Full title: ELLISON BURNS, SR., Plaintiff, v. I.L.A. LOCAL 1414, Defendant
Court: United States District Court, S.D. Georgia, Savannah Division
Case No. CV408-072.
Date published: Mar 11, 2009
Fact:
Ellison Burns, Sr., alleges that the International Longshoreman Association (“ILA”) Local 1414 discriminated against him based on age and sex, in violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”). Burns claims that the ILA favored younger women in work assignments at the Port of Savannah.
Issue:
The main issue in this case is whether the ILA discriminated against Ellison Burns, Sr., based on age and sex, as he alleges. Specifically, the issue is whether Burns can establish a prima facie case of discrimination and whether the ILA’s reasons for its actions are legitimate or pretextual.
Decision:
The court recommends granting summary judgment in favor of the defendant, ILA Local 1414, and dismissing the case with prejudice. The court finds that Burns failed to provide sufficient evidence to support his discrimination claims and rebut the ILA’s legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons for its actions. Therefore, the court concludes that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that the ILA is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Additionally, the court advises Burns against advancing baseless suits and threatens sanctions if he continues to do so.