Call Us 919-240-4054“Family-Friendly Workplaces: Do Unions Make a Difference?,” written by Jennifer MacGillvary of the Labor Center at the University of California-Berkeley and Netsy Firestein of the Labor Project for Working Families, concludes the unions lead to workplaces that, through policy and practice, promote a healthy and viable balance between work life and home life. Significantly, the study […]
In the News
Labor market continues to worsen
As our clients continue to tell us, the current labor market is an incredibly brutal environment for workers seeking work. Nationally, the number of job openings per person looking for a job is at a record low. Hopefully, the Senate will soon pass the 13-weeek unemployment extension that recently passed in the House.
USW workers ratify Goodyear contract
The United Steelworkers (USW) announced that workers overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year agreement covering about 10,000 union members at seven Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. plants, including the plant in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The new pact provides job security and maintains quality, affordable health care for the union members. It also provides for a commitment by Goodyear […]
EEOC proposes new regulations for ADA Amendments Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) was passed last year and went into effect on January 1, 2009. The Act makes important changes to the definition of the term “disability” by rejecting the holdings in several Supreme Court decisions and portions of existing regulations. The effect of these changes is to […]
Study shows that low wage workers are subject to a host of employment and labor law violations
A new study, “Broken Laws, Unprotected Workers,” shows that employers routinely violate the employment rights of low wage workers, with frequent violations of the wage and hour laws, workers’ compensation laws, and anti-retaliation protections. (The summary of the original study is here.) Here are some of the startling findings: 68 percent of the workers interviewed had […]
Today’s employment decision by the NC Supreme Court
Carolina Power & Light Company v. Employment Security Commission: At issue was whether an employee who accepts a voluntary early retirement package, offered by the employer as part of a company-wide downsizing, is eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. In a unanimous opinion, the Court held that the employee was not entitled to benefits because he still […]
Today’s employment and workers’ compensation decisions by the NC Court of Appeals
Hawkins v. General Electric Co.: The court mostly affirmed an award to the plaintiff based on an occupational disease, contact dermititis, that was causally related to his employment. The court also agreed that he was disabled as long as his condition persisted. Jeffers v. D’Alessandro: The plaintiff, a former player for the Carolina Panthers, had brought […]
4th Circuit rejects STAA retaliation claim
In UPS v. Calhoun, the plaintiff (who worked at the UPS facility in Greensboro) had filed a complaint with OSHA that he had been retaliated against for engaging in daily vehicle inspections that he thought necessary for vehicle safety. He claimed that such activity was protected by the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA). The Department of […]
4th Circuit rules for class certification in racial discrimination case
In Brown v. Nucor Corporation, the 4th Circuit reversed the district court on the question of class certification. Under Title VII, the plaintiffs had brought racial discrimination claims of disparate treatment and disparate impact with regard to promotion practices, as well as hostile work environment claims. The majority concluded that the plaintiffs could proceed with all […]
Today’s workers’ compensation decisions by the NC Court of Appeals
Cannizzaro v. Food Lion: The court affirmed the decision of the Industrial Commission, which found that the plaintiff’s accident caused his psychiatric conditions. The court concluded that, although not a physician, a psychologist specializing in neurological and cognitive psychology with significant experience with traumatic brain injuries was qualified to provide expert testimony. D’Aquisto v. Mission St. […]
