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What I've Been Reading This Week: A Look Back Edition


There are always a few articles that I write about which I suggest readers keep an eye on down the road.  Some of my posts that I suggest readers follow up on focus on legislative bills or amendments, while others deal with pending employment and labor law issues in courts across the country.  This week, I wanted to take a look back at some big employment and labor law related issues that have recent updates which I think readers would enjoy.

As always, below are a few articles that caught my eye this week.


Buffalo Bills Cheerleader Suit Continues After N.F.L.'s Motion Denied

The Buffalo News has an article from earlier this month and details a recent decision by a judge to deny the N.F.L's request to dismiss the league from the Buffalo Bills cheerleaders' wage and hour lawsuit.  (Buffalo Bills Cheerleaders File Wage & Hour Suit).  The N.F.L. had argued that it was not an employer of the cheerleaders and was not responsible for the pay/alleged misclassification of the the cheerleaders.  The judge did not agree and held that since discovery had not yet been conducted, the N.F.L.'s motion was premature.  This one has a ways to go still, but still an interesting update on the continuing saga of these wage and hour lawsuits against several N.F.L. teams.



Late last week, the Illinois House voted on Governor Bruce Rauner's proposed right to work zones.  For those keeping score at home, House Speaker Michael Madigan had previously stated he would bring the matter to a vote, even though no formal legislation had been submitted by the Governor.  (Updated - May 14th Right to Work Vote Called For By Illinois House Speaker).  As expected, the right to work plan was voted down 0-72-37 with all Democrats casting "no" votes, and all Republicans, except one, casting "present" votes as a protest to the "political sham".  At this stage, the right to work zone proposal is at a stopping point, but the Governor could still submit formal legislation before the legislative session is up later this month.


Judge Denies Attempt to Block $15.37 Minimum Wage Increase for Los Angeles Hotel Workers

Last week, U.S. District Judge Andre Birotte Jr. denied a request by the American Hotel and Lodging Association and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association to issue an injunction to block the city's hotel worker wage increase while litigation is pending.  For those who remember, late last year, the Los Angeles City Council approved an increase in minimum wage for hotel workers in the city to $15.37/hour.  (Hotel Workers In Los Angeles To Receive $15.37/Hour).  Unsurprisingly, he American Hotel and Lodging Association and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association filed a suit in December seeking to stop the minimum wage from going into effect.  (Two Trade Groups Seek to Block $15.37 Minimum Wage Increase).  While the judge's ruling does not directly impact the suit filed by the trade groups, it allows the minimum wage increase to go into effect in July without delay.  This is one to continue to keep an eye on!

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