Uber drivers may add $1B ‘bounty’ claim as trial nears
Uber Technologies Inc. drivers suing to be treated like employees are trying to add $1 billion in penalties under California’s unique “bounty hunter” statute as they prepare for trial in June.
labor and employment
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7th Circuit: State immune from FLSA suit
The 7th Circuit affirmed that Indiana was immune from a Federal Labor Standards Act lawsuit brought by two Department of Child Services Employees. The court said the state did not give consent for the suit, and thus had 11th Amendment immunity under the U.S. Constitution.
COA: Patient not notified doctor was independent contractor
The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled a man was never notified that the doctor treating him was an independent contractor and not an employee and therefore reversed summary judgment to the hospital and remanded the man’s vicarious liability case to the trial court.
Majority: injured worker’s immigration status relevant
The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled in a split decision a man’s immigration status is valid evidence in a case where he was injured while working in the United States as an undocumented immigrant.
5 players accuse US soccer federation of wage discrimination
Five stars from the World Cup-winning U.S. women's national team have accused the U.S. Soccer Federation of wage discrimination in an action filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Supreme Court tie upholds win for unions in fee case
A tie vote from the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday handed a victory to labor unions in a high-profile dispute over their ability to collect fees from public employees.
Lyft’s driver peace pact may fail if judge heeds Teamsters
Lyft Inc. is offering about 100,000 drivers in California an average of $56.14 each and some non-monetary perks to drop claims that the ride-sharing company systematically exploits them.
Truck drivers sue Celadon over wages, employment status
Three former drivers for Celadon Group are suing the Indianapolis-based trucking company, claiming it violated state and federal laws by hiring them as independent contractors and unlawfully withholding portions of their wages.
Justices uphold $5.8M award against Tyson Foods
In a setback to business, the Supreme Court of the United States on Tuesday upheld a $5.8 million judgment against Tyson Foods Inc. in a pay dispute with more than 3,000 workers at a pork-processing plant in Iowa.
Vlink: Should unions charge free-rider fees for grievances?
Vlink Much to the dismay of the labor community, Indiana has joined the 25 states with so-called “right-to-work” laws. Before getting to the point of this article, it’s important to dispel two common myths about these laws. Right-to-work does not guarantee employment, nor does it protect employees against compelled union membership. Even in non-right-to-work states, […]
Waterfill: EEOC alleges gender discrimination in 2 suits
In light of development in gender discrimination cases, what should wise employment counsel advise clients to do?
Disputes increase over who’s an employee and who’s an independent contractor
Independent contractors have long been a part of the workforce. However, with the rise of on-demand service providers who run their businesses almost solely with independent contractors, closer scrutiny is being paid to what, exactly, these workers are in the new “gig economy.”
EEOC settles disability complaint against Subway franchisee
The operator of five Subway restaurants in the Indianapolis area has agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a discrimination suit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
ADEA does not apply to company who fired 61-year-old employee
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for New Holland Logansport in a wrongful termination suit after it found the company did not meet the definition of employer under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
Former dentistry clinic director sues IU over firing
A former clinic director at the Indiana University School of Dentistry in Indianapolis who was fired last year after students complained he inappropriately touched them is suing to get his job back, saying he was denied a fair hearing
Ex-worker’s suit: Indiana plant’s illegal hiring depressed wages
A former employee of an Indiana pork processing plant is suing two company officials, saying they were involved in knowingly hiring hundreds of people who weren't in the country legally in order to keep wages low for all of the plant's workers.
Slave-labor loophole closed by US Senate after 8 decades
For 85 years, the U.S. government has turned a blind eye to companies that import goods derived from slavery – so long as domestic production couldn’t meet demand for those goods. That’s about to change.
Amazon veers into labor law fight-zone for hurried deliveries
Amazon.com Inc.’s Uber-esque foray into ultra-fast delivery has landed it in court with drivers claiming they’re being exploited.
High court seems skeptical of mandatory public union fees
The Supreme Court of the United States on Monday appeared ready to deal a major blow to the power and clout of organized labor as it considers the free speech rights of government workers who say they shouldn't be forced to pay fees to public-sector unions.
High court dispute over union fees could curb labor’s clout
The nation's public employee unions are bracing for a drop in membership and bargaining power if the Supreme Court rules against organized labor in a dispute over union fees.