Isis Freeman is a student at Harvard Law School.
The Department of Labor has once again delayed the implementation of the Obama Administration’s “Fiduciary Rule,” previously slated to take effect on April 10. According to Forbes, the DOL has responded to President Trump’s February 3 executive order to review the rule by postponing the rule’s implementation until June 9. The comment period on issues raised by President Trump remains open until April 17.
Law360 reports that U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel denied conditional certification to a nationwide class of Papa John’s International Inc. delivery drivers in Durling, et al. v. Papa John’s International, Inc., Case No. 7:16-CV-03592 (CS) (JCM) (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 29, 2017). The drivers alleged that the company failed to sufficiently reimburse them for the cost of their vehicle expenses. The court reasoned that the absence of any evidence of common policy that violates the FLSA is enough for employers to defend their pay practices, noting that evidence of underpaid workers at few dozen corporate stores and two franchisees is insufficient to certify a class comprised of more than 3,300 restaurants.
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCC”) released its 2017 Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Benchmark of 6.7%. Federal contractors use this figure to evaluate their veteran hiring efforts. This year’s benchmark is slightly lower than 2016’s Benchmark of 6.9%.
As noted on the blog, five women have received settlements totaling $13 million following accusations of sexual harassment by Bill O’Reilly. The revelation sparked an online conversation under the hashtag #droporeilly under which an outpouring of women have described years of workplace mistreatment. The New York Times shares some of these narratives.
Daily News & Commentary
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July 17
Senator J.D. Vance joins Donald Trump’s campaign, targeting pro-labor voters, Project 2025 includes gutting the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and Seattle Boeing workers prepare for a strike vote.
July 16
Teamsters president speaks at RNC; Starbucks decertification campaign fails; Biden taps new PBGC leader
July 15
Workday bias suit moves forward; DOL proposes new LMRDA rule; Bronx Defenders to go on ULP strike
July 14
Teamsters president to speak at RNC; youth work permit requirement rollbacks; eulogies to Jane McAlevey.
July 12
Dollar Tree and OSHA settle; union leaders split over Biden support; new report on low wages.
July 11
President Biden meets with union leadership and a New York law firm announces new applicant screening policy regarding student protest activity.