Tag: labor
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Rudd Center Survey Finds Support for Laws Against Weight Discrimination
The University of Connecticut’s Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity has conducted a study assessing public support for policies and laws that would prohibit discrimination based on weight. Rebecca M. Puhl, et al., “Potential Policies and Laws to Prohibit Weight Discrimination: Public Views from 4 Countries,” The Milbank Quarterly, December 2015. In an online…
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Slave Labor Suit Against Nestlé Dismissed
A California federal court has dismissed a putative class action alleging Nestlé USA Inc. violates state laws about notifying consumers of products sourced from forced labor because of Nestlé’s partnership with a company accused of using slave labor to catch and supply its fish. Barber v. Nestlé USA Inc., No. 15-1364 (C.D. Cal., order entered…
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NIOSH to Target Maritime Safety Issues
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has launched a Center for Maritime Safety and Health Studies. The new program will reportedly coordinate research and intervention studies across the agency for this “high-risk worker population.” See NIOSH eNews, December 2015. Issue 586
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Jury Awards $240,000 to Muslim Workers Fired for Refusal to Transport Beer
A jury has awarded two Muslim men $240,000 after they were fired from Star Transport Inc. for refusing to transport beer because of their religious beliefs. EEOC v. Star Transport Inc., No. 13-1240 (C.D. Ill., jury verdict submitted October 21, 2015). Each man will receive $20,000 for mental or emotional pain and $100,000 in punitive…
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Papa John’s Franchisees to Pay Workers for Labor Violations
The U.S. Department of Labor and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman have announced that four Papa John’s Pizza franchisees have agreed to pay $469,355 for labor violations. Back wages and damages will be distributed to 250 affected workers, to whom the franchisees failed to pay minimum and overtime wages and failed to provide one…
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Costco Shrimp Farmed with Slave Labor, Proposed Class Action Alleges
A consumer has filed a putative class action against Costco Wholesale Corp. alleging that the company sells shrimp obtained with slave labor in Thailand. Sud v. Costco Wholesale Corp., No. 15-3783 (N.D. Cal., filed August 19, 2015). Citing documentaries and media reports, the complaint asserts that through its store brand, Kirkland, Costco has been selling…
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U.K. Slave Labor Law to Require Disclosures from 12,000 Companies
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron has announced new measures added to the Modern Slavery Act, which took effect on July 31, 2015, that will require global companies to publish an annual slavery and human trafficking statement. The added provisions, which take effect in October, affect companies with a turnover of ₤36 million or more that…
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Court Grants Conditional Class Certification in T.G.I. Friday’s Wage Action
A New York federal court has granted conditional class certification to plaintiffs employed by T.G.I. Friday’s who allege underpayment for side work and lack of payment for overtime work in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Flood v. Carlson Restaurants Inc., No. 14-2740 (S.D.N.Y., filed April 17, 2014). The restaurant employs as many…