San Francisco, CA On November 21, Casey Denning and Natalia Cole filed a lawsuit on behalf of themselves and similarly situated cannabis workers alleging that harvesting company Loud Buddha LLC and Pura Cali Management Corp, a cultivation contractor hired by Loud Buddha, violated provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the California labor code. The Complaint claims that the employers forced them to work long hours in oppressive conditions without providing overtime pay, meal breaks, or accurate wage statements.
Oakland, CA The Dignity Health ERISA lawsuit has been exhaustively litigated since 2013, but now appears close to settlement. The proposed settlement in Rollins v. Dignity Health, which still requires final approval by the Northern District of California, would require Dignity Health to add $50 million in retirement plan funding in 2020 and at least $50 million in 2021. In addition, Dignity Health must not reduce participants’ accrued benefits because of a plan merger or amendment for 10 years. Dignity Health has also promised to fund the plan until 2024, making the minimum contribution recommended by actuaries to the plan.
Santa Clara, CA Since the small pharmacy Valisure waved the red flag over Zantac cancer risk, over 40 countries worldwide have stopped sales and/or began investigating the possible health risks of the heartburn drug. And Zantac lawsuits have followed. Now the FDA says it is “investigating”. Read More
Maui, HI— A sign on a Maui road reads “Monsanto Evil Seed of Corporate Greed.” As for Monsanto’s advertisements such as “It Begins with a Farmer,” illustrated with healthy tillers of the soil and carrying messages such as “A Mother’s Love Begins with a Farmer,” it seems like many people in Hawaii aren’t buying into it.
Santa Clara, CA A California labor lawsuit accusing McDonald’s of underpaying thousands of workers has settled for $26 million. The wage theft class action claims that the fast-food giant used a timekeeping system that cheated workers out of overtime, barred workers from taking rest breaks during their shifts and forced workers to clean and iron their uniforms out of pocket.
San Francisco, CA On October 30 a California state appellate court denied an effort by TWC Dealer Group to compel former employees to arbitrate violations of California labor law including race and age discrimination, wage violations and wrongful termination. The takeaway for workers forced to arbitrate is a lesson in what constitutes an unconscionable contract.
Santa Clara, CA Disneyland workers on November 4 got the green light to settle their California overtime class action lawsuit, but a federal judge needs “further convincing” before approving one-third of the $2 million settlement for attorney fees.
