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�Where There�s Smoke, There�s Fire!� An Update on Tobacco Cases Employment Law Bulletin: California Supreme Court Okays Arbitration of Employment Disputes |
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November 2000 - The Consumer Advocacy Group�s actions against hotels has been continuing for two years now. As you may know, Proposition 65 (The Safe Drinking Water and Enforcement Act of 1986) requires businesses of 10 or more employees to provide �clear and reasonable� warnings, prior to exposing individuals to certain chemicals at significant (very minute) risk levels. If the required warnings are not given, the penalty can be $2,500 per day, per violation. The plaintiffs have leveraged the prospect of Proposition 65 fines and penalties in a cynical manner and allege violations of Proposition 65 due to exposure to tobacco smoke. JMBM has been in the thick of these cases � litigating if necessary, settling as appropriate, and providing comprehensive compliance advice to minimize exposure to penalties and future actions. We are actively participating in the ad hoc defense group formed around the cases filed in Los Angeles and we are resolving several cases filed in San Francisco. Plaintiffs have also filed cases in San Francisco to avoid the impact of the Los Angeles court-ordered stay on proceedings while plaintiffs appeal an initial ruling throwing out the cases first filed. If your hotel has been lucky enough to avoid a 60-day notice of intent to sue letter from the Consumer Advocacy Group, Inc., or others, don�t be lulled into complacency. Notwithstanding JMBM�s favorable trial court rulings, the plaintiffs remain undeterred, and new cases are being filed weekly. It is highly likely that your hotel will be targeted eventually as it appears the plaintiffs have become familiar with the many hotel directories and listings. We recommend that each of your facilities promptly conduct a Proposition
65 compliance evaluation. First, review the requirements of Proposition
65. It is codified at California
Health and Safety Code section 25249.5 et seq. Second, obtain
compliance assistance from experts to provide �clear and reasonable� warnings.
Employment Law Bulletin: of Employment Disputes In a landmark decision, the California Supreme Court addressed the enforceability of agreements to arbitrate employment claims. Although the Court in Armendariz v. Foundation Health Psychcare Services, Inc. found the arbitration agreement at issue to be unenforceable, it authorized the use of arbitration agreements by California employers so long as they meet certain procedural safeguards. This is good news for California employers in the labor-intensive hospitality industry, who can now require their employees to arbitrate all employment-related claims (including claims of employment discrimination) and avoid risky jury verdicts. However, the Court emphasized that there must be a written agreement with safeguards to ensure fairness. At a minimum, arbitration agreements must:
Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro's Labor & Employment Department
would be happy to evaluate your existing arbitration agreements or assist
you in the preparation of new ones.
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Visit Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro LLP�s web site: http://www.jmbm.com Email Jim Butler at [email protected] Or contact Jim Butler at the Firm Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro LLP 2121 Avenue of the Stars Los Angeles, CA 90067 Phone: 310-201-3526 |
Also See: | California Hotel Legal Alert: 60-Day Notices and Claims under Prop. 65 / JMBM / Dec 1998 |
Recent California Supreme Court Ruling: Wages Due for "Non-Working" Employees / JMBM / Aug 2000 | |
Special Reports / Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro LLP |