Abernethy v. Donahoe, No. 5:2011cv30077 - Document 46 (W.D. Va. 2013)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Norman K. Moon on 6/11/2013. (jat)

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a pom A l u. ac cŠr oE e. Arum t nuaq vA u m lFn I THE UNI STATESDI TRI COURT N TED S CT J U FoR THE W ESTERN D I STRI OF V I NI CT 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 D. C. 08) n c or r A ge ue he venme er he dea r ai Ac ( t FTCA) The dititc tdimis d hi c e hol ng t t a a f r r C1 e oye , . src our s se s as , di ha s o me A mpl e pli ifwasprcl d b t Ci lSe vc Ref m Ac ( antf e ude y he vi r ie or t CSRA)fom brngi hi cli .1 r i ng s ams d. Thec tnotdta i Pl nifwa ac nta tr rt rt na e oye ,be a edl anifs our e h t f aitf s o rco, ahe ha n mpl e c us splitf'j cl m i es i l contact i na ur ' hi acton w oul lkel need t be br ai s sentaly r ual n t e,' s i d i y o oughtunder t he CDA . l at83 n. W hie t cour not t pl ntf cl m s woul be dim ised r dl d 5. l he t ed hat ai ips ai d s s egar ess of w het he was an em pl her oyee or a cont act ,t t ditncton coul det m i w he her t r or ha s i i d er ne t he c r ha j iditont he rhi c e.1 a 8 3 ou t d urs ci o a s as d. t 3. 2On J nua y 4, 2011 Co es r od fe t CDA,s h t t pr sonsf m e l ls e i t U. Code a 41 a r , ngr s ec ii d he uc hat he ovi i or ry i t d n he S. t U. C.jj60161 aenow Isedat41U. C.jj 71 - 09. Se Ac ofJ n.4,2011 Pu L. No.11 - 50,j 3, S. - 3r it S. 0171 e t a , b. 13 1 St t 36 381 26. 24 a . 77, 63Def nda talo qu e t Thid Cic ts dicu son oft CDA i An el Cr sig, L. v.U. Po t s' v , e n s ot s he r r ui' s s i he n s ma os n P. S. s al c . 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 3 3 3 3 r2 1,o u p r i to o imis n ujc te jrs it ru d . e ( t 4 . s o f 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 p l t n x rs r mpi e 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 () 0l ) n uppo t tag f wad p iai 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 ' ' rn o d s s s % 9 x 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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