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Full-Text Articles in Law
Timeliness In The Unemployment Compensation Appeals Process: The Need For Increased Federal Oversight, Sharon M. Dietrich, Cynthia L. Rice
Timeliness In The Unemployment Compensation Appeals Process: The Need For Increased Federal Oversight, Sharon M. Dietrich, Cynthia L. Rice
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Anecdotal evidence suggests that during the recession of 1989-1992, unemployment insurance claimants suffered unprecedented delays in the receipt of their benefits. Advocates reported that claimants who were initially denied benefits suffered delays of months, and even years, before the state administrative appeals process resolved their claims. Although federal law establishes timeliness standards for processing appeals, many states did not meet those standards. In this Article, the Authors discuss and analyze the results of a nationwide review of state compliance with federal timeliness standards. They then assess the state and federal responses to the increased number of unemployment insurance claims and …
Salvaging The Opportunity: A Response To Professor Clark, Michael J. Yelnosky
Salvaging The Opportunity: A Response To Professor Clark, Michael J. Yelnosky
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
In this Article, Professor Yelnosky responds to Professor Clark's critique of his previous article, Filling an Enforcement Void: Using Testers to Uncover and Remedy Discrimination in Hiring for Lower-Skilled, Entry-Level Jobs. Professor Yelnosky first clarifies that Professor Clark has adopted several of the points Professor Yelnosky originally made in his earlier article. He then responds to the portions of Professor Clark's article that challenge his prior conclusions. He builds on and defends his previous arguments that: (1) testing is best suited to uncover hiring discrimination for lower-skilled jobs; (2) disincentives to bringing tester lawsuits make it unwise to rely …
Improving Handicappers' Civil Rights In Michigan--Preventing Discrimination Through Accommodation, Aldebaran Bouse Enloe
Improving Handicappers' Civil Rights In Michigan--Preventing Discrimination Through Accommodation, Aldebaran Bouse Enloe
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Part I of this Note explains the development of· the current state of handicappers' civil rights law in Michigan, beginning with legislative initiatives and progressing to administrative and judicial decisions. Part II analyzes traditional antidiscrimination theory and suggests how that theory can be adapted to handicappers. By examining hypothetical situations, Part III exposes the disparity between the current state of the law in Michigan and the proposed theoretical analysis and suggests amendments to the MHCRA to reconcile this disparity.
Nonmajority Bargaining Orders: The Only Effective Remedy For Pervasive Employer Unfair Labor Practices During Union Organizing Campaigns, David S. Shillman
Nonmajority Bargaining Orders: The Only Effective Remedy For Pervasive Employer Unfair Labor Practices During Union Organizing Campaigns, David S. Shillman
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Current Board policy forbids issuing a bargaining order in this situation, where there is no objective evidence of majority support for a union, even though the bargaining ·order may be the only effective remedy for extreme employer unfair labor practices. The Board's refusal to issue nonmajority bargaining orders (NMBOs), grounded in its fear of imposing a union on unwilling employees, has left it impotent to remedy the most severe employer unfair labor practices. This Note examines arguments for and against the Board's use of NMBOs and concludes that NMBOs are within the scope of the Board's remedial powers and should …
A Proposal For Extension Of The Occupational Safety And Health Act To Indian-Owned Businesses On Reservations, Maureen M. Crough
A Proposal For Extension Of The Occupational Safety And Health Act To Indian-Owned Businesses On Reservations, Maureen M. Crough
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This Note argues that the Act does not apply to Indian businesses because it does not specifically mention them. While sensitive to the desirability of providing certain kinds of federal protections to all Americans, this Note takes the position that the sovereignty of Indian tribes should not be abrogable except by considered and express congressional action. Concluding nonetheless that the workplace protection the Occupational Safety and Health Act provides should be extended to Indians on reservations, the Note proposes amendment of the Act: to extend its protection; to permit tribal enforcement; and to authorize the federal government to help financially …
Reforming The Immigration And Nationality Act: Labor Certification, Adjustment Of Status, The Reach Of Deportation, And Entry By Fraud, Elwin Griffith
Reforming The Immigration And Nationality Act: Labor Certification, Adjustment Of Status, The Reach Of Deportation, And Entry By Fraud, Elwin Griffith
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This Article will consider some of the controversial sections of the INA and the impact of the pending immigration legislation. Part I considers the labor certification requirement, a prerequisite for third and sixth preference immigrants. This Part concludes that clarification of the division of authority between the Attorney General and the Secretary of Labor, and of the intent of aliens to keep their certified jobs, would be desirable. Part II analyzes the requirements an alien must meet to adjust status to one, of the occupational preferences. The statutory refusal to adjust status of aliens who accept ''unauthorized employment" must be …
Resolving The Problem Of Undocumented Workers In American Society: A Model Guest Worker Statute, Marjorie E. Powell
Resolving The Problem Of Undocumented Workers In American Society: A Model Guest Worker Statute, Marjorie E. Powell
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This Note argues that a temporary foreign worker program is needed to alleviate the effects of illegal immigration. Part I describes the problems that illegal aliens present and discusses the interests of the groups affected by their presence in the United States. Part II discusses the inability of forced repatriation, amnesty, closing the border, or employer sanctions to satisfy these interests. Part II also discusses the undesirability of ignoring the problem of illegal aliens. Part III explains how a program for admission of temporary foreign workers best meets the interests of domestic employers, domestic and foreign workers, sending countries, and …
Protection Against Unjust Discharge: The Need For A Federal Statute, Jack Stieber, Michael Murray
Protection Against Unjust Discharge: The Need For A Federal Statute, Jack Stieber, Michael Murray
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
We argue that only a federal statute can fully protect American workers from the harsh consequences of the employment-at-will rule. Part I of this Article outlines the nature and scope of the problems caused by the at-will doctrine. Part II surveys a variety of potential solutions to these problems - unionism, voluntary internal grievance mechanisms, existing statutes, the Constitution, and judicially created exceptions to the at-will rule - and finds each an inadequate source of protection. The final Part urges the enactment of a federal statute to protect all American workers from unjust dicharge and sets out several substantive criteria …
Employment Problems Of The Handicapped: Would Title Vii Remedies Be Appropriate And Effective?, Cornelius J. Peck
Employment Problems Of The Handicapped: Would Title Vii Remedies Be Appropriate And Effective?, Cornelius J. Peck
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This Article argues that the employment problems of the handicapped are not well-suited for treatment under a statutory discrimination model. Underlying this argument is the belief that the concept of discrimination is not adaptable to the problems of the handicapped, and efforts to apply it will only worsen existing problems. Part I begins by defining the meaning of discrimination, and then explores the similarities and differences between discrimination against the handicapped, and discrimination based on race, sex, religion, and national origin. The purpose of this discussion is to provide a basic framework for understanding claims that the handicapped should be …
Reforming At-Will Employment Law: A Model Statute, Liana Gioia, Per Ramford
Reforming At-Will Employment Law: A Model Statute, Liana Gioia, Per Ramford
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Effective relief for at-will employees can only be achieved through statutory reform. Although specific legislation has been proposed on the federal
Employment-At-Will Doctrine: Providing A Public Policy Exception To Improve Worker Safety, Daniel T. Schibley
Employment-At-Will Doctrine: Providing A Public Policy Exception To Improve Worker Safety, Daniel T. Schibley
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Occupational safety would be greatly enhanced if employees had a viable option of refusing to work under unsafe conditions without risking their jobs. This Note proposes a public policy exception to the employment-at-will doctrine that would give a cause of action to an employee discharged for refusing to work under unsafe conditions. Part I examines the employment-at-will rule and its recognized exceptions. Part II analyzes the inadequacies of existing statutory remedies for a discharged employee who refused to work under unsafe conditions. Finally, Part III proposes an alternative remedy: providing a common-law exception to the employment-at-will rule that will give …
A Right Of Fair Dismissal: Enforcing A Statutory Guarantee, Janice R. Bellace
A Right Of Fair Dismissal: Enforcing A Statutory Guarantee, Janice R. Bellace
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Support for the concept that employees should be protected against wrongful dismissal continues to grow in this country. Yet, many advocates of protection have thus far refrained from venturing into the legislative arena. Even though the movement to achieve this protection is still at an early stage, it is not too soon to focus on specific proposals designed to translate ideals into protections. By failing to coalesce behind a single proposal, supporters have retarded the progress of the movement. Without a proposal for specific legislation, supporters lack a rallying point and legislators have nothing concrete to debate. This Article attempts …
Employment Discrimination Against The Overweight, Karol V. Mason
Employment Discrimination Against The Overweight, Karol V. Mason
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Part I of the Note discusses the existence of employment discrimination against the overweight and the significance of the problem it poses. Part II examines existing employment discrimination legislation to discern what protection is currently available to the overweight. Finally, part III concludes that present laws are inadequate to protect overweight persons from employment discrimination. The Note argues for the passage of legislation designating weight as a classification protected from employment discrimination, and prohibiting the use of weight standards unrelated to job performance. Such legislation is necessary to allow the growing number of overweight Americans the opportunity to compete equally …
A Proposal For Apportioning Damages In Fair Representation Suits, Kenneth B. Mcclain
A Proposal For Apportioning Damages In Fair Representation Suits, Kenneth B. Mcclain
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Apportionment of damages in fair representation suits represents one of the most unsettled issues in labor law today. Although the Supreme Court has attempted to establish a single "governing principle" for apportioning damages, lower courts have read this principle as authorizing two divergent standards for apportionments. Part I of this article traces the evolution from the Court's original standard presented in Vaca v. Sipes through two subsequent applications of that standard: the Czosek v. O'Mara standard, which interpreted Vaca as placing the bulk of damages on the employer, and Justice Stewart's standard taken from his concurrence in Hines v. Anchor …
Advance Notice Of Plant Closings: Toward National Legislation, Joseph A. Cipparone
Advance Notice Of Plant Closings: Toward National Legislation, Joseph A. Cipparone
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This article advocates the adoption of national legislation requiring advance notice for plants closed or relocated for ostensibly economic reasons. Part I discusses the magnitude of the plant closing problem, focusing upon the costs associated with such closings, the types of assistance available for terminated workers, and the inadequacies of current relief efforts. Parts II and III examine the arguments for and against requiring advance notice of plant closings, and conclude that such a requirement represents sound public policy. Part IV proposes a complete model advance notice statute. The model statute establishes minimum requirements for a viable advance notice system, …
Employee Stock Ownership Plans: An Analysis Of Current Reform Proposals, Luis L. Granados
Employee Stock Ownership Plans: An Analysis Of Current Reform Proposals, Luis L. Granados
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This article surveys the battle between the critics and advocates of the ESOP, and scrutinizes various proposals currently being considered in the legislative arena. Part I examines the philosophy and history of the ESOP, particularly focusing upon the conceptual foundations provided by the writings of Louis Kelso. Part II explicates the various functions performed by the ESOP: as a tool of corporate finance, as an "in-house" market for the sale of stock held by a company's shareholders, and as a means of obtaining additional investment tax credit. Part III analyzes critically six proposed improvements of the ESOP system from both …
Birth Defects Caused By Parental Exposure To Workplace Hazards: The Interface Of Title Vii With Osha And Tort Law, Lynne Darcy
Birth Defects Caused By Parental Exposure To Workplace Hazards: The Interface Of Title Vii With Osha And Tort Law, Lynne Darcy
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
This article will examine the problem of workers' exposure to toxic substances that affect human reproductive functions in light of the applicable legal framework provided by tort law, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA), and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. What employers may do to deal with this problem under existing law, and possible resolutions of some apparent conflicts between the underlying purposes of these laws, will also be delineated. It is the position of this article that the competing interests of employers, workers, and workers' offspring must be harmonized not by excluding …
Guidelines For Alleviating Local-Emergency Work Disruptions, Joshua Greene
Guidelines For Alleviating Local-Emergency Work Disruptions, Joshua Greene
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
The first section of this article summarizes the vast differences between the rights of public and private employees to strike. The second section focuses on likely obstacles to a governmental suit to enjoin shutdowns in the broadest segment of American private industry-the segment in which labor relations are governed by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The final section of the article suggests a legislative solution to the problem, fashioned after existing statutory remedies for limiting certain strikes by public employees.
New York Minimum Wage Act For Migrant Workers, Karen E. Kuntz
New York Minimum Wage Act For Migrant Workers, Karen E. Kuntz
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
The abject state in which most migrant workers in this country exist has recently become a matter of national concern. The increasing stridency of the migrants, personified by César Chavez in California, has resulted in recognition of the need for legislative assistance to rescue them from their plight. The migrant worker is unable to help himself, being burdened by a low annual income and an education level of only eight and a half years in school. In New York, the migrant's situation is aggravated by the powerful position of the crew leader or "farm labor contractor," who often determines workers' …
Industrial Health And Safety: The Need For Extended Federal Regulation, J. Michael Harrison
Industrial Health And Safety: The Need For Extended Federal Regulation, J. Michael Harrison
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
It is the purpose of this article to raise and answer these questions: (1) Is the current level of injury frequency on the job unsatisfactory? (2) If so, can this level of injury frequency be reduced through more effective industrial safety regulation? (3) To what extent and for what reasons have existing regulatory programs, both public and private, succeeded in reducing frequency rates? (4) In what manner, if at all, should the Federal Government extend its regulation of industrial safety? An affirmative answer to the first two questions is preliminary to the other inquiries. It will be worthwhile to proceed …
Union Political Involvement And Reform Of Campaign Financing Regulation, George P. Macdonald
Union Political Involvement And Reform Of Campaign Financing Regulation, George P. Macdonald
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
The spiraling costs of political campaigns 5 and the continuing significant role played by unions and corporations in the financing of those campaigns call for an examination of section 610's efficacy as a prohibitory statute. This article will focus on the use of labor union funds in the financial aspects of national politics. It will first discuss the loopholes in section 610: those loopholes created through narrow judicial interpretation of the statute and those resulting from its imprecise drafting. Particular emphasis will be placed upon an analysis of the sources of funds available to unions for political activities and the …
Wage Garnishment Should Be Prohibited, William T. Kerr
Wage Garnishment Should Be Prohibited, William T. Kerr
University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
Historically, the statutory treatment of wage garnishment among the states has been characterized primarily by its diversity. Although most states exempt a specified amount of a man's wage from the reach of his creditors, the dollar levels of these exemptions are as various as the methods chosen to compute the amount to be exempted. In addition, legislators, some union spokesmen and some legal commentators have become increasingly aware of the role of wage garnishment in the "debtor-spiral" of easy credit, discharge from employment, bankruptcy and welfare. Inevitably this spiral involves a disproportionate impact on the poor. Impelled by these concerned …