Genevieve Thomas v. Anchorage Telephone

In this case we are called upon to determine the propriety of a negotiated salary increase for Anchorage Telephone Utility (ATU) employees in 1975 which featured a larger increase for male-dominated positions (45 %) than for female-dominated positions (35 %). The trial court held that defendants ATU and the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers, Local 1547 (IBEW) successfully rebutted the plaintiffs prima facie case of disparate treatment sex discrimination; plaintiffs failed as a matter of law to establish a case of disparate impact sex discrimination; IBEW did not breach its duty of fair representation; ATU was entitled to partial attorneys fees, and IBEW was entitled to partial attorneys fees and costs. Our Disposition of the case requires a remand for further proceedings.