Hunter Pyle presents at Annual Wage and Hour Seminar in Pasadena
On May 17, 2019, Hunter Pyle spoke at and moderated a panel that was part of the California Employment Lawyers Association’s 15th Annual Wage and Hour Seminar in Pasadena, California. The
panel’s title was “Your Best Defense is a Good Offense”, and its focus was on defeating the dirty tricks that defendants sometimes use in wage and hour class actions. Hunter focused his remarks on reverse auctions, the practice whereby defendants try to undermine class actions by settling another case and then using that settlement to bar a case that is further along. For more information, please feel free to email Hunter at hunter@hunterpylelaw.com.
Solano County Judge Grants Final Approval to Class Action Settlement
On April 4, 2019, the Honorable D. Scott Daniels granted final approval to a class action settlement brought on behalf of a group of workers at the Valero Benicia Refinery. The attorneys at Hunter Pyle Law represented those workers, who claimed that they were not paid for time spent commuting from the front gate of the refinery to their worksites. They also were not paid for time spent putting on and taking off (also known as “donning and doffing”) their protective gear. Checks should go out to the workers in approximately 30 days.
The attorneys at Hunter Pyle Law are proud to represent working men and women throughout California. If you have questions about your rights on the job, please feel free to contact us for a free and confidential intake process. We can be reached at (510) 444-4400 or inquire@hunterpylelaw.com.
Judge Grants Class Certification in Truck Drivers’ Class Action
On October 30, 2018, the Honorable Elihu Berle presiding in Department 6 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, granted class certification in a case brought by Hunter Pyle Law on behalf of a group of truck drivers who work for JBA Trucking Co. The plaintiffs in the case are Humberto Alvarez, Jesus Ortega, and Craig Waters.
Hunter Pyle selected as Co-Chair of CELA Wage and Hour Committee
Hunter Pyle has been selected as a co-chair of the Wage and Hour Committee of the California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA). Here is a description of the committee’s role:
[The Wage and Hour Committee] provides resources to members to enable them to effectively pursue wage and hour claims on behalf of their clients. The committee educates members about class action litigation and works closely with the Amicus Committee to avoid negative published opinions and support positive published opinions. The committee also networks with other associations, legal groups and public agencies who may be involved in wage and hour litigation or legislation.
Hunter is proud member of CELA, a statewide organization of over 1,000 California attorneys who represent employees in individual employment cases and class actions, including cases involving wage theft, harassment, retaliation and whistleblowing. Additionally, for decades, CELA has filed briefs and argued as amicus curiae in many landmark employment law cases.
Hunter Pyle to present at Workers’ Rights Disability Law Clinic
On October 2, 2018, Hunter Pyle will give the following presentation: State and Federal Employment Protections for Workers with Disabilities. This presentation will be made as part of Legal Aid at Work’s Workers’ Rights Disability Law Clinic.
California Supreme Court Sides with Bus Drivers in Unanimous Decision
On August 20, 2018, the California Supreme Court issued its opinion in Connor v. First Student, Inc. (S229428), affirming the Court of Appeal Judgment in the same case. The Court unanimously held that the Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act, or ICRAA, was not unconstitutionally vague.
The Connor case is a complete victory for the bus drivers who filed claims almost 10 years ago alleging that their employers, First Student, Inc., and First Transit, Inc., had illegally run background checks on them without proper notice and written authorization. The case will now return to the Los Angeles Superior Court, where it will be set for trial.
The bus drivers are represented by Hunter Pyle Law and Feinberg, Jackson, Worthman & Wasow.
Federal Court Grants Class Certification In Case Involving 30,000 Janitors
Hunter Pyle Law, along with cocounsel, represents approximately 30,000 janitors in the case of Castro v. ABM, et al. Earlier this year, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California certified three classes in this case.
The Castro case involves claims that ABM failed to reimburse its janitors (called Cleaners) in California for work-related use of their personal cell phones. Specifically, ABM adopted a series of policies and practices that required the Cleaners to clock in and out using their cell phones, as well as to respond to calls and texts that they received on their cell phones. The plaintiffs claim that this conduct violated California Labor Code § 2802 and the California Unfair Competition Law.
The Castro case is set to go to trial in 2019.
Hunter Pyle is Guest on Consumer Protection Podcast
Hunter Pyle is a guest on an episode Daily Journal’s “Appellate Report” podcast entitled “Void for Overlap?” California appellate courts have split on the question of whether overlap between two consumer protection statutes renders one of them impermissibly vague; the California Supreme Court will soon decide the matter. Hunter Pyle provides a viewpoint, alongside Catha Worthman of Feinberg Jackson Worthman & Wasow, Ted Mermin of Public Good Law Center and Berkeley Center for Consumer Law and Economic Justice, and Montserrat Miller of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP.
Hunter Pyle argues before California Supreme Court
On May 29, 2018, Hunter Pyle argued the case of Connor v. First Student, Inc., S229428 before the California Supreme Court. Connor involves the constitutionality of California’s Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act, a statute that provides critical protections to workers, tenants, and consumers. Hunter Pyle Law and co-counsel Feinberg, Jackson, Worthman & Wasow prevailed in this case in the Second District Court of Appeal in 2015.
Mr. Pyle was joined by Seth (Ted) Mermin, counsel for numerous Amici Curiae.
The California Supreme Court should issue its decision in 90 days or less.
Hunter Pyle Receives Champion of Justice Award from the National Lawyers Guild
On April 14, 2018, the National Lawyers Guild San Francisco Bay Area Chapter presented Hunter Pyle with the Champion of Justice Award. Hunter was recognized for dedicating his career to fighting for economic justice as an employment attorney, championing the causes of workers’ rights, and contributing to the progressive legal community.