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What I've Been Reading This Week


As I finish up this update, I am somewhere over the southeastern part of the country, about to touch down in Atlanta.  Pardon the shorter post.  Given the recent laws that have been passed in North Carolina and Mississippi, transgender matters have started to become a major focal point in the workplace.  I came across a well written article that breaks down these recent laws and places an emphasis on how it impacts employers in both states.  Well worth a review, even for readers not in either state!

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


Volkswagen Appeals NLRB Ruling That Allows UAW to Organize At Chattanooga Plant

Earlier this month, I wrote an article about the NLRB's ruling which upheld a vote by a group of workers at Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant to be organized by the United Auto Workers ("UAW").  Earlier this week, it was announced that Volkswagen will appeal the NLRB's ruling in federal court.  (Although it was not announced when or in which court the appeal will be filed.).  As Bernie Woodall over at Reuters writes, not to be outdone, the UAW filed an unfair labor practice charge on the grounds that Volkswagen has continued to refuse to bargain with the workers who voted to organize.  This one is far from over...


Does Hawaii Need a Higher Minimum Wage?

Eric Pape has a well thought out note on whether hourly workers in Hawaii need a higher minimum wage.  As he writes, the cost of living in Hawaii is higher than many other states (thus, necessitating the need for a higher hourly wage).   However, the question inevitably turns to whether employers in Hawaii can actually afford to raise wages for employees in the state.  Well worth a read!


The Defend Trade Secrets Act Moves One Step Closer to Reality

The Non-Compete and Trade Secrets Report often posts some great, in depth articles on one of my favorite employment law topics, non-compete agreements.  Recently, Peter Bulmer wrote a note on the Defend Trade Secrets Act which is moving through Congress at a somewhat surprising rate.  Given the lack of bipartisanship in Congress these days, the fact that the Senate voted 87 - 0 in favor of the Act and it is possible/likely that it will clear the House and be signed into law by President Obama, is somewhat surprising.  Take a look at Peter's article to see the wide reaching impact the passage of this Act could have.



By this point, I am sure readers have heard about the laws in North Carolina and Mississippi in regard to transgender issues.  Employers and employees alike in both states have likely been impacted by these laws (or will be sooner rather than later).  This article by Labor & Employment Insights does a great job breaking down the new laws in both states and what it means for employers.  Even for those readers not in North Carolina or Mississippi, this is worth a review.  It likely will not be long before other states consider and/or pass similar transgender related laws.


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