NELA

Empowering Workers' Rights Attorneys

Statements, Letters & Testimony

Statements, Letters & Testimony

The National Employment Lawyers Association And The Employee Rights Advocacy Institute For Law & Policy Applaud Hearing On House Bill To Restore Access To America’s Civil Justice System

(Washington, DC) – The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) and The Employee Rights Advocacy Institute For Law & Policy (The Institute) applaud Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA) for introducing the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act (FAIR Act), which will end the insidious corporate practice of forcing workers and consumers to give up their rights by mandating them to address disputes in secret, one-sided arbitration proceedings.

The FAIR Act will open the courthouse doors and restore workers’ access to America’s civil justice system. Among other things, the FAIR Act will make it unlawful for employers to impose arbitration on workers, unless the worker knowingly and voluntarily agrees to arbitration after a dispute arises or pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. Over 60 million working people in the U.S. are now subject to forced arbitration clauses which were designed to keep them from enforcing their legal rights.

“The unjust practice of forcing workers into arbitration must finally be dismantled,” Jeffrey A. Mittman, NELA Executive Director, said. “It strips vulnerable workers of the right to enforce laws that were designed to protect them when they are victims of illegal treatment in the workplace. Forced arbitration favors employers and coerces workers into losing either their … Read More

NELA And The Institute Statement On The Breach Of The U.S. Capitol

NELA and The Institute express our profound distress over this week’s insurrection in our nation’s capitol, in one of the most sacrosanct of buildings—the halls of Congress. Our staff members in DC are safe. We are in contact with our Metro DC-based NELA members and MWELA (NELA’s DC Affiliate) members to ensure their well-being. Many in our country are hurting right now, including our members, allies, and supporters. What happened during what should have been a peaceful transfer of power ranks among the most profound, unsettling events in American history.

Regardless of this brazen attempt to upend our democracy, our Senators and Representatives fulfilled their obligation to confirm Joe Biden’s election. The message delivered by voters at the ballot box was loud and clear, and their voices will not be silenced, by threat or by force. We now look forward to working with the Biden-Harris administration to achieve our mission of empowering workers’ rights attorneys, promoting a fair judiciary, and advocating for laws and policies that level the playing field for workers.

As a community, we will move past the event and redouble of our efforts to create workplaces that are equitable, diverse, and inclusive, and to protect those who … Read More

National Employment Lawyers Association’s Department of Labor Proposals for First 100 Days

Biden-Harris Department of Labor Review Team
Chris Lu, Team Lead

Submitted electronically to Patricia Smith

Dear DOL Agency Review Team:

The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) welcomes the opportunity to share our recommendations for concrete steps that can be taken in the first 100 days under new leadership at the White House and Department of Labor (DOL). If implemented, these changes would advance the work of building an economy in which all workers are treated with dignity and respect; workplaces are equitable, diverse, and inclusive; and the well-being of workers is a priority in business practices.

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised solely of lawyers who represent workers asserting employment, wage and hour, labor, and civil rights protections. NELA advocates for workers’ rights and serves lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. NELA and its 69 circuit, state, and local affiliates have a membership of over 4,000 attorneys who are committed to helping those who have suffered unlawful treatment in the workplace to use private law enforcement to vindicate their rights.

NELA members and staff have identified the following six areas, set forth below in which there is an immediate need … Read More

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NELA Comment On Proposed Rule: Update of Commission’s Conciliation Procedures

VIA Electronic Submission

Bernadette B. Wilson
Executive Officer, Executive Secretariat
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
131 M Street NE
Washington, DC 20507

Re:      Comment on Proposed Rule: Update of Commission’s Conciliation Procedures, 85 Fed. Reg. 64,079, RIN 3046–AB19

To Whom It May Concern:

The National Employment Lawyers Association (“NELA”) respectfully submits the following comments in response to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (“EEOC”) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Update of Commission’s Conciliation Procedures (the “NPRM”).

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent employees in labor, employment, wage and hour, and civil rights disputes. NELA advances employee rights and serves lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. NELA and its 69 circuit, state, and local affiliates have a membership of over 4,000 attorneys who are committed to working on behalf of those who have been illegally treated in the workplace. NELA has filed numerous amicus curiae briefs before the United States Supreme Court and other federal appellate courts regarding the proper interpretation of federal civil rights and worker protection laws and comments on relevant NPRMs of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs). A substantial number of NELA members’ clients are charging parties at … Read More

NELA Comments On OPM Proposed Changes To The Back Pay Act

Michael Rigas, Acting Director
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building
1900 E Street NW
Washington, DC 20415-1000

Submitted electronically via www.regulations.gov

Re: National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA)’s Comments on U.S. Office of Personnel Management NPRM Regarding Attorney Fees and Personnel Action Coverage under the Back Pay Act:  RIN 3206-AN83

Dear Acting Director Rigas:

The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) respectfully submits the following comments opposing issuance of the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM’s) Proposed Regulation referenced above.

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country of lawyers who represent employees in labor, employment, wage and hour, and civil rights disputes.  NELA advances employee rights and serves lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace.  NELA and its 69 circuit, state, and local affiliates have a membership of over 4,000 attorneys who are committed to working on behalf of those who have been illegally treated in the workplace.  NELA members frequently represent federal sector employees with claims under the Back Pay Act, and as a result have had ample experience in its practical operation and mechanics. Thus, NELA has both an interest in the proposed amendments and extensive expertise regarding the practical impact … Read More

NELA Submits Comments On Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking On Classification Of Independent Contractors Under The FLSA

Submitted via www.regulations.gov

Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation
Wage and Hour Division
U.S. Department of Labor
Room S-3502
200 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20210

Re: RIN 1235-AA34, Comments in Response to Proposed Rulemaking: Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act

To Whom It May Concern:

The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) is submitting these comments regarding the U.S. Department of Labor (“Department”)’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on the status of independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent employees in labor, employment, wage and hour, and civil rights disputes. Our mission is to advance employee rights and serve lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. NELA and its 69 circuit, state, and local affiliates have a membership of over 4,000 attorneys who are committed to working on behalf of those who have faced illegal treatment in the workplace. NELA has filed numerous amicus curiae briefs before the United States Supreme Court and other federal appellate courts regarding the proper interpretation of federal civil rights and worker protection laws and comments on relevant Notices of Proposed … Read More

NELA And The Institute Call On JAMS To Examine Past Cases For Bias

BY ELECTRONIC MAIL

Mr. Christopher Poole
Chief Executive Officer, JAMS
5 Park Plaza Suite 400
Irvine, CA 92614

Re: Accountability for Racism at JAMS

Dear Mr. Poole:

The National Employment Lawyers Association (“NELA”) and its related charitable organization, The Employee Rights Advocacy Institute For Law & Policy (“The Institute”) write to express deep concern about the racist views that were circulated by and then defended as a piece worthy of discussion by former Judge Richard Neville, who was until recently a JAMS neutral. NELA and our 69 circuit, state, and local Affiliates, comprising over 4,000 members across the country, are following your response with interest. We note, the communications only came to light as the result of a public filing, NRA v. JAMS.

The writing that Neville circulated, which he sent out by email using a signature block identifying him as a JAMS neutral, has rightly been described as “abhorrent” and “indecent.” We further agree that it is shocking that a former member of the judiciary would disseminate such material and, when called on it, defend it as being worthy of discussion or consideration, without any direct rejection of the content. It is beyond credible debate that the content … Read More

NELA Strongly Opposes Proposed Changes To EEOC Dispute Resolution Programs

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Janet Dhillon, Chair
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Washington, DC

Via Email

RE: EEOC Conciliation and ADR Pilot Programs

Dear Chair Dhillon:

The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) respectfully writes to urge you to discontinue the Conciliation Pilot Project initiated on May 29, 2020 and the Mediation Pilot Project initiated on July 6, 2020 and to abandon the proposed changes to both the Conciliation and the Mediation programs at the EEOC. The changes contained in these pilots have profoundly limiting impact on the rights of working people who seek redress for workplace discrimination.

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent workers in labor, employment, wage and hour, and civil rights disputes. NELA empowers workers’ rights attorneys through legal training, promoting a fair judiciary, and advocating for laws and policies that level the playing field for workers. NELA has filed numerous amicus curiae briefs before the United States Supreme Court and other federal appellate courts regarding the proper interpretation of federal civil rights and worker protection laws; provided comments on relevant Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) for federal agencies whose policies impact working people; and engages in legislative advocacy on behalf … Read More

NELA Files Comments On Proposed Federal Rules Changes For National Emergencies

TO: RulesCommittee_Secretary@ao.uscourts.gov

To the Members of the Advisory Committee:

Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments concerning possible rule amendments that could be helpful in future national emergencies. I write as the National Employment Lawyers Association’s liaison to the Advisory Committee. This letter contains NELA’s comments. We believe that adoption of these comments could, in general, improve cost and efficiency in discovery and certain court hearings. But, in particular, adoption of these comments would allow cases to continue forward even if the courts were closed due to a national emergency. These suggestions are meant to be neutral, i.e., their adoption should not result in giving advantages to one side.

Our procedure was to examine the existing language in certain rules and propose either new language or commentary. We begin with rules concerning discovery and continue with certain rules concerning hearings, oral arguments and bench trials.

I. Depositions and Subpoenas

Whether during an emergency or in the normal course, Rule 30 allows for depositions to be taken by telephone or video conference. Rules 28, 29 and other parts of Rule 30 should be interpreted to facilitate efficient, less costly and effective depositions by telephone or video conference.

Rule 28 sets

… Read More

NELA Comments On Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking RIN 1235-AA31 (Fluctuating Workweek)

Submitted electronically via Federal eRulemaking Portal

Amy DeBisschop
Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation
Wage and Hour Division
U.S. Department of Labor
Room S-3502
200 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20210

RE: Comments Submitted on Behalf of the National Employment Lawyers Association on Notice of Proposed Rulemaking RIN 1235-AA31

Dear Ms. DeBisschop:The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) submits these comments to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by the United States Department of Labor (“the Department”) regarding the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (“FLSA”), issued for comment on November 5, 2019 at 84 Federal Register 214, et seq. (the “2019 NPRM”).

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent employees in labor, employment, wage and hour, and civil rights disputes. Founded in 1985, NELA and its 69 circuit, state, and local affiliates have a membership of over 4,000 attorneys who are committed to working on behalf of those workers who have been treated illegally. NELA strives to protect the rights of its members’ clients, and regularly supports precedent-setting litigation affecting the rights of individuals in the workplace. NELA has a compelling interest in seeing that the goals of the FLSA are realized. To

… Read More

NELA Supports The Pregnant Workers Act

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Subcommittee Chairwoman Bonamici and Ranking Member Comer
Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee
House Education and Labor Committee
2176 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

National Employment Lawyers Association Supports The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Dear Member of Congress:

On behalf of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), and its 4,000 circuit, state, and local affiliate members across the country, we write to express our strong support for passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) (H.R. 2417).

NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent workers in labor, employment, and civil rights disputes. Founded in 1985, NELA advances employee rights and serves lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. Our members have first-hand experience with the challenges faced by pregnant women who want nothing more than to keep working through a pregnancy and who often must keep working because they and their families need the income.

We urge you to support the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which is crucial to protecting working women who are pregnant. This bipartisan legislation is long overdue for the well-being and economic security of workers and the well-being of women … Read More

NELA Comments On OPM Proposed Rule Diminishing Agencies’ Ability To Settle Cases, RIN 3206-AN60

VIA Electronic Submission on regulations.gov

Office of Personnel Management
1900 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20415

Download Letter

Re: Proposed Rule, RIN 3206-AN60
84 Fed.Reg. 48,794-48,806 (September 17, 2019)To Whom It May Concern:The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) respectfully submits the following comments concerning the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Proposed Rule, as published in the Federal Register at 84 Fed.Reg. 48,794-48,806 (September 17, 2019).NELA is the largest professional membership organization in the country comprised of lawyers who represent employees in labor, employment, wage and hour, and civil rights disputes. Our mission is to advance employee rights and serve lawyers who advocate for equality and justice in the American workplace. NELA and its 69 circuit, state, and local affiliates have a membership of over 4,000 attorneys who are committed to working on behalf of those who have faced illegal treatment in the workplace. NELA has filed numerous amicus curiae briefs before the United States Supreme Court and other federal appellate courts regarding the proper interpretation of federal civil rights and worker protection laws and comments on relevant Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs). NELA also engages in legislative advocacy on behalf of workers throughout the United States. A substantial number
… Read More