Madsen

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

Plaintiffs and Defendant’s Motions for Summary Judgment came before the Court for hearing on April 19, 2004. After reviewing and considering all papers filed in support of, and in opposition to, the Motions, as well as the arguments advanced by counsel at the hearing, the Court GRANTS Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment and DENIES Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Judgment.

I.PROCEDURAL HISTORY

In October 2002, Barbara Madsen, a teacher in the Chino Valley School District, filed a discrimination claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”). [Declaration of Don Bridge (“Bridge Decl.”) ¶2, Exs. 8-10.] Ms. Madsen alleged that Defendant Associated Chino Teachers (“ACT”), the exclusive bargaining agent for teachers in the Chino Valley School District, discriminated against her based on her religion by requiring her to pay to a charity the equivalent of the full union dues. [Id. Ex. 10.] The EEOC issued a “right-to-sue” letter on November 7, 2002.

On April 24, 2003, Ms. Madsen filed suit in California Superior Court against ACT. In her Complaint, Ms. Madsen…