#1 Delta Airlines Settles with Flight Attendants for $16MLos Angeles, CA - After almost a decade, Delta Airlines has reached an agreement with its flight attendants. The workers told a California federal judge that a nearly $16 million settlement, which will end their California Labor Code and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims, should be approved because that amount will give California-based Delta flight attendants almost full reimbursement.
#2 Apple Proposes $95 million to Settle Siri SnoopingOakland, CA - Apple has filed in federal court a proposed $95 million payout to settle claims that Siri—Apple’s digital assistant— recorded owners' conversations without consent (after they activated Siri unintentionally) and allowed third-party contractors—such as advertisers—to listen in. The settlement could include anyone who owned a Siri-equipped device, such as the iPhone and Apple watch. Reuters reported that the class period began when Siri incorporated the "Hey, Siri" feature that allegedly led to the unauthorized recordings.
#3 Hair Relaxer Litigation and Proposed Legislation Increases AwarenessQueens, NY - A recent awareness event held in Queens brought together dozens of women to discuss the possible link between hair relaxers and serious health issues, including reproductive cancer. A panel of women also addressed more product label transparency, particularly warning labels regarding harmful chemicals that are found in hair straighteners.
#4 CA Atty General Files Criminal Charges in Wage Theft CaseLos Angeles, CA - On November 26, Rob Bonta, California’s Attorney General, announced that his office had filed 31 criminal charges and two enhancements against US Framing West and two employees for multiple violations of California labor laws. US Framing allegedly underpaid its workers by roughly $40,000 at a public works project in Cathedral City. The criminal charges cite the company for grand theft, payroll tax evasion, prevailing wage theft, filing false documents with the State, and failing to pay more than $2.5 million in state payroll taxes during this period.
#5 Apple Faces Unequal Pay LawsuitLos Angeles, CA - A former Apple executive has filed a California labor complaint against Apple and Jay Blahnik, the company's vice president of fitness technologies. Mandana Mofidi accuses Apple of retaliation after she reported sexual harassment and raised concerns about receiving less pay than her male colleagues.
#6 Bronson Healthcare to Settle Excessive Fee ERISA LawsuitKalamazoo, MI - Bronson Healthcare and participants in the Bronson Healthcare Group, Inc. 403(b) Tax Sheltered Matching Plan have agreed in principle to settle a proposed class action ERISA lawsuit. The lawsuit focused on the fiduciaries’ decision to include the actively-managed Fidelity Freedom Fund in the plan’s investment portfolio. Details of the proposed settlement have not been disclosed.
#7 Apple Employee files Privacy LawsuitSanta Clara, CA - An Apple employee has filed a California labor PAGA lawsuit accusing the tech giant of harmful workplace policies by spying on its workers and violating workers’ privacy rights via their personal iCloud accounts and non-work devices. This lawsuit isn’t the first complaint about Apple’s ability to access workers’ private information but it details how company policies can make you subject to surveillance.
#8 Just Say NOzempicSanta Clara, CA - As the list of side effects from Ozempic and similar weight loss drugs lengthens, celebrities are quitting the GLP-1 drugs. It's a no-brainer: would you risk blindness, stomach paralysis, suicidal thoughts and more serious health issues to lose 20 pounds? And gain the weight back once you stop taking the drug? And lose your good looks?
#9 Exactech Files BankruptcySanta Clara, CA - Exactech has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The medical device manufacturer will sell its assets to investors due to "unsustainable liabilities associated with knee and hip litigation related to the packaging recalls we voluntarily initiated between 2021 and 2022.” However, lawyers advise plaintiffs who have filed defective Exactech knee and hip implants not to panic because insurance and assets are available to victims in bankruptcy.
#10 Walgreens Settles Call Center Workers' Unpaid OT SuitChicago, IL - A lawsuit filed in late 2021 by former Walgreeens call center workers has been settled. The plaintiffs claimed they, and other customer service representatives, were required to work without compensation before and after their shifts, such as starting up and logging into computer systems. Working off-the-clock is in violation of state and federal wage laws.
