Daily Labor Report® Index-Summary

TAA

TAXATION

– Health care reform

– – Tax changes, pay or play mandates opposed by over half of employers surveyed, 205:A–3 (10/23/08)
– – Tax exclusion for employer-paid coverage, Baucus (D-Mont) tells lawmakers he will seek changes, 224:A–10 (11/20/08)

– Independent contractor misclassifications

See INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS

– Mileage reimbursement, IRS sets 2009 rates, In Brief, 227:A–9 (11/25/08)
– Pension distributions, deferrals, agency seeks to revise notice rules under PPA, In Brief, 197:A–15 (10/10/08)

TEACHERS

– Overtime, minimum wage

– – Day care center instructors not subject to FLSA professional exemption, state regulations govern, Wage and Hour Op. Letter, 224:A–2 (11/20/08); text, 224:E–8 (11/20/08)
– – Licensed cosmetology instructors at accredited schools subject to FLSA professional exemption, Wage and Hour Op. Letter, 224:A–2 (11/20/08); text, 224:E–9 (11/20/08)
– – Substitute teachers subject to FLSA professional exemption even if lacking college degree, teaching certificate, Wage and Hour Op. Letter, 223:A–2 (11/19/08)

TEAMSTERS (IBT)

– Anheuser-Busch, IBT reach tentative accord on new national pact, 193:A–10 (10/6/08); initial details released, 197:A–11 (10/10/08); ratified, 217:A–6 (11/10/08)
– Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, pilots to vote on switch from ALPA to IBT, 208:A–6 (10/28/08)
– CTW activities

See CHANGE TO WIN (CTW)

– DHL to halt U.S. operations, 9,500 IBT jobs lost, 218:A–9 (11/12/08)
– Interstate Bakeries, pact modifications, ratification vote scheduled, 207:A–7 (10/27/08); ratified, overview, 220:A–10 (11/14/08)
– Local 120, Sun Country flight attendants hit with 40 percent pay cut, 192:A–7 (10/3/08); carrier files for Chapter 11, unions comment, 194:A–12 (10/7/08)
– Local 200, Waste Mgt., Milwaukee members ratify pact, end strike, 190:A–6 (10/1/08)
– Local 287, Granite Rock, IBT International not party to pact, interference charge rejected, but dispute with local must be arbitrated (9th Cir.), 205:AA–1 (10/23/08); text, 205:E–1 (10/23/08)
– Local 305, Daimler Trucks NA announces plant closings, layoffs, 203:A–5 (10/21/08)
– Local 439, Safeway warehouse workers' pact ratified, 204:A–5 (10/22/08)
– Local 716, anti-union animus, numerous ULPs, interim injunction upheld against concrete firm (7th Cir.), 196:A–1 (10/9/08); text, 196:E–1 (10/9/08)
– Local 952, First Student, Cal. school bus drivers choose IBT in 3 separate elections, 207:A–6 (10/27/08)
– Local 961, Frontier Airlines bankruptcy, court approves Section 1113 termination of pact (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.), 215:A–3 (11/6/08)
– Natl. Auto. Transporters Labor Division (NATLD), IBT leaders approve carhaulers second tentative multiemployer pact, overview, 190:A–9 (10/1/08); national pact ratified, 208:A–1 (10/28/08)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

– Avaya, ERISA, stock drop claimant cannot rebut Moench prudence presumption (3d Cir.), 221:A–5 (11/17/08)
– First Wireless, pay equity, $435K settles EEOC charges of bias, retaliation against Hispanic workers (E.D.N.Y.), 216:A–1 (11/7/08)
– Mich. Bell Tel., FMLA eligibility, intermittent leave approval did not carry over into next 12 months, re-evaluation required (6th Cir.), 198:A–1 (10/14/08)
– PacBell, past conviction not just cause, claim advances for service tech fired after management discovered name on sex offenders registry (S.D. Cal.), 229:A–1 (11/28/08)
– Qwest Communications International

– – CWA, IBEW members reject pacts, 191:A–6 (10/2/08); tentative pact reached with CWA, 199:A–8 (10/15/08); CWA pact ratified, 217:A–12 (11/10/08); new IBEW pact ratified, 223:A–10 (11/19/08)
– – Job cuts announced with third-quarter 2008 results, 211:A–12 (10/31/08)

– Sprint/United Mgt., ADEA, RIF, “me too” testimony from other employees inadmissible where no companywide pattern or practice alleged (D. Kan.), 216:A–3 (11/7/08)
– Verizon NW, unemployment benefits properly denied under employer-initiated layoff exceptions to statute, RIFd managers left voluntarily, without good cause (Wash.), 207:A–1 (10/27/08); text, 207:E–1 (10/27/08)

TELEVISION

– AMPTP

See MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCERS (AMPTP)

– Broadcast

See BROADCASTING INDUSTRY

– Cable and satellite

See CABLE AND SATELLITE SERVICES

– SAG

See SCREEN ACTORS GUILD (SAG)

TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS (AFTRA)

– “I Am PWD,” nationwide campaign launched to boost roles, access for disabled, improve portrayals, 194:A–11 (10/7/08)

TEMPORARY AGENCIES

– Am. Staffing Ass'n (ASA) employment survey, temporary and contract workers, third quarter, 2008, 227:A–7 (11/25/08)
– Illegal fees, predatory practices, employment agencies NYC crackdown uncovers widespread exploitation of job seekers, 220:A–7 (11/14/08)
– The Work Connection, religious bias, EEOC lawsuit over Muslim prayer breaks, use of “pork form” settled (D. Minn.), 219:A–9 (11/13/08)

TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES

– European Parliament approves compromise measure extending rights to short-term workers, allowing flexibility for unions, employer groups, 207:A–2 (10/27/08)

TENNESSEE

– Emotional distress claimant's history of sexual abuse admissible for diagnosis of present condition in sexual harassment claim (E.D. Tenn.), 209:A–8 (10/29/08)
– Race bias, supervisors had constructive knowledge of comparator evidence, $120K award upheld for city employee fired for setting off firecracker at work (6th Cir.), 228:AA–1 (11/26/08); text, 228:E–8 (11/26/08)
– Sexual harassment, retaliation

– – Nashville, revealing harassment of another during HR probe not protected participation or opposition activity under Title VII (U.S., oral arg), 196:AA–1 (10/9/08)
– – Waitress suspended after reporting manager's daily advances showed adverse action, Title VII, Tenn. claims revived (6th Cir.), 210:A–2 (10/30/08)

– Workers' compensation, failed drug test pretext, firm liable for retaliation despite filing of benefits claim months after firing (Tenn. Ct. App.), 206:A–6 (10/24/08)

TESTING

– Drug and alcohol

See DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING

– GINA

See GENETIC INFORMATION NONDISCRIMINATION ACT (GINA)

TEXAS

– Hurricane relief, EBSA, IRS, PBGC filing deadlines postponed, In Brief, 193:A–15 (10/6/08)
– Libel, CSRA does not preempt union officer's claim against AFGE members, Texas law governs, remanded (5th Cir.), 193:A–2 (10/6/08)
– Wage and Hour Div., Houston office reopens after Hurricane Ike, In Brief, 196:A–14 (10/9/08)

TIPS

– Dealers lacked standing to file tip-pooling challenge, administrative remedy adequate (Nev.), 204:A–1 (10/22/08)
– Portal-to-Portal Act, unions say DOL should drop proposal to align FLSA rules with court rulings, Special Report, 203:C–1 (10/21/08)

TITLE VII DISCRIMINATION

– Retaliation, scope, revealing sexual harassment during HR probe not protected participation or opposition activity (U.S., oral arg), 196:AA–1 (10/9/08)

TITLE IX OF EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1972

See EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1972 (TITLE IX)

TOBACCO INDUSTRY

– R.J. Reynolds, ERISA fiduciary breach, divesting 401(k) plan of Nabisco stock imprudent, class certified (M.D.N.C.), 191:A–4 (10/2/08)

TOOLS

See EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS

TORTS

– Affirmative defense lawfully raised in amended answer, waiver signed at buyout bars intentional tort claim filed 1 month earlier (6th Cir.), 224:A–8 (11/20/08)
– Emotional distress claimant's history of sexual abuse admissible for diagnosis of present condition in sexual harassment claim (E.D. Tenn.), 209:A–8 (10/29/08)
– FTCA

See FEDERAL TORT CLAIMS ACT (FTCA)

TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE (TAA)

– DOL's ETA to distribute $34M to 19 states, In Brief, 191:A–12 (10/2/08)
– Louisiana, dislocated auto workers, $1M, In Brief, 196:A–14 (10/9/08)
– N.C., $1.2M towards health insurance premiums for dislocated workers receiving TAA, In Brief, 196:A–14 (10/9/08)
– Oregon, dislocated workers, In Brief, 192:A–12 (10/3/08)
– States should continue programs despite funding delay, ETA says, In Brief, 207:A–13 (10/27/08)
– Wisconsin, dislocated workers, In Brief, 192:A–12 (10/3/08)

TRAINING

– Asbestos remediation, school owner convicted of illegal hiring, sham certifications, tax evasion (D. Mass.), 226:A–6 (11/24/08)
– BLS job projections

– – Jobs requiring bachelor's degree or higher will grow 15 percent from 2006-2016, 203:A–10 (10/21/08)
– – Modified education and training requirements requirements, comments sought, In Brief, 222:A–8 (11/18/08)

– DOL grants

See GRANTS

– Federal programs should follow lead of state and local programs, study reports, 226:A–3 (11/24/08)
– Job Corps transfer from ETA to Secretary's office improved practices, but more contracting reforms needed, OIG audit, 204:A–6 (10/22/08)
– Wash., home health care, training and certification required for long-term caregivers, 215:C–2 (11/6/08)
– WIA

See WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT (WIA)

– Youth

See YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

TRANSPORT WORKERS (TWU)

– Local 540, Frontier Airlines, TWU reach tentative long-term concessions pact, 193:A–14 (10/6/08)

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT (DOT)

– Drug testing, return-to-work and follow-up, DOT observed urination rule for safety-sensitive jobs optional pending court decision, 223:A–7 (11/19/08)
– FMCSA

See MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (FMCSA)

TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY

– Air carriers

See AIR TRANSPORTATION

– DOT

See TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT (DOT)

– FMCSA

See MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (FMCSA)

– Ground and air delivery

See DELIVERY SERVICES

– Mass transit

See MASS TRANSIT

– Railroads

See RAILROADS

– RLA

See RAILWAY LABOR ACT (RLA)

– Trucking

See TRUCKING INDUSTRY

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA)

– AFGE releases Obama pre-election letter naming agency priorities, screeners' bargaining rights, worker safety at top, 217:A–2 (11/10/08)
– “Sensitive security information,” federal air marshall who disclosed text message to media fails in challenge to TSA designation (9th Cir.), 194:A–6 (10/7/08)

TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES

– Mileage reimbursement, IRS sets 2009 rates, In Brief, 227:A–9 (11/25/08)

TREASURY EMPLOYEES (NTEU)

– President Kelley addresses NTEU goals, agency priorities in Obama administration, 217:A–2 (11/10/08)
– SEC, ADEA, race bias, $2.7M settles disparate impact claims related to merit pay system, union announces, 200:A–3 (10/16/08)

TRENDS

– Representation elections, labor win rate up in first half of 2008, results by union, industry, NLRB data, 217:C–1 (11/10/08)
– Thanksgiving leave policies, BNA survey of end-of-year holiday plans, 216:C–1 (11/7/08)
– Voting leave specifics vary widely under state laws, comparison chart, Special Report, 208:C–1 (10/28/08)

TRIAL PRACTICE

– Affirmative defense lawfully raised in amended answer, waiver signed at buyout bars intentional tort claim filed 1 month earlier (6th Cir.), 224:A–8 (11/20/08)
– Class actions

See CLASS ACTIONS

– Closed records, proceedings, 1st Amend., publisher, newspaper properly denied access to sealed judicial records in PDA abortion bias case (U.S., rev den), 218:A–8 (11/12/08)
– Mitigation of damages

See DAMAGES

– Pleading, court appearances, jury selection, discovery, Cal. judges share views on strategies, techniques, issues unique to job bias claims, 190:A–3 (10/1/08)
– Preemption

See PREEMPTION

– Sexual or racial harassment, case strategies must confront personal biases, questions in mind of judge, jurors, attorneys advised, 204:B–1 (10/22/08)
– Standing

See STANDING TO SUE

– Subpoenas

See SUBPOENAS

– Timing

See STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS

– USERRA, Navy reservist's delay prejudices employer, laches bars 1991 claim (7th Cir.), 213:A–1 (11/4/08)
– Venue, employment attorneys cite reasons for filing bias claims in federal court, 228:A–4 (11/26/08)

TROs (TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS)

See INJUNCTIONS

TRUCKING INDUSTRY

– ABF Freight, hiring, $300K, job offers settle race, sex, national origin bias claims, OFCCP announces, 205:A–6 (10/23/08)
– Bresee Trucking, MSHA fines $165K for accident disabling water truck driver, 227:A–5 (11/25/08)
– Cassens Transport, RICO, pattern of activity shown, suit alleging scheme to deny workers' comp benefits reinstated (6th Cir.), 206:A–11 (10/24/08); text, 206:E–4 (10/24/08)
– C.J. Dannemiller, delivery driver who called employer a liar fired for insubordination, STAA claim properly rejected (6th Cir.), 207:A–9 (10/27/08)
– Drivers' hours of work, final rule, FMCSA adopts 11-hour limit despite opposition, 223:AA–1 (11/19/08)
– Drug testing, return-to-work and follow-up, DOT observed urination rule for safety-sensitive jobs optional pending court decision, 223:A–7 (11/19/08)
– Guasimal Trucking, Edmundo Lira, Noel Moreno, Cal. AG sues 3 firms for misclassifying drivers as independent contractors to dodge taxes (Cal. Super. Ct.), 209:A–5 (10/29/08)
– Natl. Auto. Transporters Labor Division (NATLD), IBT leaders approve carhaulers second tentative multiemployer pact, overview, 190:A–9 (10/1/08); national pact ratified, 208:A–1 (10/28/08)
– Overtime, intrastate drivers commissions-based plan, formula with premium pay FLSA-compliant, Wage and Hour Op. Letter, 221:AA–1 (11/17/08); text, 221:E–3 (11/17/08)
– Pitt Ohio Express, sex bias in hiring, $2.4M settles EEOC class action, preliminarily approved (N.D. Ohio), 212:A–1 (11/3/08)
– STAA

See SURFACE TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE ACT (STAA)

– Waste haulers

See WASTE DISPOSAL

TSA

See TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA)

TURNOVER, EMPLOYEE

– Job openings and labor turnover survey (JOLTS), BLS data, Aug., 2008, 195:D–1 (10/8/08); Sept., 2008, 220:D–10 (11/14/08)