Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. New York Times Co.
This case involves The New York Times Co. (Times) seeking a permanent injunction against the New York Newspaper Printing Pressmen’s Union No. 2 (Union) and to hold the Union in contempt of court. The dispute stems from a 1995 Consent Decree, part of an EEOC suit, aimed at increasing minority and female representation among Junior Pressmen. The Times alleged a work slowdown by the Union on August 19, 1998, in response to the Times notifying the EEOC of a proposed advancement of Juniors, an action the Times considered a good faith effort to comply with the Consent Decree. The Court found the work slowdown was deliberately caused by the Union and granted the permanent injunction, citing irreparable harm to the Times due to the perishable nature of its product and loss of goodwill. However, the Court denied the motion to hold the Union in contempt for an alleged September 1, 1998, slowdown, finding the evidence of non-compliance not clear and convincing and the connection to the Consent Decree too weak.