Obama Watch: Whirlwind World Tour Jul 30, 2008
You can bet the union bosses expect a lot of "change" from Obama next year on labor law. An Obama administration possibly coupled with a filibuster-proof Senate will feel a real sense of obligation to repay Big Labor that supported them. (Human Events Online)
Macys clothes not made in sweatshop Jul 30, 2008
We have cooperated fully with the Department of Labor and applaud the department for its vigorous enforcement of labor laws ... However, a factory named in Long Island City, N.Y., which was also cited for labor law violations, was making apparent counterfeit goods under a Macy s private label. (Cincinnati Business Courier, OH)
Religious Leaders and Elected Officials March with Caregivers for a Free and Fair Union Election at St. Joseph Hospitals Jul 28, 2008
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange said in a letter to workers on Wednesday that they would allow workers to hold a union election, but they would not agree to a set of basic ground rules to ensure that interference by supervisors and violations of labor law could be resolved quickly. "The Sisters say they aren't opposed to us forming a union," said Ritchie Macadaeg, a respiratory care practitioner at St. Jude hospital in Fullerton for 13 years. (PR Newswire)
Russia Drops Summons to Oil Boss in Labor Inquiry Jul 28, 2008
The American boss of Anglo-American oil venture TNK-BP won't have to appear for questioning Monday, after Moscow city prosecutors overturned a decision to summon Chief Executive Robert Dudley for inquiries about alleged labor law violations ... "It's always possible to find minor violations of the labor law like for not filling out the proper form for going on vacation," she said ... "If they found anything this time, it's no big deal. The fines for labor law violations are insignificant,... (ABC News -- Wire)
After raid, immigrants fuel labor inquiries Jul 27, 2008
Immigrants have described pervasive labor violations at the plant, allegations that could lead to in criminal charges for Agriprocessors executives, labor law experts said. The immigrants have told investigators they were routinely put to work without safety training and were forced to work long shifts without overtime or rest. (Austin American-Statesman)
Sarkozy wins battle to loosen 35-hour workweek Jul 25, 2008
The new legislation, which was passed by Parliament late Wednesday night and which will take effect in September, is the boldest step yet in stripping what many view as an emblematic labor law, without quite getting rid of it. While the workweek limit is as good as buried, every hour beyond 35 that is worked will be considered overtime and will therefore be more expensive. (International Herald Tribune)
Factory that made Macy's apparel accused of cheating workers Jul 25, 2008
Macy's, in a statement, said it is very concerned about the allegations of the potential labor law violations. "If true, the allegations represent a serious violation of our company's stringent Vendor/Supplier Code of Conduct that sets out specific standards and requirements for any vendor doing business with Macy's. We have begun our own internal investigation on this matter," the company said in an e-mailed statement. (Cincinnati Business Courier, OH)
Minimum wage now $6.55 an hour Jul 24, 2008
"It becomes very hard to increase wages when small businesses are in very tight competition for their goods and services," said Marc Freedman, director of labor law policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which opposes the wage increase. Unlike larger businesses that can better absorb labor cost increases, Freedman said, small businesses will struggle to find the extra money and can't always do so by raising prices in a fiercely competitive marketplace. (OregonLive, OR -- Business)
Minimum wage boost to cost Jul 24, 2008
" It was time to raise the rate, but the timing with the bad economy is making it more painful, Googe said. "We're going from having a great year last year to having one of our worst," he said. The higher minimum wage also will hurt Cofer's Home and Garden Showplace, especially with the inflation rate at 5 percent, said owner Stuart Cofer. "It does hurt, because I hire a lot of high school and college kids, and you take inflation and add another 12 percent from the minimum wage and, bingo, look... (Athens Banner-Herald)
Texas attorney general rules on auditor’s request Jul 24, 2008
I asked the county attorney, the Texas Association of Counties and the Texas Commission on Jail Standards if they saw any problems and I got no labor law objections, she said. Asked if she at any time considered the job a conflict, Finke said, The sheriff s office was already operating within its budget, and there were no extra people hired or expenditures that were approved by the commissioner s court during this time. (Navasota Examiner, TX)
Affirmative action still imperative, rights activist says Jul 21, 2008
Driver is an attorney at Scheff and Washington, a leading Detroit civil-rights and labor law firm. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and social relations from Harvard and her juris doctor from Wayne State University Law School. (AZCentral -- News)
Capella University Announces Two New Online Master's Degree Programs for Human Resource Professionals Jul 19, 2008
"Yet there are few online options for advanced HR degrees, especially for HR professionals who want to specialize in such areas as human capital management, labor relations, or employment and labor law. Capella's new programs and specializations will increase the online advanced degree options available to HR professionals and complement our strong existing portfolio of human capital management offerings. With our new programs and specializations, Capella now offers 15 HR-focused specializations... (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
Russian hockey contracts suspended amid probe Jul 19, 2008
" Problems arose due to the lack of a transfer agreement between the NHL and KHL. A signing moratorium was established after representatives from the NHL, NHLPA, and IIHF met last week in Zurich, Switzerland, but the deal has yet to be signed. The six players won't be eligible to participate in international transfers and competitions while the investigation is ongoing. Filatov was chosen by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the No. 6 pick in the first round of the June draft and recently agreed to... (ESPN -- NHL)
Questions over raids impact on labor investigation remain writeLink("vid_id=1066&file=postvillejuvenile.flv"); Jul 18, 2008
It remains unknown how the raid affected any labor law or child labor investigations. "Upholding immigration laws and ensuring worker safety are both vitally important to the people of Iowa, and one should not come at the expense of the other," Braley said. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Protecting workers' rights abroad should begin at home Jul 18, 2008
That we continue to treat domestic servants (PRT) in Indonesia differently than other workers -- governed by the Labor Law -- is one indicator of our failure. By not affording any legal protection to PRT, we discriminate against them -- though, to be honest, the Labor Law has not done much to improve the lives of the workers it does cover. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Editorial)
TNK-BP's Dudley fears for company's future 3/8 Jul 18, 2008
Sixteen Russian staff have filed a suit against Dudley, accusing him of discriminating against Russian employees, violating labor law and managing the company without a valid contract. Their complaints closely imitate those of the Russian co-owners, who have griped about the number of expensive expatriates at the firm. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Expect Big Labor Power Grabs Next Year Jul 17, 2008
By a vote of 7 to 2, the high court agreed with arguments raised by U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Right to Work Foundation attorneys that California s law was pre-empted by provisions of federal labor law intended to secure an uninhibited, robust, and wide-open debate in the workplace on the question of whether to unionize. California Democratic Gov. Gray Davis originally signed the bill into law in 2001. (Human Events Online)
Buchanan Ingersoll sets transition plan for CEO Jul 16, 2008
Buchanan had suffered some tough blows in 2001 and 2002 when its 20-lawyer Princeton, N.J., office was entirely picked off by Boston's , and San Francisco-based employment law boutique Littler Mendelson PC cherry-picked several members of Buchanan's labor law practice group in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Non-Pittsburgh offices clamored for more power in decision-making. (Pittsburgh Business Times, PA)
Competitiveness: GM Needs To Lose Its Heavy Load Jul 16, 2008
But labor law and court rulings in this country have strongly favored unions at the expense of businesses and consumers, and GM as well as Ford and Chrysler have often had little choice but to enter into deals that have been bad for business. The United Auto Workers have long been a millstone bolted around the necks of GM, Ford and Chrysler. (Investors Business Daily)
Seven-Strong Employment Team Quits Gide in Paris Jul 15, 2008
Conche, Allix and El Aougri all specialize in labor law. Flichy Avocats was formed 10 years ago by collective litigations specialist Hubert Flichy. (Law.com)
CDC chief criticized for pushing safety director out Jul 13, 2008
"Frankly we would have thought this was a no-brainer," said Marc Freedman, director of labor law policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The world's largest business federation is among the many diverse groups that had urged federal officials to reappoint Howard. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Inside Alaska business Jul 8, 2008
State reminds fishing crews of labor law. The state Labor Department has issued a reminder that youths under 16 may not work on a fishing boat unless employed by a parent who also owns and operates the boat. (Anchorage Daily News)
ROCKY'S WRECKAGE Jul 8, 2008
In yesterday's New York Times, Smith wrote that Rockefeller deserves to be seen as a "futurist," a man whose "zeal for big, bold ideas put New York in the vanguard of civil rights, mass transit, urban housing, labor law, mental health" and other areas. Rockefeller's ideas were big, all right - but they were hardly original. (New York Post -- Opinions)
Employees paid into canceled health plan Jul 8, 2008
"Under the labor law, it's the group policyholder who's responsible to notify the members that it's been terminated," she said. "Our contract is directly with the policyholder.". (Albany Times Union)
New York Personal Injury Law Firm Explains Three Things Building Owners Must Know About the New York "Scaffold Law" Jul 8, 2008
As a result of this ruling, under Labor Law Section 240, building owners will be held liable for any accidents occurring to workers when performing work at an elevated height ... One law that addresses construction site safety is Labor Law Section 240. (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
Rights Group Reports Abuses in Saudi Arabia Jul 8, 2008
They are denied rights afforded to other workers under Saudi labor laws, Human Rights Watch said. "The Saudi government should extend labor law protections to domestic workers and reform the visa sponsorship system so that women desperate to earn money for their families don't have to gamble with their lives," Varia said ... "The kingdom's Labor Law excludes domestic workers, denying them rights guaranteed to other workers, such as a weekly rest day and overtime pay," the report added. (Newsmax)
Overtime's time likely has yet to come Jul 7, 2008
Cornelius Murray, an Albany lawyer for hospitals, nursing homes and other employers fighting the New York measure, said the Supreme Court ruling has bearing here because the judges said federal labor law trumps New York's. Murray's clients say the state's law would restrict free speech, essentially denying an employer getting state funds from uttering anything, pro or con, about a union drive. (Albany Times Union)
Even interns without pay don't work for free Jul 4, 2008
"It's very tempting to try to come up with unique ways to get more out of your company, but the way to do it is not to bring in people who are unpaid," said Jay Zweig, a labor lawyer at the firm Bryan Cave in Phoenix ... "It never once occurred to me that I needed to worry about labor laws," McCausey said ... "I can't tell you whether I broke a labor law.". (OregonLive, OR -- Business)
An Uncertain Victory for Chinas Workers Jul 4, 2008
Chinas expansion, fueled by cheap exports that poorly paid workers produce, may slow with a new labor law in force ... Critics argue that foreign investors will simply relocate to other countries with minimal labor laws and even lower wages, thus harming the Chinese economy without really resolving a human-rights problem on a global scale ... As employers debate the costs, the question remains whether employees will take advantage of the new labor law. (YaleGlobal Online Magazine, CT)
Wal-Mart faces Minn. labor law trial Jul 2, 2008
labor law trial - The Boston Globe ... - broke Minnesota labor laws, a state judge ruled, handing the world's largest retailer its third straight defeat in a wage-class action trial and the possibility a jury may order it to pay $2 billion ... He said Wal-Mart broke labor laws more than 2 million times and ordered the company to give employees $6. (Boston Globe)
Wal-Mart Loses $6.5 Million Wage-and-Hour Class Action Jul 2, 2008
On Tuesday, after a three-month bench trial, a state court judge in Minnesota ruled that in failing to provide rest breaks, Wal-Mart broke state labor laws more than 2 million times ... Minnesota's statute provides for fines of up to $1,000 per violation of state labor law, so Wal-Mart's liability could total more than $2 billion. (Law.com)
Attorney general hires firm for sex harassment case Jul 1, 2008
Littler Mendelson, the country's largest employment and labor law firm, has been hired to represent the state office against sexual harassment claims brought by two female workers. The women, whose allegations led to the embarrassing downfall of former Attorney General Marc Dann, have secured the Columbus-based Cooper & Elliott law firm and are asking for about $900,000 for pain and suffering. (Cleveland.com -- News)
China's Export Machine Threatened by Rising Costs Jul 1, 2008
This year, the government implemented a labor law that capped factory overtime, limited temporary employment and raised the minimum working age two years, to 18. The new rules were a blow to small operations like those in Honghe that traditionally hired and fired with each production cycle. (Yahoo News -- Global Economy)
Hollywood Studios Make `Final Offer' to Actors, Say Production Threatened Jul 1, 2008
The Aftra accord probably will be ratified, said , a professor of entertainment and labor law at Santa Clara University School of Law, in Santa Clara, California. Most members of Aftra's 76-member board voted in favor of the deal. (Bloomberg -- US)
High court's tilt hinges on election's outcome Jun 30, 2008
-- Unions - A California law prohibiting companies from using state funds for anti-union activities violates federal labor law. Vote: 7-2. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Nader Jabs Again at Obama's 'Corporate' Views Jun 30, 2008
"If you want to give 100 million Americans a break in terms of their livelihood and wages, you would go for labor law reform. You would ... give them opportunity, low-income workers, to organize and collectively bargain.". Nader, whose third-party candidacy was blamed by many Democrats for costing Al Gore the 2000 presidential election, said that Obama has become a more centrist, conventional politician since locking up the Democratic nomination earlier this month. (Newsmax)
* Who stole all the copper? Jun 29, 2008
"It's a lot harder to make money in export manufacturing in China today than it used to be. Not only has the cost of every input gone up, but also the tax regime has changed, the labor law has changed. There are reportedly hundreds of manufacturers shutting down, because they just can't take it," Harney said. This would have an interesting effect on the west, to say the least. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
EC proposes single European registration for SMEs Jun 26, 2008
However, the new legal instrument does not regulate matters related to labor law, tax law, accounting, or the insolvency of the SPE.. Nor does it deal with the contractual rights and obligations ofthe SPE or those of its shareholders other than those deriving from the articles of association of the SPE.. (Xinhuanet, China)
More of this story Jun 25, 2008
If elected, she said she would be more active in recommending labor law changes to the General Assembly and promote a collaborative culture of leadership and problem-solving in the department. Brooks, 71, talked up his own experience as a commissioner as the best reason he should win the nomination. (Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald, NC)
European Club Association opposes restrictions on Premier League wealth Jun 24, 2008
For that reason ECA clubs would not support the "6+5" rule proposed by FIFA president Sepp Blatter which aims to limit the number of foreign players who could start a match, but is widely considered to infringe European labor law. "I don't see the necessity to dramatically change our business," Rummenigge said. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
Novel Method To Fight Illegal Immigration Jun 23, 2008
"I think it's a new tactic because some of the other things haven't worked," said Donald Benson, a lawyer with the labor law firm Littler Mendelson, who has been tracking the use of RICO laws in immigration cases. "Congress couldn't reach a consensus to reform the immigration laws, states are trying to fill in the gaps and they're having varied success, and local groups are trying to work through local ordinances, so it's just one part of a much bigger picture of immigration struggles in the... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
NJ immigration lawsuit employs racketeering laws Jun 22, 2008
"I think it's a new tactic because some of the other things haven't worked," said Donald W. Benson, a lawyer with the labor law firm Littler Mendelson, who has been tracking the use of RICO laws in immigration cases. "Congress couldn't reach a consensus to reform the immigration laws, states are trying to fill in the gaps and they're having varied success, and local groups are trying to work through local ordinances, so it's just one part of a much bigger picture of immigration struggles in the... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
California's Bid to Save Labor Law Falls Flat at U.S. High Court Jun 21, 2008
State AG's office raised eyebrows by calling in star labor lawyer Michael Gottesman ... Hiring the gold standard in labor lawyers for a big case at the U.S. Supreme Court didn't make a difference for the California attorney general's office after all ... Attorney General Jerry Brown raised some eyebrows earlier this year when he decided to take Angela Sierra, a supervising deputy in the Los Angeles office, off the case and, instead, have it argued by nationally known labor lawyer. (Law.com)
Diocese opposes teacher benefits in bill Jun 21, 2008
The Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese opposes a bill in the state Legislature that would give teachers in Catholic schools more rights under state labor laws ... If passed, House Bill 2626 would change the definition of "employee" under current labor law to include lay teachers in religious schools. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Supreme Court Favors Business, Again Jun 21, 2008
The state has tried to limit the amount of its money employers can use to "assist, promote or deter union organizing." However, the Supreme Court said a federal labor law pre-empts those limitations ... How drastically the Supreme Court's decision will affect labor laws in other states is still unclear ... Robin Conrad, executive vice president for the organization's National Chamber Litigation Center, says the justices' ruling "shuts the door on attempts by other states to use their spending... (Forbes -- Business)
Report puts Keller under the gun Jun 21, 2008
" Unprofessional wrote on Jun 17, 2008 10:58 PM:" Kellers been corrupt since the beginning, to include current labor law violations with the city employees. If you have ever attended a town meeting you can see how immature and unprofessional she is. (Wasilla Frontiersman, AK)
Supreme Court voids California union law Jun 20, 2008
The justices in a 7-2 decision said the state measure conflicts with the free-speech zone created by federal labor law ... This "shuts the door on attempts by other states to use their spending powers to get around federal labor laws," said Robin Conrad, vice president of the National Chamber Litigation Center ... In the union case, Justice John Paul Stevens said labor law since 1935 has tried to maintain a level playing field for unions and management. (Los Angeles Times)
Scranton Diocese rejects request for vote Jun 20, 2008
When the state labor law was written in 1937, Catholic schools were not included because they had few lay people working for them. House Bill 2626 is now in the Labor Relations Committee in the House of Representatives and will soon be scheduled for hearings across the state. (Scranton Times, PA)
Lightning set to tab Stamkos with No. 1 pick Jun 19, 2008
"He has properly terminated his contract according to Russian labor law," said his agent, Craig Oster, who said litigation still is possible. But Oster said the Russians have unsuccessfully litigated against Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh), Nikolai Zherdev (Columbus) and Alex Ovechkin (Washington). (USA Today -- Sports)
Woodruff: Mayor Keller should resign following report Jun 19, 2008
Unprofessional wrote on Jun 17, 2008 10:58 PM:" Kellers been corrupt since the beginning, to include current labor law violations with the city employees. If you have ever attended a town meeting you can see how immature and unprofessional she is. Hope this shows Wasilla residents that they need to get active in their communities government. ". EPID wrote on Jun 17, 2008 10:57 PM:" Are we still on this? didnt this all happen a year ago? Im wondering if the upcoming election has anything to do... (Wasilla Frontiersman, AK)
Supreme Court turns down Progress Energy appeal Jun 17, 2008
WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Monday rejected, without comment, an appeal by Progress Energy Inc. in a labor law dispute. At issue is whether companies and employees can settle Family and Medical Leave Act disputes without court oversight. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Calbreath: Rising costs affect China, plus firms that import Jun 16, 2008
Because of a new labor law, labor costs are going up 5 to 10 percent, depending on the industry. Beijing is also phasing out its export subsidy, which means that exporters will get 5 percent less money from the government. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Dreier LLP Files a Class Action Lawsuit on Behalf of Investors of the Publicly Traded Securities of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Company EADS N.V. Jun 14, 2008
Pitta r LLP is an affiliate which specializes in labor law, and Pitta, Bishop, Del Giorno r LLP specializes in government relations. In the 12 years since its founding, Dreier LLP, with its affiliate members, has grown to more than 200 attorneys, with its principal office at 499 Park Avenue in Manhattan, and additional offices in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California; Albany, New York; and Stamford, Connecticut. (PR Newswire)
Print Edition Jun 14, 2008
Members: Not Registered. for free extra services. (Denver Business Journal, CO)
Caregivers Protest Foley & Lardner's Union Busting & Intimidation Jun 13, 2008
The current campaign which is now directed by Rick Albert, a partner at Foley er who specializes in "union-avoidance", has featured managers, trained by Foley er attorneys, spying on, harassing and intimidating workers who are known to be involved in the union effort, and has resulted in multiple violations of relevant labor law. The fact that SJHS has hired this outside firm, and at the same time repeatedly maintains that it is not an anti-union employer further highlights the contradictions... (PR Newswire)
St. Joseph Health System Caregivers Demand Foley & Lardner Stop Intimidation, and Waste of Valuable Patient Care Resources Jun 12, 2008
The campaign which is now directed by Rick Albert, a partner at Foley-Lardner, who specializes in "union-avoidance", has featured managers spying on, harassing and intimidating workers who are known to be involved in the union effort, and has resulted in multiple violations of relevant labor law. St. Joseph Health System, which has in the past been found liable for numerous Unfair Labor Practice violations by the National Labor Relations Board is currently under investigation for harassing and... (PR Newswire)
A NEW ASSAULT ON NY CHARTERS Jun 12, 2008
The state's Labor Law defines "prevailing wage" as the local union scale, which is anywhere from 38 percent more to double the cost, depending on the locality ... Bizarrely, after pages of legal sophistry, Justice Lynch didn't even explain the key aspect of his ruling - he wrote simply that "the court declines to find" that charters' exemption from state mandates applies to labor law. (New York Post -- Opinions)
* More incentives for high-tech sector: TSIA Jun 12, 2008
The nations tech companies are facing a tougher operating environment this year, mostly as a result of the US subprime mortgage crisis, rising raw material costs worldwide, a stricter labor law, the rising yuan and a stronger NT dollar. But a new regulation marking employee bonuses as company expenses is posed to provide the greatest impact on the tech sectors operating cash flow this year, Taiwan Ratings Corp (H) said in a report yesterday. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
A Dubious Harvest Jun 11, 2008
Jesus Zapien, left, of the state Employment Development Department, gives labor law fliers to farmworkers during an investigative sweep of San Joaquin county on June 4 ... Inspectors find labor laws flouted on farms ... Labor activists say such workers, often unaware they are covered under state and most federal labor laws, are most at risk of exploitation. (Modesto Bee, CA)
Investing in Indonesia: A case of ironing out the ironies Jun 11, 2008
Labor groups oppose the proposed changes in the social security insurance scheme to ease retrenchment costs while amendments to the onerous 2003 Labor Law, which imposes heavy severance pay and lay-off procedures often cited as a major deterrent to both domestic and foreign investment, are unlikely to be passed in 2008 or 2009. The legal and judicial system, the coordination between ministries and between the central and the regional governments all need further improvements. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Business)
UK defeats bid for stricter 48-hour week Jun 10, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Skip directly to: Search Box, , , Text Version. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Agriprocessors hires former prosecutor to monitor immigration law compliance Jun 7, 2008
In addition, allegations of child labor law violations are under investigation by the state. Of those arrested in the raid, 297 pleaded guilty to crimes such as using false documents to obtain employment and false use of a Social Security number. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Pa. high court says borough can’t skirt prevailing wage law Jun 6, 2008
It said the state s Bureau of Labor Law Compliance correctly classified the 2005 project as reconstruction, and so required the town 30 miles southeast of Pittsburgh to pay higher labor costs. The unanimous court opinion said the General Assembly s prevailing wage mandate which applies to public works projects worth at least 25,000 is unambiguous. (Somerset Daily American, PA)
Fears Of A Union Renaissance Jun 6, 2008
As early as next week, the court could rule whether a federal labor law pre-empts California's prohibition against employers using state money to deter union organizing campaigns. With many winds in Washington blowing in Big Labor's favor, business groups are hoping the justices come out on their side once again. (Forbes -- Business)
High Court Hasn't Closed the Book on Retaliation Jun 4, 2008
Secunda suggests a divide on certain areas of employment law: more pro-worker in discrimination and Employee Retirement and Income Security Act cases, and more pro-employer in traditional labor law cases. "I would say they're leaning back towards the center, but the assessment is still out," he said. (Law.com)
