installers employed by AT & T in the State of Oregon decreased in number, and those installers who remained in the State of Oregon were more frequently subject to temporary transfers.
In 1982, Miller was told that he would be temporarily transferred to the State of Florida. In response, Miller obtained a note from his doctor which provides as follows:
Mr. Daryl Miller has repeatedly demonstrated heat exhaustion to the point of exacerbation of Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia. I recommend he remain in a temperate climate. Any consideration that you can give this patient would be greatly appreciated.
Thereafter, Miller was evaluated by Dr. Joseph Thaler, a physician retained by AT & T. Dr. Thaler recommended to AT & T that Miller avoid working in temperatures greater than ninety degrees. As a result of the opinions of these two doctors, AT & T limited Miller’s work environment to temperatures ninety degrees or under.
In January, 1985, AT & T notified Miller that he would be temporarily transferred to Omaha, Nebraska. On January 8, 1985, Miller provided AT & T with the following note from his doctor:
This 89 year old gentleman has asthma based on Pollenosis. He is currently stable on his medications and desensitized program with Dr. Charles Wagner.
I believe he will suffer adversely if he is transferred to a dry, cold climate, particularly if he is working indoors and outdoors alternately.
I hope this helps you to help this patient.
AT & T did not temporarily transfer Miller to the State of Nebraska.
In the Spring of 1985, Miller was temporarily transferred to Mesa, Arizona. Miller was temporarily transferred to Mesa, Arizona because 1) there was a need for Index 5, ESS 1A Installers in Mesa, Arizona; 2) there was a surplus of Index 5, ESS 1A Installers in Salem, Oregon; 3) Miller was not performing Index 5, ESS 1A work in Salem, Oregon at the time that he was temporarily transferred to Mesa, Arizona; and 4) of the three Index 5, ESS 1A Installers based in Salem, Oregon, it was Miller’s turn to be temporarily transferred.
Miller advised his supervisors of his work restriction, i.e. that he could not work in temperatures over 90°. The temporary transfer was delayed and Dr. James E. Wassenmiller, a board certified internist with a specialty in cardiology was retained by AT & T to give Miller a stress test. Dr. Wassenmiller agreed with prior physicians that Miller should avoid strenuous work in hot weather.
After reviewing Dr. Wassenmiller’s report and Miller’s current medical record, Dr. Ralph Wexler, AT & T’s medical director, wrote the following to AT & T:
After reviewing the medical record and recent reports from J.E. Wassenmiller, M.D., it is my opinion this employee may be transferred outside his base area with the only limitation being that he avoid strenuous exertion when working in temperatures (indoor) of 90° F.
Thereafter, AT & T again informed Miller that he would be temporarily transferred to Mesa, Arizona.
Miller reported to Mesa, Arizona at the end of May, 1985. He was housed in an air conditioned hotel. He worked without incident for approximately two weeks. On June 10, 1985, Miller became light-headed while working indoors where the air conditioning vents had, for some reason, been closed. Miller’s supervisor opened the air conditioning vents, and Miller went to a doctor.
Miller returned to work on June 11, 1985. Miller worked without incident on June 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, 1985. On June 21, 1985, Miller advised AT & T that he was returning to Salem, Oregon because he could no longer “gamble” with his