Labor Relations Week Index-Summary

I-9 FORMS

– Documentation, USCIS delays interim final rule altering list of acceptable verification documents, In Brief, 205

IAM

See MACHINISTS (IAM)

IATSE

See THEATRICAL STAGE EMPLOYEES (IATSE)

IBEW

See ELECTRICAL WORKERS (IBEW)

IBT

See TEAMSTERS (IBT)

ICE

See IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE)

ICWU

See CHEMICAL WORKERS (ICWU)

IDAHO

– Agency fees, state law banning state employees' payroll deductions for political causes does not violate First Amend. free speech (U.S., rvs), 321
– Restrictive covenant for contractors, legislation enacted, 299
– UI, gov. signs bill to expand eligibility, In Brief, 746

IDENTITY THEFT

– Data security, security breach involving health care employees traced to UHW-W offices, officials confirm, 351
– Labor Outlook 2009, SplSupp (01/29/09)
– Undocumented worker, challenge to whether Mex. citizen accused of illegal entry and using falsified documents for job violated federal criminal law (U.S., rem), 723

IFPTE

See PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL ENGINEERS (IFPTE)

ILLINOIS

– E-Verify creates fight over preemption of state and local immigration laws, Special Report, 616 et seq.
– LMRDA, IUOE Local 150 may sue ex-treasurer for fiduciary duty breach over real estate deal (7th Cir.), 641; (U.S., rev den), 1631
– Misclassifying employees as independent contractors, penalties imposed on contractors under classification law, 1388; Ill. Dep't of Labor plans enforcement actions under new law, 1489
– Preemption

– – Antitrust law, nonunion electrical contractor who sued after losing construction contract to IBEW Local 702 has claim reinstated (7th Cir.), 606
– – Federal safety rule violations, airline mechanic may pursue state law claim for retaliatory discharge for complaining about (Conn. App. Ct.), 61
– – Rest and meal periods, whether NLRA preempts state hotel room attendant law, minimum labor standards challenged (7th Cir.), 1593

– Public employees, unions may obtain certification as bargaining agent through card check or petition process even absent authorizations for dues deduction (Ill.), 21
– Strike

– – Labor dispute disclosure, Chicago City Council declines to act on ordinance, 1694
– – Operating permit, denying to hotel being struck by UNITE Local 1 NLRA violation (N.D. Ill.), 1588

– Temporary labor services may recover attorneys' fees in breach of pact suits, seek state-subsidized health insurance for employees' children, 1388

ILLNESSES

See INJURIES AND ILLNESSES

IMMIGRATION

– Construction, strict enforcement could cause labor shortages, professor says, conference, 858
– E-Verify

See EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION

– Forced labor, deportation warning given to illegal domestic servant, no review over application of criminal statute to couple who warned their housekeeper (U.S., rev den), 100
– Guest workers

See GUEST WORKERS

– Hiring, foreign-born workers, 2007 report, BLS data, 531
– ICE

See IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE)

– Illegal Immig. Enf. and Soc. Sec. Protection Act

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 98

– Job quality eroded due to lack of labor law enforcement, immigrant Latino and low wage workers impacted, report, 1446
– Labor Outlook 2009, SplSupp (01/29/09)
– Latino labor force, impact of recession

– – Job training, math and science degrees, DOL Sec'y Solis urges, Hispanic Caucus, 1527
– – Pew Hispanic Ctr. report, Dec. 2008, 42; Feb. 2009, 302

– Membership in union, immigrants reluctant to join, unequal enforcement of wage and organizing laws, raids, 415
– Problem issues identified, outdated and inadequate laws fail to meet needs, report, 1738
– Reform

– – Action directive on immigration, DHS Sec'y Napolitano issues, includes E-Verify, In Brief, 205; top priorities include immigration law enforcement, Napolitano says, Senate hearing, 766; Napolitano hosts meeting with leaders to discuss comprehensive overhaul, 1372
– – Comprehensive bill, AFL-CIO and CTW unveil plan, 5 points outlined, 589; Obama expected to advance, but does not expect completion this year, Special Report, 654; witnesses discuss future guestworker flows, pathway to citizenship, amnesty provision, Senate panel hearing, 720; independent panel to determine labor market needs for job visas proposed, conference, 857; proposed commission to set future flow of immigrants may result in more offshoring, report, 910; Obama reaffirms commitment to passing bill, 1027; Obama starts policy talks with Congressional members, DOL and DHS secretaries, 1071; business groups skeptical of proposed fed. commission created to determine labor market needs, 1111; Congress urged to act, current system threatens economy, diplomacy and national security, report, 1157; Obama expects bill introduction, but no movement until 2010, 1293; Mayorkas says USCIS is preparing for E-Verify mandate, plans to modernize, launches Public Engagement Office, 1465; Gutierrez (D-Ill.) plans to introduce bill in Oct., 1528; Gutierrez principles include worker protections, labor commn. and updated job verification system, 1674; speakers say limited window exists to pass bill with biometric job verification system, changes to skilled programs, conference, 1682
– – Economic recovery, legalization of undocumented workers would enhance, speakers say, 651; legalizing and instituting guestworker program economically beneficial, study, 1447
– – IRCA

See IMMIGRATION REFORM AND CONTROL ACT (IRCA)

– – “Provisional” visas needed to meet labor market needs, transition to permanent status, report, 1233

– State labor laws, workplace enforcement and other omnibus laws, 2008

– – Legislation enacted in 2008, ESA analysis, 299
– – Natl. Conf. of State Legislatures (NCSL) report, 75; 1st quarter 2009, 698; first half of 2009, 1232

– Undocumented workers

See UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS

– Unemployment rates, immigrants have little impact on joblessness of native-born U.S. workers, IPC study, 870; IPC and Immig. Studies Ctr. release reports with opposing views, 1492
– USCIS

See CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES (USCIS)

– Visas

See VISAS

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE)

– Asst. Sec'y, Obama plans to nominate Morton, 343; Senate confirms Morton, In Brief, 802
– Enforcement

– – Unlawful immigration, ICE has turned tide on, Chertoff says, 71
– – Workers' rights, enforcement efforts undermine efforts to protect, report, 1736

– Raids

– – Bush-era raids disregarded workers' constitutional rights and rule of law, UFCW Comm'n says, 1032
– – DHS urged to formulate coherent policy, conference, 374
– – Membership in union, unequal enforcement discourages immigrants from joining, 415
– – Military and leather goods manufacturer and its president sentenced for INA, FLSA and criminal law violations, ordered to pay fines (D. Mass.), 237
– – Mo. processing plant pays fines to settle charges for hiring undocumented workers (W.D. Mo.), 1518
– – Swift plants, number of native-born workers, wages and bonuses increase after, changes urged, report, 497

IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT (INA)

– ICE raids, military and leather goods manufacturer and its president sentenced for INA, FLSA and criminal law violations, ordered to pay fines (D. Mass.), 237

IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE (INS)

– Enforcement

See now IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE)

– Services

See now CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES (USCIS)

IMMIGRATION REFORM AND CONTROL ACT (IRCA)

– E-Verify creates fight over preemption of state and local immigration laws, Special Report, 616 et seq.

IMMUNITY

– Sovereign

See SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY

IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

See INTERNATIONAL TRADE

INA

See IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT (INA)

INCENTIVES

– Kaiser Permanente announce job cuts in Cal., separation incentives offered, 1332
– Nurse shortages, HHS will provide $13.4M to help pay for student loans and nursing schools, 1339
– Retirement, incentives and education urged to add number of workers who choose rollover rather than lump-sum payment when changing jobs, EBRI report, 151

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS

– Cal. ports clean-trucks program barring independent drivers likely unconstitutional, preempted (9th Cir.), 485; injunction blocking concession agreements issued (C.D. Cal.), 728
– Classification issue is a hot topic, attorneys say, meeting, 105
– Idaho enacts restrictive covenant legislation, 299
– Misclassifications

– – FedEx

See DELIVERY SERVICES

– – FLSA compliance, more scrutiny, enforcement and litigation expected under DOL Sec'y Solis, attorney says, conference, 1143
– – Fluctuating workweek, back pay calculation determined by regular rate of pay based on biweekly salary compensation employees received, Op. Letter, 461
– – Ill. imposes penalties on contractors under state employee classification law, 1388; Ill. Dep't of Labor plans enforcement actions under new law, 1489
– – Md., Gen. Assembly approves bill fining violators, 656; gov. forms task force to target independent contractor misclassifications, 1231
– – Mass. delivery drivers who voted for IBT representation were independent contractors (D.C. Cir.), 683
– – Mo. and Conn., legislation enacted, 299
– – N.J., gov. signs bill imposing penalties on violators, 1195
– – Ohio AG cracks down on violators citing $900M loss to state, 340
– – Taxation, IRC amendment

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3408

INDIANA

– Age bias, gov. signs bill raising maximum age limit for bias claim from 70 to 75, 827
– Gender-based wage bias, gov. signs bill expanding filing options, adopts Ledbetter limitation standard, 1443

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS (IRAs)

– Automatic direct-deposit IRAs proposal included in DOL budget, aimed to increase savings participation rate, 350; Treasury official Iwry outlines features of proposal, 1028

INDONESIA

– Child labor prevention, ILAB offers grants for funding, In Brief, 600

INDUSTRIAL DIVISION (IUE-CWA)

– GM

– – Bankruptcy, union files objection for retirees trying to protect their health and life insurance (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.), 882
– – Delphi, agreement reached on retire health care and pensions, 1408

– Local 301, pact ratified, GE announces plans to relocate battery plant to Schenectady, 1336
– Local 761, pact with GE ratified, 925

INDUSTRIAL WORKERS (IWW)

– Starbucks

– – Minneapolis, ULP charges filed under NLRA §7 for allegedly restricting protected activity rights on behalf of union (NLRB Reg. Dir.), 769; accord approved, no wrongdoing admitted, notices will be posted in stores (NLRB Reg. Dir.), 933
– – N.Y.C., restricting activity on behalf of union and firing workers for supporting union were ULPs (NLRB ALJ), 58; ULP charges settled (NLRB Reg. Dir.), 162

INFLUENZA

– Aerosol transmissible disease

– – Cal/OSHA Bd. approves, 860; hearing held, compliance deadline Aug. 5, 1186; Cal. Office of Admin. Law approves standard, 1187
– – OSHA standard urged by Miller (D-Calif.), hearing, 777; OSHA plans to propose standard, use general duty clause to enforce CDC guidance, Barab says, 777

– AFL-CIO survey, 649
– Swine flu (H1N1)

See H1N1 VIRUS

INFORMATION NETWORKS AND TECHNOLOGY

– Affiliated Computer Servs. challenges representation election of CWA Local 1102 by N.Y. customer service employees, 1172
– Sun Microsystems will layoff 3K employees as part of sale to Oracle, In Brief, 1709
– United Techs., job cuts announced as part of restructuring effort, 392
– Xerox

– – Pension, challenge to whether calculation methods violate ERISA actuarial equivalence requirement (U.S., invitation to file brief), 365
– – Retaliation, filing grievance disputing overtime distribution not protected activity, no Title VII, N.Y. HR Law claim (W.D.N.Y.), 1676

INFRASTRUCTURE

– ARRA spending, CRS reports on job creation estimates, explains model limitations, lack of data for green jobs sector, 1273
– Economic outlook, infrastructure key to job growth, job crisis severe, recovery slow, speakers say, conference, 1723
– Water Infrastructure Financing Act

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 1005

INJUNCTIONS

– Flight attendant scheduling disagreement ruled minor dispute under RLA subject to arbitration, injunction overturned (9th Cir.), 935
– H-2A visa program, UFW bid to postpone DOL rule denied, economic loss not irreparable harm (D.D.C.), 176
– NLRA §10(j)

– – Nursing homes

– – – Bargaining order against owner committing ULP upheld, SEIU strikers ordering reinstatement upheld (2d Cir.), 849
– – – Recognition of union, §10(j) injunction issued ordering recognition of SEIU Healthcare Mich. (E.D. Mich.), 602; settlement approved (NLRB Reg. Dir.), 1299
– – – Supervisor's interrogation, threats, firing of pro-union workers likely ULPs, NLRB bid for interim order granted (N.D. Ill.), 812; recognition, bargaining ordered (NLRB), 1473

– – Recognition of union

– – – CNA, NLRB files petition seeking injunction against hospital for withdrawing recognition (E.D. Cal.), 399; injunction ordered granting CNA recognition (E.D. Cal.), 601; hospital ordered to bargain (NLRB ALJ), 771; hospital ordered to recognize CNA as representative (NLRB), 1417
– – – IBEW Local 131, withdrawal unlawful when reassignment combined represented and unrepresented workers, injunction denied (W.D. Mich.), 813
– – – IBT, injunction issued against wholesaler for failing to recognize IBT, outsourcing and hiring violations (D. Conn.), 160; successor unlawfully refused to hire IBT-affiliated workers (NLRB), 1591
– – – Nursing home, §10(j) injunction issued ordering recognition of SEIU Healthcare Mich. (E.D. Mich.), 602; settlement approved (NLRB Reg. Dir.), 1299
– – – UFCW, food distributor that withdrew recognition ordered to bargain while NLRB resolves ULP charges (D. Minn.), 1374
– – – UMWA, subsidiary ordered to hire 85 miners pending NLRB's ULP ruling, court's refusal to order recognition, bargaining affirmed (S.D.W. Va.), 1094; subsidiary ordered to cease and desist ULPs, hire, recognize, bargain with union (NLRB), 1587

– United Healthcare Workers-West (UHW-W), TRO issued ordering former leaders to return information and property took when SEIU put local in trusteeship (N.D. Cal.), 603; injunction ordering former UHW-W officers to return key documents and data granted (N.D. Cal.), 1205
– USAPA must bargain in good faith for single pact including arbitrated seniority list, represent former America West pilots equally (D. Ariz.), 1219

INJURIES AND ILLNESSES

See also specific injuries and illnesses
– Asbestosis rate not decreasing despite years of regulation, NIOSH study, 34
– Cancer, formaldehyde exposure increases risk for industrial workers, study, 903
– Combustible dust explosions and fire at sugar refinery preventable, CSB report finds, 1560
– “Considerably higher” rates, OSHA notifies employers with, 649
– Family leave benefits in U.S. detailed, CRS report, 990
– Fatalities

See FATALITIES

– Heat illness prevention, Cal/OSHA shutdown five farm labor contractors for violating rules, 901; Cal/OSHA fails to pass revised standard, 1226; Cal/OSHA shutdown two San Joaquin Valley farm labor operations, 1689
– Influenza

See INFLUENZA

– Inspections, OSHA plans to inspect high-hazard site-specific workplaces, 980; manufacturing sites and nursing homes included in Site-Specific Targeting (SST) program, 1426
– Job-related injuries and illnesses understated, AFL-CIO urges more enforcement, funding and staffing, 693
– Leave for family

See FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE
– – FMLA

See FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT (FMLA)

– Musculoskeletal

See MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS

– Nanotechnology

– – Nanoparticle exposure linked to human toxicity, NIOSH questions findings, 1384
– – Proactive risk management to combat work exposure, NIOSH urges, 1383

– OSHA

See OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA)

– Out-of-pocket co-payments for medications, number of patients delaying treatment for chronic illness increasing, study, 748
– Recordkeeping, OSHA plans launch of national emphasis program in Aug., economist says, 1225; OSHA launches program, 1602
– Swine flu (H1N1)

See H1N1 VIRUS

– Workers' compensation

See WORKERS' COMPENSATION

– Wounded Vet. Job Sec. Act

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 466

INS (IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE)

– Enforcement

See now IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE)

– Services

See now CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES (USCIS)

INSPECTORS GENERAL (OIG)

– Colgan Air, Senators seek probe of FAA small carrier regulations and whether fatigue and lack of pilot training caused crash, 859
– PBGC, Senators urge continuation of probe into former director Millard's investments, contracts, 801
– Semiannual report, agenda includes oversight of DOL spending, safety and health, Job Corps, procurement integrity, foreign labor certification programs, legislative recommendations, 887

INSURANCE

– Health

See HEALTH INSURANCE
– – Retirees

See RETIREE HEALTH BENEFITS

– Life

See LIFE INSURANCE

– Unemployment

See UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS)

– Cafeteria plan rules, release delayed, benefit attorney says, conference, 1647
– 401(k) plans

– – Automatic enrollment, final regulation implementing PPA issued, In Brief, 320
– – Fair Disclosure and Pension Sec. Act

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2989

– GINA, interim final rules cross-referencing temporary rules issued, 1585

INTERNATIONAL LABOR

– Alien Tort Claims Act

See ALIEN TORT CLAIMS ACT (ATCA)

– Canada

See CANADA
– – Auto union

See CANADIAN AUTO WORKERS (CAW)

– China

See CHINA

– Employing workers indicator, World Bank stops using to rate countries business climates, revision planned, 743
– Forced or indentured child labor, DOL seeks comments on updated labor products list requiring federal contractor certification, 1466
– G-20 summit leaders agree to promote job growth through training programs and economic policies, DOL Sec'y to convene meeting with nations' labor ministers in early 2010, 1562
– Global economy

– – All-China Fed'n of Trade Unions and CTW leaders sign communications/dialogue agreement, 1400
– – Private equity firms, SEIU and European labor groups urge global regulation and disclosure requirements, new standards proposed, 258

– Global unemployment rates

– – ILO revises upward, Global Trends report, 2009, 909
– – Stimulus measures helped save 7M-11M jobs worldwide, ILO head says, 1527

– Globally Harmonized Sys. of Classification and Labeling of Chems., OSHA rule sent to OMB regulatory office for review, 902; OSHA proposes rule to align with hazard communication standard, 1604
– Health care system, cost and performance put U.S. firms at a competitive disadvantage compared to global competitors, report, 458
– Multinational firms

– – Mediation, panelists say firms are considering the benefits of dispute resolution, 106
– – U.S. corporations in 2007 increased jobs, but global workforce share fell, BEA, 1382

– OECD ministers say policy responses to job crisis should avoid labor supply cuts and focus on future job skills, 1607
– Open trade policies, pros include better working conditions, pay and rights, panelist says, 1387
– Small business job rates in U.S. among lowest compared to other countries, report, 1321
– Taxes on wage earners in 2007-2008 compared across nations in OECD annual report, 830
– Third-party beneficiaries, foreign employees claim that retailer liable for suppliers failure to comply with local labor laws rejected (9th Cir.), 1138
– Torture Victim Protection Act

See TORTURE VICTIM PROTECTION ACT (TVPA)

– Women, economic crisis could cause 22M female workers worldwide to lose jobs, ILO warns, 459
– WTO

See WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

– Canada, Buy Am. clause in U.S. stimulus bill will spur protectionism and kill jobs, Canadian envoy tells Senate leaders, trade minister eyes possible steel exemption, 259; OMB issues guidance, In Brief, 682; Canadian and U.S. trade officials discuss easing Buy Am. requirements, 1467; business groups say provisions are hindering projects, jobs and endangering exports, 1692
– Enforcement efforts aimed at saving and creating jobs, USTR Rep. Kirk unveils, 1190
– Federal procurement, stimulus package expands Berry Amend. to create textile and apparel jobs, 319
– Foreign investors acquisitions and impact on economy, BEA outlines plans for redesigned survey, 1414
– FTA

See FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS (FTAs)

– Global fair deal, AFL-CIO delegates approve, convention, 1480
– NAFTA

See NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA)

– New agenda, Bush administration's failed trade policy should not deter Obama administration, interest groups say, 1563
– Open trade policies, pros include better working conditions, pay and rights, panelist says, 1387
– TAA

See TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE (TAA)

INTERNET

– E-mail

See E-MAIL

– Electronic filing

See ELECTRONIC FILING

– Electronic monitoring

See ELECTRONIC MONITORING

– Executive pay, PayWatch website highlights 10 case studies of worst CEO pay practices, 622
– NLRB posts guidance videos to website, In Brief, 1176
– Representation elections, NMB seeks comments on whether to let participants post hyperlinks to voting website, 1551
– SEIU hotline and website set up to aid small business owners and workers facing closures, job losses, 801
– Unemployment LifeLine website launched by Working Am. and AFL-CIO, gives data about local job aid resources, 594

INTERVIEWS

– AFL-CIO Pres. Sweeney discusses EFCA, disaffiliation, organizing, politics, post-retirement plans, 1429
– Applicants

See HIRING

INVESTIGATIONS

– Independent safety trainers, OSHA develops new procedure aimed to probe fraud and abuse, 901
– PBGC IG asked by Senators to continue probe of former director Millard's investments, contracts, 801
– Wage and Hour Div.'s complaint intake and investigative processes leave low wage workers vulnerable to wage theft, GAO report, 509

INVESTMENTS

– Target date or life-cycle funds, 25% of 401(k) plan participants hold assets, EBRI/ICI study, 2007, 75

IOWA

– Minimum wage, enterprises with gross sales or business less than $300K exempt, 299
– Misclassifying drivers as independent contractors may circumvent worker protections, result in uncollected tax revenues, state AGs say, 1042
– Statute of limitations on pay bias, gov. signs bill, liquidated damages allowed, 745

IPA

See PILOTS (IPA)

IRAs

See INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS (IRAs)

IRCA

See IMMIGRATION REFORM AND CONTROL ACT (IRCA)

IRON WORKERS (IW)

– Local 27, steel firm required to contribute to trust fund for every hour employees paid, not every hour employees actually worked (D. Utah), 895

IRS

See INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS)

IT (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)

See INFORMATION NETWORKS AND TECHNOLOGY