Bierdeman
Bierdeman v. Shearson Lehman Hutton, Inc.
Opinion
Opinion
Peckham, J.
ORDER
I. INTRODUCTION.
We are presented with a motion by defendant Shearson Lehman Hutton (“Shear-son”) to stay proceedings and compel arbitration in this sex discrimination suit brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq. Plaintiff Lauryn Agnew Bierdeman was employed by Shearson as an institutional equity salesperson. She alleges that Shearson first reduced her compensation and ultimately terminated her employment because of her sex and in retaliation for her twice taking pregnancy leave. After timely submitting her claim to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) and receiving a notice of right to sue, Bierdeman filed this action in federal district court. She has refused to submit to arbitration, arguing that the Title VII statute and judicial authority interpreting it entitle her to pursue a remedy in federal court without first submitting her grievance to binding arbitration.
Defendant Shearson now moves to stay Bierdeman’s action and to compel her to submit her claim to arbitration. Shearson argues that Bierdeman is contractually bound to arbitrate her claim by the constitutions and regulations of the New York Stock…