Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis to Address Premier Legal Meeting on Labor and Employment Law

Labor Secretary Solis speaks.

CHICAGO, Oct. 8, 2009 – Layoffs and corporate restructuring in a troubled economy, labor and employment initiatives of the Obama administration, and a presentation by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis are just some of the highlights of the American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law’s 3rd Annual CLE Conference, Nov. 4 – 7 in Washington, D.C.

During this premier legal meeting focusing on all aspects of labor and employment law Solis will speak Nov. 6 between 7 – 9 p.m. at a celebratory dinner in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Wagner Act that led to the formation of the NLRB.

The conference will be at the Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H Street Northwest. To view the full conference agenda, click here.

In addition to providing an opportunity for attendees to meet and talk with top practitioners representing employee, employers, unions and government agencies, the conference offers top quality CLE programs including:

Thursday, Nov. 5

“It Was the Worst of Times: Layoffs, Regressive Bargaining and Corporate Restructuring in a Troubled Economy”
Panelists will consider the legal landscape surrounding layoffs, restructuring, downsizing, employer givebacks in collective bargaining and bankruptcy, and will evaluate employer strategies for making a smooth transition and avoiding legal liability.
11:15 a.m.

“I Know Who You Are and I Read What You Write: Claims Arising from Blogging, Texting, GPS and E-mail”
How far can employers go when monitoring employee activity and what rights do employees have? Experts will discuss what laws apply, best practices for employers when monitoring employees, and how to define employees expectations of privacy when using company-issued technology.
3:45 p.m.

“Laying Down the Law: A Question-and-Answer Session on Department of Labor Enforcement Issues Under Federal Labor Statutes Including FLSA, OSHA, and More”
U.S. Department of Labor representatives will answer questions from a panel of labor and management representatives about enforcement efforts under FLSA, OSHA and other civil rights, safety and labor, and employment statutes administered by the department.
9:30 a.m.

“Bargaining in the Public Sector in Difficult Economic Times”
Collective bargaining rights and responsibilities in the context of budget shortfalls, reductions in force, stimulus packages, and skyrocketing health care costs and pensions will be explored by this panel.
9:30 a.m.

“A Conversation with the National Labor Relations Board”
The chair and board members of the NLRB provide insight on past decisions and future issues that will come before them.
2 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 6

“Pay Me Now, or Pay Me Later! The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and Compensation Equity”
In the wake of the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, government representatives will share the tests used to assess compensation data, and practitioners who have faced the challenges of pursuing and defending pay discrimination claims will debate the evidence needed and the defenses available when handling such claims.
11:15 a.m.

“When Johnny and Joanie Come Marching Home Again: Recent Developments in USERRA”
With the anticipated drawing down of troops from Iraq and the potential increases in troops sent to Afghanistan, panelists will address recent developments in case law, the impact of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act, and current efforts to further amend the statute that are being considered.
3:45 p.m.

“Women at Work: Gender Equality and Harassment Issues in International Workplaces”
This session will address the employment laws, practices and customs in various countries relating to discrimination in compensation based on gender—including “glass ceiling” and evidentiary issues—and relating to sexual harassment.
9:30 a.m.

“Meet the Obama Department of Labor”
Department of Labor representatives will explain the direction of the DOL under the new administration including approaches to opinion letters, amicus briefs, enforcement priorities, its regulatory agenda and other initiatives.
11:15 a.m.

“Obama Administration Initiatives in Federal Sector Labor and Employment Law”
This program will discuss the new administration’s rule changes, executive orders and other initiatives with respect to addressing labor and employment law related to federal employees, as well as the administration’s future goals in the area.
2 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 7

“Difficulties and Disasters: Workplace Investigations Gone Wrong”
Top plaintiff, union and management lawyers will share their insights on how to handle unanticipated and troublesome predicaments relating to workplace investigations.
9:30 a.m.

“Bankruptcy and Collective Bargaining Issues”
Panelists include a prominent bankruptcy judge and two lawyers with experience in dealing with the issues that arise when an organized company goes into bankruptcy.
9:30 a.m.

“The Market Meltdown and Its Effect on Employee Benefits: Consequences for Employees, Employers and Unions”
Experts will address three major areas regarding the impact of employee benefit plans on the market in disarray.
1 p.m.

The Section of Labor and Employment Law is the legal profession’s most knowledgeable and influential voice on matters involving labor-management and employment relationships. The section represents all perspectives of labor and employment law: employer, union, employee, public, and neutral. All are committed to a balanced discussion of employment issues in the United States and abroad.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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Note to Editors: Accredited reporters are welcome to attend the conference. For credentials contact Dave Jaffe, ABA Division for Media Relations and Communications, 312-988-6139, jaffed@staff.abanet.org.
During this premier legal meeting focusing on all aspects of labor and employment law Solis will speak Nov. 6 between 7 – 9 p.m. at a celebratory dinner in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Wagner Act that led to the formation of the NLRB.

The conference will be at the Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H Street Northwest. To view the full conference agenda, click here.

In addition to providing an opportunity for attendees to meet and talk with top practitioners representing employee, employers, unions and government agencies, the conference offers top quality CLE programs including:

Thursday, Nov. 5

“It Was the Worst of Times: Layoffs, Regressive Bargaining and Corporate Restructuring in a Troubled Economy”
Panelists will consider the legal landscape surrounding layoffs, restructuring, downsizing, employer givebacks in collective bargaining and bankruptcy, and will evaluate employer strategies for making a smooth transition and avoiding legal liability.
11:15 a.m.

“I Know Who You Are and I Read What You Write: Claims Arising from Blogging, Texting, GPS and E-mail”
How far can employers go when monitoring employee activity and what rights do employees have? Experts will discuss what laws apply, best practices for employers when monitoring employees, and how to define employees expectations of privacy when using company-issued technology.
3:45 p.m.

“Laying Down the Law: A Question-and-Answer Session on Department of Labor Enforcement Issues Under Federal Labor Statutes Including FLSA, OSHA, and More”
U.S. Department of Labor representatives will answer questions from a panel of labor and management representatives about enforcement efforts under FLSA, OSHA and other civil rights, safety and labor, and employment statutes administered by the department.
9:30 a.m.

“Bargaining in the Public Sector in Difficult Economic Times”
Collective bargaining rights and responsibilities in the context of budget shortfalls, reductions in force, stimulus packages, and skyrocketing health care costs and pensions will be explored by this panel.
9:30 a.m.

“A Conversation with the National Labor Relations Board”
The chair and board members of the NLRB provide insight on past decisions and future issues that will come before them.
2 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 6

“Pay Me Now, or Pay Me Later! The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and Compensation Equity”
In the wake of the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, government representatives will share the tests used to assess compensation data, and practitioners who have faced the challenges of pursuing and defending pay discrimination claims will debate the evidence needed and the defenses available when handling such claims.
11:15 a.m.

“When Johnny and Joanie Come Marching Home Again: Recent Developments in USERRA”
With the anticipated drawing down of troops from Iraq and the potential increases in troops sent to Afghanistan, panelists will address recent developments in case law, the impact of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act, and current efforts to further amend the statute that are being considered.
3:45 p.m.

“Women at Work: Gender Equality and Harassment Issues in International Workplaces”
This session will address the employment laws, practices and customs in various countries relating to discrimination in compensation based on gender—including “glass ceiling” and evidentiary issues—and relating to sexual harassment.
9:30 a.m.

“Meet the Obama Department of Labor”
Department of Labor representatives will explain the direction of the DOL under the new administration including approaches to opinion letters, amicus briefs, enforcement priorities, its regulatory agenda and other initiatives.
11:15 a.m.

“Obama Administration Initiatives in Federal Sector Labor and Employment Law”
This program will discuss the new administration’s rule changes, executive orders and other initiatives with respect to addressing labor and employment law related to federal employees, as well as the administration’s future goals in the area.
2 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 7

“Difficulties and Disasters: Workplace Investigations Gone Wrong”
Top plaintiff, union and management lawyers will share their insights on how to handle unanticipated and troublesome predicaments relating to workplace investigations.
9:30 a.m.

“Bankruptcy and Collective Bargaining Issues”
Panelists include a prominent bankruptcy judge and two lawyers with experience in dealing with the issues that arise when an organized company goes into bankruptcy.
9:30 a.m.

“The Market Meltdown and Its Effect on Employee Benefits: Consequences for Employees, Employers and Unions”
Experts will address three major areas regarding the impact of employee benefit plans on the market in disarray.
1 p.m.

The Section of Labor and Employment Law is the legal profession’s most knowledgeable and influential voice on matters involving labor-management and employment relationships. The section represents all perspectives of labor and employment law: employer, union, employee, public, and neutral. All are committed to a balanced discussion of employment issues in the United States and abroad.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

- 30 -

Note to Editors: Accredited reporters are welcome to attend the conference. For credentials contact Dave Jaffe, ABA Division for Media Relations and Communications, 312-988-6139, jaffed@staff.abanet.org.