process nearly fifteen years long and not yet complete. We emphasized that our clients have one simple goal: a just resolution for their claims of discrimination under the NRP. We also noted that even their responses to the EEOC Administrative Judge’s questioning was further demonstration of their pattern of behavior: delay, deny, delay, deny. We promised the Judge we would do everything we can to help the EEOC issue claim determinations as soon as possible.

It is worth noting that on the video call was EEOC Administrative Judge McCauley and a data person from the EEOC. While neither spoke during the video call, EEOC Administrative Judge Roberts-Draper did take several breaks in order to confer with her team and review her notes.

At the end of today’s status conference, the Judge noted that there will be subsequent conferences to continue to ensure that the EEOC has all of the information needed to evaluate claimant relief. The Judge said she will schedule the next conference after she evaluates the information provided in connection with today’s call.

As the attorneys who initially filed the charge that began this action back in 2007, we understand this has been a long and frustrating road, but please know that we will continue to fight for each of our claimants. Because of each of you and your willingness to speak out about the injustices you and others like you faced, the Agency has been found to have discriminated against injured employees and now they must face the consequences for their actions and provide relief to those people who are found to have been injured! We eagerly await the next conference with the Court and will provide an update when one has been scheduled.