Maine Supreme Court addresses whether sharing of mandatory service charge violates tip credit law *

USA - September 19 2012
In the latest decision concerning service charges and tips in the hospitality industry, the Maine Supreme Court recently addressed whether banquet wait staff may share a “service charge” paid by customers with other employees under Maine law without violating Maine’s tip credit statute.

---

NLRB opens the door for off-duty employees to engage in organizing activity *

USA - July 23 2012
Many employers maintain policies prohibiting off-duty employees from accessing their facilities.

Co-authors: John Doran, Carie Torrence.

---

New York City Council overrides veto of living wage bill *

USA - July 6 2012
On June 28th, the New York City Council voted to override Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s recent veto of the city’s living wage bill.

---

NLRB finds union waiver in two recent decisions, including the closely-watched hospital flu shot case *

USA - July 6 2012
The National Labor Relations Board affirmed the 2011 administrative law judge (ALJ) decision dismissing the finding that the union waived its right to bargain with Virginia Mason Hospital over implementation of a policy requiring nurses to take a flu shot or wear a facemask.

Co-authors: Carie Torrence.

---

ALJ again rules in favor of hospital in closely watched flu shot case *

USA - December 19 2011
As reported in this blog, the National Labor Relations Board recently reversed a 2006 administrative law judge (ALJ) decision that Virginia Mason Hospital was not required to bargain with the union over a flu prevention policy that required nurses to wear a facemask or take anti-viral medication, rejecting the argument that the policy went to the hospital’s “core purpose” of protecting its patients’ health and was narrowly tailored to achieve its purpose.

Co-authors: Carie Torrence.

---