Richards v. Detroit Free Press

Plaintiff appeals as of right from the trial court’s order granting defendant’s motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, MCR 2.610, on plaintiff’s claim for wrongful discharge. Plaintiff also appeals the trial court’s directed verdict on plaintiff’s claim of age discrimination. We reverse the trial court’s grant of judgment notwithstanding the verdict and affirm the grant of a directed verdict.

Plaintiff Blenford Richards was hired by defendant Detroit Free Press in 1970 as a full-time journeyman printer in the composing room. Under the collective bargaining agreement, each printer is…