labor and employment

Attorneys say more clients are asking about rights and laws.

COA affirms dismissal of case 18 years after filing

March 8, 2012

The Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled that a Henry Circuit judge correctly dismissed a union’s complaint about a manufacturing plant closure more than two decades ago, finding that the union failed to prosecute the case for 18 years and that was an adequate basis for dismissal.

Union withdraws request for temporary restraining order

March 6, 2012

The union that filed a lawsuit last month in federal court challenging Indiana’s “right-to-work” law has withdrawn its emergency motion for a temporary restraining order.

Judges affirm dismissal for lack of subject matter jurisdiction

February 29, 2012

The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld the decision by a trial court to dismiss a company’s state law claims against a labor union, finding those claims are preempted by a decision of the National Labor Relations Board.

Union sues over right-to-work law

February 23, 2012

A northern Indiana labor organization has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Mitch Daniels and other state actors over the recent enactment of legislation that made Indiana a “right-to-work” state.

Judge temporarily blocks fines for House boycott

January 20, 2012

Marion Superior Judge David Dreyer has blocked the collection of a $1,000-a-day fine imposed on boycotting lawmakers in the Indiana House of Representatives, granting a temporary restraining order until he can hold a hearing on the merits of the issue next week.

Supreme Court upholds unemployment benefits for Chrysler workers

January 19, 2012

The Indiana Supreme Court has affirmed the decision by the Review Board of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development granting unemployment benefits to Chrysler workers who took voluntary buyouts.

In issue of first impression, COA reverses union decision

December 20, 2011

Following denials from a union officer, three union panels and a trial court, three former union employees successfully convinced the Indiana Court of Appeals that they are entitled to payment for their accrued vacation time. But the COA opinion was not unanimous.

Labor law to be key issue in 2012

December 7, 2011

Indiana legislators disagree about merits of right-to-work legislation.

Rehearing

OSHA postpones enforcement

November 9, 2011

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration previously announced it would begin enforcing fall protection plans for residential contractors as of Oct. 1 this year. However, on Sept. 29, Jeffry Carter, deputy commissioner of labor for Indiana OSHA, issued a memo that said federal OSHA administrators decided to push back enforcement to March 15, 2012.

Plea reached in first-ever common construction wage prosecution

October 28, 2011

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has reached a plea agreement in a common construction wage violation involving an Indianapolis contractor, believed to be the first prosecution of this kind in Indiana.

Fair Labor Association presents talk at Notre Dame law school

September 27, 2011

On Oct. 3, the University of Notre Dame Law School will host presenters from the Fair Labor Association and civil rights and apparel industry experts to discuss “Migration and Modern-Day Slavery in Supply Chains.”

Appeals court reverses District Court on overtime pay

July 1, 2011

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a District Court’s finding that a tow truck driver was not entitled to overtime pay.

COA turns to dictionary in contract dispute

June 30, 2011

Citing Black’s Law Dictionary’s definitions of “solicit” and “induce,” the Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed a trial court’s finding that a software company did not violate terms of its contract with another business.

7th Circuit affirms ruling against former jail nurses

June 9, 2011

In a discrimination and hostile work environment case, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals concluded for the first time that displays of confederate flags in the workplace may support a hostile work environment claim. However, the judges agreed with the District Court that several African-American nurses formerly employed by a Marion County jail could not support their legal claims.

7th Circuit affirms dismissal of hostile work environment claim

June 3, 2011

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has determined that a woman failed to prove that she was subject to a hostile work environment at Ball State University.

Law School Briefs

Law School Briefs - 5/25/11

May 25, 2011

An environmental expert joins the Maurer School of Law; Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis will host a labor law seminar in June.

IU-Indy to host 31st labor-management seminar

May 18, 2011

This year’s seminar on labor-management relations will take a look at labor law in the age of social media.

7th Circuit rules on Rolls-Royce job-bias case

March 31, 2011

A day after the nation’s highest court heard arguments on the largest female gender-discrimination case in history, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has delved into that same territory and upheld a federal judge’s decision denying class certification in a sex discrimination suit in which a group of female Rolls-Royce employees accused the manufacturer of paying women less than men for the same or similar work.

Focus

OSHA withdraws workplace noise rule interpretation after opposition

March 30, 2011

When it comes to workplace injury, one often overlooked and potentially devastating injury is hearing loss resulting from high noise levels in a workplace.

New Southern District magistrate named

March 16, 2011

An Indianapolis employment law attorney has been chosen as the newest U.S. magistrate judge for the Southern District of Indiana.

7th Circuit reverses on relation back issue

March 14, 2011

A plaintiff attempting to sue his employer for breach of contract should have been able to file an amended complaint with relation back to the date of the original complaint in order to correct the defendant even though the statute of limitations had expired, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals concluded today.

Indianapolis attorney chosen as new magistrate judge

March 1, 2011

An Indianapolis employment law attorney has been chosen as the newest U.S. magistrate judge for the Southern District of Indiana.

Legal News

Civil rights lawyer worked on suit to desegregate school system

January 5, 2011

The Indianapolis lawyer who worked on several notable cases in Indianapolis history, including a lawsuit which led to the desegregation of Indianapolis Public Schools, died Dec. 26, 2010.

COA: Trust not bound by ISTA employment arbitration clause

December 28, 2010

The Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled that two former leaders in the Indiana State Teachers Association who served as trustees for a legally separate insurance trust can’t force the trust’s governing board to adhere to arbitration clauses outlined in their ISTA employment contracts.