Case: Hamilton v. City of Wilmington

1:00-cv-00635 | U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware

Filed Date: July 7, 2000

Closed Date: July 29, 2003

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On July 7, 2000, temporary employees of the City of Wilmington filed this class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The plaintiffs sued the City of Wilmington under 42 U.S.C. § 1981, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and the Wilmington City Charter. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, asked the court for monetary relief and injunctive relief. Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged that the City denied city workers benefits including health care, pensions, life insu…

On July 7, 2000, temporary employees of the City of Wilmington filed this class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The plaintiffs sued the City of Wilmington under 42 U.S.C. § 1981, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and the Wilmington City Charter. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, asked the court for monetary relief and injunctive relief.

Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged that the City denied city workers benefits including health care, pensions, life insurance, paid holidays, paid vacations, and paid sick days by replacing permanent city employees with temporary employees. The plaintiffs alleged that the City's decision violated the Constitution because the replacement had no rational basis beyond saving money.

On August 24, 2001, the parties notified Judge Gregory M. Sleet that a settlement had been reached. The settlement stated that the City of Wilmington would pay $210,000 in monetary relief to be distributed across all class members of the case. As the case moved forward the city had changed its temporary worker policy, negating the need for injunction relief.

On August 26, 2002, Judge Sleet found the proposed settlement fair and reasonable.

On September 4, 2002 a new plaintiff requested to participate in the settlement. On September 30, 2002 Judge Sleet ordered all individuals who filed claims forms on or before September 20, 2002 were eligible for participation in the plaintiffs’ case. 2002 WL 1998376. There has been no further activity, and the case now appears closed.

Summary Authors

Gabriela Hybel (10/10/2016)

People


Judge(s)

Sleet, Gregory Moneta (Delaware)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bartoshesky, Phillip B. (Delaware)

Battaglia, Victor F. (Delaware)

Attorney for Defendant

James-Roberts, Brenda (Delaware)

McDonough, Kathleen F. (Delaware)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1:00-cv-00635

Docket [PACER]

July 29, 2003

July 29, 2003

Docket

2002 WL 1998376

Docket

Last updated March 24, 2025, 8:33 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 July 7, 2000

COMPLAINT filed; Mag consent notice to pltf. FILING FEE $ 150.00 RECEIPT # 128982 (kc) (Entered: 07/07/2000)

PACER
July 7, 2000

DEMAND for jury trial by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham (kc) Modified on 07/10/2000 (Entered: 07/07/2000)

PACER
July 7, 2000

No summons issued. (kc) (Entered: 07/07/2000)

PACER
2 July 12, 2000

CASE assigned to Judge Gregory M. Sleet . Notice to all parties. (ntl) (Entered: 07/12/2000)

PACER
3 Sept. 5, 2000

ANSWER to Complaint by City of Wilmington, James H. Sills, Mary Dees (Attorney Kathleen Furey McDonough, Wendy K. Voss, Diane C. Streett, Brenda James−Roberts), (gp) (Entered: 09/13/2000)

PACER
4 Oct. 6, 2000

NOTICE from Judge Sleet to counsel of initial 16.2a telecnf. scheduled for 10/23/00 10:30 a.m. (gp) (Entered: 10/06/2000)

PACER
Oct. 6, 2000

Deadline updated; set Telephone Conference for 10:30 10/23/00 (gp) (Entered: 10/06/2000)

PACER
6 Oct. 17, 2000

Letter to the Honorable Gregory M. Sleet from Diane Clarke Streett RE request that teleconference scheduled for 10/23/00 be rescheduled (dab) (Entered: 10/25/2000)

PACER
5 Oct. 19, 2000

Re−NOTICE from Judge Sleet of rescheduling telecnf. to 10/30/00 at 9:30 (gp) (Entered: 10/19/2000)

PACER
Oct. 19, 2000

Deadline updated; reset Telephone Conference for 9:30 10/30/00 (gp) (Entered: 10/19/2000)

PACER
8 Oct. 27, 2000

AMENDED COMPLAINT by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham , (Answer due 11/6/00 for Mary Dees, for James H. Sills, for City of Wilmington ) amending [1−1] complaint (gp) (Entered: 11/09/2000)

PACER
Oct. 30, 2000

Tele−conference held (Rpt. Gaffigan) 16 conf. scheduled for 11/21/00 at 9:00 a.m. (gp) (Entered: 11/07/2000)

PACER
Oct. 30, 2000

Deadline updated; set Tele−Scheduling Conference for 9:00 11/21/00 (gp) (Entered: 11/07/2000)

PACER
9 Nov. 2, 2000

Steno Notes for 10/30/00 (rpt. Gaffigan) (gp) (Entered: 11/09/2000)

PACER
10 Nov. 6, 2000

NOTICE from Judge Sleet of 16 conf. scheduled for 11/21/00 at 9:00 a.m. (gp) (Entered: 11/13/2000)

PACER
Nov. 6, 2000

So Ordered granting [7−1] stipulation ( signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet ) Notice to all parties. (gp) (Entered: 11/09/2000)

PACER
11 Nov. 14, 2000

STATUS REPORT by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham, City of Wilmington, James H. Sills, Mary Dees, Terry Lee White, Jennifer Dawn Ferranto, Cassandra Irvin, Vernon Dupree, Robert I Fields, David SM Koon, Reynolds C Abrams, Thomas Washington, Marshall Q Jones (gp) (Entered: 11/16/2000)

PACER
12 Nov. 17, 2000

ANSWER by City of Wilmington, James H. Sills, Mary Dees (Kathleen McDonough, Wendy Voss, Diane Clarke Street and Brenda James Roberts ) to amended complaint; jury demand (gp) (Entered: 11/28/2000)

PACER
Nov. 21, 2000

Scheduling conference held (rpt. Dibbs) schedule Judge Sleet entered as follows: (120) days for discovery on certification issue; open brief on class issue 04/16/01; status cnf. for 6/15/01 12:00; discovery fact and expert by 07/02/01; disp. motion deadline 7/16/01; 00−635 and 00−855 consolidated for discovery purposes only; cnsl.to confer on sched. re: temp.empl.claims &expt.rpts; pto due 10/29/01; ptc 11/19/01 4:00 p.m. (7) day jury trial 12/03/01 matter referred to Magistrate for mediation (cnsl. to submit proposed order consistant w/above by 12/28/00) (gp) (Entered: 11/21/2000)

PACER
Nov. 21, 2000

Deadline updated; set Scheduling Order Deadlines: Discovery deadline on 7/2/01 Deadline for filing dispositive motions by 7/16/01 Pretrial conference by 4:00 11/19/01 Trial Date Deadline 9:00 12/3/01 Proposed Pretrial Order due on or before 10/29/01 , set Status Conference for 12:00 6/15/01 (gp) (Entered: 11/21/2000)

PACER
13 Nov. 22, 2000

Steno Notes for 11/21/00 (rpt. Dibbs) (gp) (Entered: 12/03/2000)

PACER
14 Dec. 6, 2000

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham of 1st set of interrog. to defts. (gp) Modified on 12/14/2000 (Entered: 12/14/2000)

PACER
15 Dec. 6, 2000

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham of request for production of documents (gp) (Entered: 12/14/2000)

PACER
16 Dec. 12, 2000

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham of 1st interrog. to deft. (gp) (Entered: 12/14/2000)

PACER
17 Dec. 12, 2000

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham of request for production of documents (gp) (Entered: 12/14/2000)

PACER
18 Dec. 15, 2000

Proposed Scheduling Order filed by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham, City of Wilmington, James H. Sills, Mary Dees, Terry Lee White, Jennifer Dawn Ferranto, Cassandra Irvin, Vernon Dupree, Robert I Fields, David SM Koon, Reynolds C Abrams, Thomas Washington, Marshall Q Jones (gp) (Entered: 12/21/2000)

PACER
Dec. 21, 2000

So Ordered granting [18−1] proposed Scheduling Order; see order for further details ( signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet ) Notice to all parties. (gp) (Entered: 12/21/2000)

PACER
20 Jan. 16, 2001

STIPULATION extending time to and including 01/22/01 for defts. to respond to pltfs. 1st set of interrog and request for production of documents (gp) (Entered: 01/18/2001)

PACER
21 Jan. 23, 2001

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by James H. Sills, Mary Dees re: dfts responses to pltfs' request for production, dfts' response to plaintiffs' 1st set of interrogatories to defendant (rdb) (Entered: 01/26/2001)

PACER
22 Jan. 23, 2001

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by City of Wilmington, James H. Sills, Mary Dees re: dft's production and interrogatories (1st set) (rdb) (Entered: 01/26/2001)

PACER
Jan. 23, 2001

So Ordered granting [20−1] stipulation extending time to 01/22/01 for defts. to respond to pltf. 1st interrog. and request for production ( signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet ) Notice to all parties. (gp) (Entered: 01/25/2001)

PACER
23 Jan. 30, 2001

ORDER, et Settlement Conference for 10:00 6/11/01 ( signed by Judge Mary P. Thynge ) copies to: cnsl. (gp) (Entered: 01/31/2001)

PACER
24 Feb. 14, 2001

Proposed Stipulated Confidentiality Order filed (gp) Modified on 03/08/2001 (Entered: 02/15/2001)

PACER
Feb. 20, 2001

So Ordered granting [25−1] Stipulated Confidentiality order ( signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet ) Notice to all parties. (gp) (Entered: 02/20/2001)

PACER
25 March 1, 2001

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by City of Wilmington, James H. Sills, Mary Dees of 1st request for production of documents re: class certification issue (gp) (Entered: 03/02/2001)

PACER
26 March 2, 2001

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by City of Wilmington, James H. Sills, Mary Dees of 1st set of interrog. re: class certificatino issue (gp) (Entered: 03/02/2001)

PACER
27 March 2, 2001

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham of 2nd set of interrog. to defts. (gp) (Entered: 03/08/2001)

PACER
28 April 2, 2001

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by City of Wilmington, James H. Sills, Mary Dees of responses to 2nd set of interrog. (gp) (Entered: 04/06/2001)

PACER
29 April 16, 2001

Opening Brief Filed by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham, Terry Lee White, Jennifer Dawn Ferranto, Cassandra Irvin, Vernon Dupree, Robert I Fields, David SM Koon, Reynolds C Abrams, Thomas Washington, Marshall Q Jones in Support of Thier Motion for Class Certification (gp) (Entered: 04/20/2001)

PACER
30 April 16, 2001

Appendix to Brief Filed by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham, Terry Lee White, Jennifer Dawn Ferranto, Cassandra Irvin, Vernon Dupree, Robert I Fields, David SM Koon, Reynolds C Abrams, Thomas Washington, Marshall Q Jones Appending [29−1] opening brief [Sealed] (gp) (Entered: 04/20/2001)

PACER
31 April 19, 2001

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham of response to defts. 1st request for production (gp) (Entered: 04/25/2001)

PACER
32 April 19, 2001

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham of response to deft. 1st set of interrog. (gp) (Entered: 04/25/2001)

PACER
33 May 1, 2001

Answer Brief in Opposition to pltfs. Motion for Class Certification Filed by City of Wilmington, James H. Sills, Mary Dees (gp) (Entered: 05/02/2001)

PACER
34 May 1, 2001

Letter from counsel for deft. regarding answering brief in in opposition to motion for class cert. (gp) (Entered: 05/09/2001)

PACER
35 May 7, 2001

Reply Brief Filed by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham, Terry Lee White, Jennifer Dawn Ferranto, Cassandra Irvin, Vernon Dupree, Robert I Fields, David SM Koon, Reynolds C Abrams, Thomas Washington, Marshall Q Jones in Support of their Motion for Class Certification (gp) (Entered: 05/09/2001)

PACER
36 June 8, 2001

MOTION by City of Wilmington, James H. Sills, Mary Dees for Summary Judgment Answer Brief due 6/22/01 re: [36−1] motion (gp) (Entered: 06/12/2001)

PACER
38 June 20, 2001

Proposed Stiuplated Order Staying Action and Amending Scheduling Order filed by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham, City of Wilmington, James H. Sills, Mary Dees, Terry Lee White, Jennifer Dawn Ferranto, Cassandra Irvin, Vernon Dupree, Robert I Fields, David SM Koon, Reynolds C Abrams, Thomas Washington, Marshall Q Jones (gp) (Entered: 06/25/2001)

PACER
39 June 20, 2001

Letter from counsel in support of proposed stipulated order staying action and amending scheduling order (gp) (Entered: 06/25/2001)

PACER
June 26, 2001

So Ordered granting [38−1] proposed order staying matter until 07/20/01; and Amending Scheduling order as follows:discovery cutoff 08/31/01; brief sched. on deft.motion for summary judgment plf. ans.brief 07/20/01 deft. rply. 08/10/01; briefing shall be completed by 09/06/01; see order for further details( signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet ) Notice to all parties. (gp) (Entered: 06/26/2001)

PACER
40 July 12, 2001

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham of 3rd interrog. to defts. (gp) (Entered: 07/13/2001)

PACER
41 July 12, 2001

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham of 2nd request for production of documents to defts. (gp) (Entered: 07/13/2001)

PACER
42 July 18, 2001

STIPULATION Amending Briefing Schedule on defts. motion for summary judgment filed 6/8/01 (gp) (Entered: 07/18/2001)

PACER
43 July 18, 2001

Letter from counsel for pltf. in support of stip. to amend briefing schdule (gp) (Entered: 07/18/2001)

PACER
July 20, 2001

So Ordered granting [42−1] stipulation amending the brief schedule on defts. motion for summary judgment as follows: pltf. answering brief 07/31/01; defts. reply due 08/17/01 ( signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet ) Notice to all parties. (gp) (Entered: 07/20/2001)

PACER
July 20, 2001

Deadline updated; reset Answer Brief Deadline to 7/31/01 re: [36−1] motion for Summary Judgment , reset Reply Brief Deadline to 8/17/01 re: [36−1] motion for Summary Judgment (gp) (Entered: 07/20/2001)

PACER
44 July 27, 2001

ORDER, that the continued reset Settlement Conference for 10:00 8/27/01 ( signed by Judge Mary P. Thynge ) copies to: cnsl. (gp) (Entered: 07/30/2001)

PACER
45 July 31, 2001

Answer Brief Filed by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham [36−1] motion for Summary Judgment − Reply Brief due 8/7/01 (gp) (Entered: 08/01/2001)

PACER
46 July 31, 2001

Appendix to Brief Filed by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham Appending [45−1] answer brief [Sealed] (gp) (Entered: 08/01/2001)

PACER
47 Aug. 17, 2001

Reply Brief Filed by City of Wilmington, James H. Sills, Mary Dees [36−1] motion for Summary Judgment (gp) (Entered: 08/20/2001)

PACER
48 Aug. 24, 2001

Letter from cnsl. for defts. that parties have reached a agreement on the terms of settlement that parties will submit proposed class certificatino and settlement terms for approval (gp) (Entered: 08/24/2001)

PACER
49 Sept. 26, 2001

Letter from counsel for pltf. that parties have reached a agreement to resolve mater (gp) (Entered: 09/26/2001)

PACER
50 Oct. 26, 2001

JOINT MOTION by Sharon Hamilton, Jeannette Cunningham, City of Wilmington, James H. Sills, Mary Dees, Terry Lee White, Jennifer Dawn Ferranto, Cassandra Irvin, Vernon Dupree, Robert I Fields, David SM Koon, Reynolds C Abrams, Thomas Washington, Marshall Q Jones for Temporary Class Certification and Request Hearing on Proposed Settlement re: [50−1] motion (gp) (Entered: 10/30/2001)

PACER
51 Jan. 15, 2002

Letter from counsel for pltfs. requesting hearing to determine settlement (gp) (Entered: 01/18/2002)

PACER
Jan. 31, 2002

Deadline updated; Motion Hearing set for 10:00 3/26/02 for [50−1] motion for Temporary Class Certification and Request Hearing on Proposed Settlement (gp)

PACER
53 March 22, 2002

ORDER that defendant motion for summary judgment is dismissed w/out prejudice ( signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet ) copies to: cnsl. (gp) (Entered: 03/22/2002)

PACER
54 March 26, 2002

ORDER granting [50−1] motion for Temporary Class Certification Proposed Settlement; directing that w/in 45 days of this order 05/13/02 class members may exlcude; directing that class members by 05/13/02 submit claim forms; that objectinos by class members to proposed settlement shall be filed w/the clerk on or before 6/18/02; settting hearing on 07/18/02 at 10:00; see order for further details ( signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet ) copies to: cnsl. in open court (gp) (Entered: 03/26/2002)

PACER
March 26, 2002

Motion hearing re: [50−1] motion for Temporary Class Certification and Request Hearing on Proposed Settlement held (rpt. Gaffigan); order Judge Sleet granting request for temporary class certification (gp) (Entered: 03/26/2002)

PACER
55 March 27, 2002

Steno Notes for 03/26/02 (rpt. Gaffigan) (gp) (Entered: 03/28/2002)

PACER
April 16, 2002

Deadline updated; set Settlement Conference for Approval of Settlment for 10:00 7/18/02 (gp) (Entered: 04/16/2002)

PACER
56 April 22, 2002

Claim form by Barbara J. Potter (gp) (Entered: 04/24/2002)

PACER
57 April 30, 2002

Claim by Tracy L. Taylor (gp) (Entered: 05/02/2002)

PACER
58 May 14, 2002

Claim by Elwood Barrett, III (gp) (Entered: 05/17/2002)

PACER
59 May 15, 2002

Claim by Nichole M. Torrence (gp) (Entered: 05/17/2002)

PACER
60 June 6, 2002

Letter from counsel for deft. regarding courts order of 03/26/02 that defts. file affidavit setting forth those persons to whom notice of proposed class action settlement was mailed, that at present defts. have not be able to file required affidavit and that counsel for both parties are planning to meet and rsolve issue and they anticipate filing affidavit on or before 6/`7/01 (gp) (Entered: 06/07/2002)

PACER
61 June 10, 2002

Claim form from Carolos A. Diaz (gp) (Entered: 06/12/2002)

PACER
62 June 17, 2002

NOTICE of lodging of Affidavit of Kathleen McDonough by City of Wilmington, James H. Sills (gp) (Entered: 06/20/2002)

PACER
63 June 28, 2002

Letter from counsel for pltf. regarding claims received after the 05/13/02 deadline requesting court's permission to waive filing deadline (gp) (Entered: 07/03/2002)

PACER
64 July 9, 2002

Letter from counsel for defts. that they do not obj. to pltfs. request to waive filing deadline (gp) (Entered: 07/11/2002)

PACER
65 July 10, 2002

ORDER that the 05/13/02 filing deadline is extended up to and including 06/29/02 ( signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet ) copies to: cnsl. (gp) (Entered: 07/11/2002)

PACER
66 July 18, 2002

Steno Notes for 07/18/02 (rpt. Gaffigan) (gp) (Entered: 07/18/2002)

PACER
July 18, 2002

Hearing held before Judge Sleet (rpt. Gaffigan) to determine whether the proposed settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate for the Ceritified Class; reserved Judge Sleet (gp) (Entered: 07/18/2002)

PACER
67 July 19, 2002

TRANSCRIPT filed for dates of 07/18/02 (gp) (Entered: 07/19/2002)

PACER
68 Aug. 19, 2002

Proposed Order and Final Judgment filed (gp) (Entered: 08/21/2002)

PACER
69 Aug. 26, 2002

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER that parties proposed settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate; the court directs that settlement funds be distributed in the manner suggested in the parties order submitted 7/18/02; see order for further details (signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet ) copies to: cnsl. (gp) (Entered: 08/26/2002)

PACER
Aug. 26, 2002

Case closed (gp) (Entered: 08/29/2002)

PACER
71 Sept. 4, 2002

Letter from counsel for pltf. re: Darry Wilson/climant late claim, and request to participate in settlement (gp) (Entered: 09/10/2002)

PACER
72 Sept. 6, 2002

Letter response from cnsl. for deft. to pltf. letter of 09/04/02 re: late claim (gp) (Entered: 09/10/2002)

PACER
73 Sept. 24, 2002

Letter from counsel for pltfs. w/follow up as to application by Daryl Wilson to be permitted to file a claim out of time, that parties agree that Daryl Wilson should be treated as other members of the class (gp) (Entered: 09/25/2002)

PACER
74 Sept. 25, 2002

Letter from counsel for defts. in response to pltf. letter of 09/24/02 regarding late filing by Daryl Wilson requesting permission to participate in class; defts. do not oppose Mr. Wilson's inclusion in class and have attached a proposed order with modifications and stip. to by pltfs. for approval (gp) (Entered: 09/26/2002)

PACER
75 Sept. 30, 2002

ORDER that those individuals who filed calims forms on or before 09/20/02 are otherwise eligible for participation in the plaintiff class; no claims received after 09/20/02 will be considered as eligible for participation in the class; see order for further details ( signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet ) copies to: cnsl. (gp) (Entered: 09/30/2002)

PACER
76 July 1, 2003

ORDER advising that case will be forwarded to FARC after 6 months and directing that sealed documents be returned to filing parties; see order for further details ( signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet ) copies to: cnsl. (gp) (Entered: 07/10/2003)

PACER
77 July 29, 2003

Return Acknowledgment from cnsl. of receipt of sealed DI nos. 30, and 46 (gp) (Entered: 07/30/2003)

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

Delaware

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 7, 2000

Closing Date: July 29, 2003

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

City of Wilmington employees who were excluded from benefits such as health care, pensions, paid sick days, paid vacation, and life insurance.

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

City

City of Wilmington

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1981

42 U.S.C. § 1983

State law

Other Dockets:

District of Delaware 1:00-cv-00635

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Attorneys fees

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Amount Defendant Pays: $210,000

Recommended Citation