For the first time in history, college athletes are petitioning to be represented by labor unions and have taken the first step in the process of being recognized as employees under the National Labor Relations Act.
Continue reading “College Athletes Petition to Become Union”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an act earlier this year that will have a significant impact on employers in the transportation industry by changing the tests used to determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. The act, titled the “New York State Commercial Goods Transportation Industry Fair Play Act,” takes effect on March 11 and amends the New York Labor Law.
Continue reading “New Act May Affect Commercial Goods Transportation Contractors in NY”
On February 11, attorney Steven Mitchell Sack “The Employee’s Lawyer,” through his affiliated law firm Mirotznik & Associates in East Meadow, New York, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Central Islip on behalf of a woman who worked in the Hempstead Town Clerk’s office. His client is seeking unspecified damages against Mark Bonilla, the former Town Clerk, and the Town of Hempstead.
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, announced in December 2013 that an agreement has been reached to reinstate 25 employees before the end of the holiday season. The employment of the workers ended suddenly, earlier in the month, following wage dispute with store management.
“Because of this agreement, 25 workers will be back to work in time for the holidays,” said Attorney General Schneiderman.
Continue reading “Domino’s Employees Back at Work before the 2013 Holidays”
Although it may seem to be a primitive concept to many, that pregnant women deserve the same protections that other groups receive regarding employment laws, it is not the case. While there have been some small and local victories, a national victory has yet to be gained.
Despite the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978’s bar on discrimination toward pregnant employees, many American women are forced out of their jobs or denied accommodations that would allow them to continue working once they become pregnant.
Continue reading “NYC Pregnancy Protections in Effect; Federal Law Still Stalled”
Mayor Bill de Blasio and incoming Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito announced that the New York City Council will look to expand the Earned Sick Time Act within the year.
According to the Mayor, the updated law would: (i) protect an additional 500,000 City employees, including those in the manufacturing sector, by expanding the paid leave requirement to employers with 5 or more employees starting in April 2014; (ii) expand the definition of family members so that employees could use sick leave to care for grandparents, grandchildren and siblings; and (iii) allow employees to use sick time as they accrue it rather than wait 120 days after they started working.
Continue reading “NYC Earned Sick Time Act May Be Expanding”
Ramon Alcantara, a former employee of Pebble Beach Co. for over 20 years, alleges he was fired as a result of age discrimination late in 2013. According to the complaint, Alcantara, who is over 55 years of age, injured his back while replacing a 50-pound pump motor at the beach and tennis club.
Continue reading “Golf Course Accused of Age Discrimination by Former Employee”
Diana St Gerard, 64, a nurse in the mental health unit at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, Long Island claims that she was mocked by colleagues who said her Haitian accent was “irritating.” More importantly, Ms. St Gerard alleges that she was fired after complaining that several white staffers discriminated against her, minority patients and their families. She went on to explain that a co-worker even mocked her with a voodoo doll because of her nationality.
Continue reading “Haitian Nurse Sues New York Hospital for Racial Discrimination”
While many would think a Hooters waitress would have a charge for sexual assault pending, a former waitress of the chain has a legal matter of a different kind: a civil rights action. Farryn Johnson, 25, alleges she was fired from her job as a waitress at the Hooters restaurant after she was told by managers that her hair color violated the employee image standards.
Continue reading “Maryland Hooters Waitress Claims Race Discrimination Over Hair Color”
By now every employer, employee and individual is aware of the U.S. recession. Although the nation is in recovery, there are still consequences of the protracted recession. Due to the recession, employer contributions to the New York State Unemployment Insurance Fund have been insufficient to cover the benefits paid out to individuals. As a result, the Unemployment Insurance Fund is grossly underfunded, which has required New York to borrow $3.5 billion from the federal government. In order to repay this loan and avoid significant interest charges, New York has recently enacted a number of “reforms” that are expected to save the state $200 million.
Continue reading “Changes to New York Unemployment Insurance Law”
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