Supreme Court of the United States

Local 28 of the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

July 2, 1986478 U.S. 421

Summary

The Supreme Court affirmed the Second Circuit, holding that § 706(g) of Title VII does not bar a district court from ordering race‑conscious affirmative‑action remedies that benefit individuals who are not the identified victims of discrimination, and that the district court’s contempt sanctions, membership‑percentage goal, fund order, and appointment of an administrator were proper and constitutional.

Holding

  • Whether § 706(g) of Title VII limits remedial relief to the actual victims of discrimination.. § 706(g) does not prohibit a district court from ordering, in appropriate circumstances, affirmative race‑conscious relief as a remedy for past discrimination, even when the relief benefits individuals who are not the identified victims.
  • Whether the district court’s statistical basis for the 29% non‑white membership goal was erroneous.. The Court found no error in the district court’s statistical basis and held that even if the original figure were slightly inaccurate, it does not affect the union’s ongoing obligations under the revised goal.
  • Whether the contempt sanctions, including the fund order and fines, are proper civil contempt remedies.. The sanctions are civil in nature, designed to coerce compliance and compensate the complainants, and therefore proper civil contempt remedies.
  • Whether the appointment of an administrator interferes with the union’s right of self‑governance.. The appointment of an administrator with broad supervisory powers is within the district court’s equitable discretion and does not unlawfully impair the union’s statutory right of self‑governance.

Docket 84-1656

Cited authorities

  • 3 CFR 339
  • CA10
  • CA10
  • 3 CFR 339
  • CA11
  • CA10
  • CA11
  • 74 Mich. L. Rev. 1

Cited by

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