2012 Employment Labor Law Legal News Archives

December 2012

Hotly Debated Right-to-Work Law Passes in Michigan

Friday, 14 December, 2012

This week, Michigan lawmakers made a monumental move that many did not think possible in a state where major labor unions were born and thrived since the inception of the UAW decades ago. The Great Lakes state joined 23 others in becoming a “right-to-work” state.  A right-to-work system makes it unlawful … continue reading

Walmart Becomes a Defendant in Worker Rights Violations Suit

Saturday, 1 December, 2012

Walmart was added as a defendant this week to an ongoing federal lawsuit alleging labor violations and large-scale wage fraud. The claims against the super store are brought on behalf of mostly Latino immigrants working on a supply chain in a Southern California warehouse run by Schneider Logistics. Of its many … continue reading

November 2012

Former 'Price Is Right' Model Wins $7.7M in Discrimination Lawsuit

Monday, 26 November, 2012

A discrimination lawsuit brought by a former model of “The Price Is Right” was settled last week when a jury awarded Brandi Cochran $7.7 million in punitive damages and $777,000 in actual damages. The former game show model sued producers for discrimination and wrongful termination based on her pregnancy.  Cochran was … continue reading

September 2012

Texas Company Owes $1.3 M For What Amounts To Modern Day Wage Slavery

Sunday, 30 September, 2012

In a shameful and disheartening case of pure exploitation, a U.S. District Court judge in Iowa has ruled that a Texas company, Hill Country Farms, Inc. (dba Henry’s Turkey Service), must pay $1.3 million in wages to 32 intellectually disabled workers who were unfairly underpaid for a period of two … continue reading

Celebrity Chef Graham Elliot Settles Tip Pooling Lawsuit

Monday, 24 September, 2012

Chicago chef, Graham Elliot, has settled a tip pooling lawsuit this past week, filed by Gregory Curtis and other waiters from the celebrity chef’s popular Chicago restaurant that bears his name. The lawsuit was filed this past March on behalf of 14 former employees. In the lawsuit, the employees allege … continue reading

Walmart Employee Fired for Legal Use of Medical Marijuana Loses Appeal

Friday, 21 September, 2012

Michigan is among 17 states to have legalized marijuana for medical purposes in recent years. Michigan law does not penalize the use, possession, or cultivation of marijuana by patients who carry a physician-approved prescription. In other words, the use of marijuana to help alleviate pain and discomfort from chronic illnesses … continue reading

Court Says Telecommuting Might Be a Reasonable Accommodation Under the ADA

Wednesday, 19 September, 2012

A federal court in Ohio has determined that employers must at least consider allowing an employee to work at home when an employee is unable to work in a traditional workplace due to an Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) disability. Pamela Core's Story Pamela Core, who has severe chemical sensitivities and asthma, … continue reading

Chicago Teachers Union Votes to End Strike

Wednesday, 19 September, 2012

After Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel made a court request Monday for an injunctive order to force teachers to retire their picket signs, the Chicago Teachers Union voted to end the strike in a meeting Tuesday. Over 800 delegates voted and the decision was nearly unanimous, Union President Karen Lewis said in a … continue reading

Judge Postpones Order to End Chicago Teachers Strike

Tuesday, 18 September, 2012

Thousands of public school teachers were back to the streets Monday after a judge postponed Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's request for an injunction order to bring the week-long Chicago Teachers Union strike to an end.  Judge Peter Flynn, of Cook County Circuit Court, turned down Emanuel’s request for a same-day injunction hearing, … continue reading

Britney Spears Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

Friday, 14 September, 2012

Pop star Britney Spears has settled in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought against her by former bodyguard, Fernando Flores.  The two-year long legal battle began when Flores alleged that Spears was inappropriately exposing herself to him regularly. He testified that while wearing see-through clothing, Spears would drop objects on the ground … continue reading

Samsung Abusing Workers in China

Wednesday, 12 September, 2012

Samsung can’t seem to do anything right lately. First Samsung suffered a stunning defeat in U.S. courts at the hands of Apple.  Now, Samsung is accused of severe physical and other abuse of Chinese workers, plus sex discrimination after posting a recruitment poster for female workers without communicable diseases. China Labor Watch (CLW), … continue reading