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The article discusses the enforceability of arbitration clauses in employment agreements in California. California courts view mandatory arbitration provisions as "contracts of adhesion" and scrutinize them closely, especially if the provision delegates the power to decide enforceability to the arbitrator. Two recent appellate decisions provide guidance for employers in drafting arbitration agreements. The decisions emphasize the importance of a well-drafted delegation clause and highlight the need for employees to specifically challenge the delegation clause in order for the court to consider the challenge. The article suggests that employers should update their employment agreements to reflect the current state of the law and reduce the risk of invalidating arbitration clauses. [Extracted from the article]

While California is widely known for its hostility to restrictive covenants, the California Supreme Court recently clarified that this hostility does not extend to every agreement involving competitive restrictions. The court's decision also offers further guidance for businesses seeking to pursue claims for interference with at-will contracts, as the court expressly predicated liability on pleading (and proving) some independent wrongfulness. However, the court acknowledged that whether interference with an at-will contract "more closely resembles" a claim for interference with contractual relations or one for interference with prospective economic advantage remains a separate question, which the court had partially addressed in Reeves v. Hanlon, 33 Cal. 4th 1140, 1145 (2004). [Extracted from the article]

Cruise LLC, the self-driving vehicle unit owned by General Motors, has fired nine top executives, including the Chief Operating Officer and heads of legal affairs. This comes after an investigation by California regulators into an incident where one of Cruise's cars hit and dragged a pedestrian, with regulators claiming that the company withheld a crucial video. The departures follow the exit of the CEO and the grounding of the company's robotaxi fleet. General Motors has taken a more active role in running the company since its license was suspended in California. [Extracted from the article]

Comments on United Farmworkers Organizing Committee's (UFWOC) boycott of lettuce growers in California. Goal of the boycott to force a large group of California vegetable growers to recognize UFWOC as the fieldworkers' chosen representative; Conflict between UFWOC and the Growers-Shippers Vegetable Association of Central California over the hiring clause of the labor contracts proposed by UFWOC; Strike ordered by Cesar Chavez to UFWOC against Freshpick, a division of Purex Corp.; Impact of the strike on the prices of lettuce in the market; Lettuce growers' decision to call for negotiations with UFWOC.

The article reports on the Merchant & Manufacturers Association (M & M) of Los Angeles, California reorganizing itself on the pattern of San Francisco Employers' Council and accepting collective bargaining. It also reports on the activities of Southern Californians Inc. which was set up in 1937 as a labor relations group and was later merged with M & M. It also reports on the increased labor union activity in the region who have intensified their membership drives.

The article offers information on the problems faced by canneries of California due to National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and labor unions. It states that NLRB instructed the canneries not to sign any contract with any of the labors unions. It mentions that 61 canneries affiliated to the California Processors & Growers Inc. renewed the union shop contract with International Brotherhood of Teamsters. It highlights that signing the contract made the transport wing of the same union to revolt.

The article focuses on contract negotiations between terminal operators and the Office Clerical Unit (OCU) of ILWU Local 63 in California. It states that the OCU contract does not establish wage and benefits benchmarks that hugely differ from those in the waterfront contract. According to PMA president Jim McKenna, the new OCU contract does not include any provisions that employers would dismiss as being too costly to consider in the 2008 waterfront negotiations.

United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 770 called its new contract with The Kroger Co.'s Food 4 Less/Foods Co. supermarkets "the best deal ever won at Food 4 Less." This contract is pretty good and is a step in the right direction in our struggle to improve wages and benefits", stated 30-year Food 4 Less employee Blanca Padilla. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the labor contract among the waterfront employers in San Francisco, California. Harry Bridges, employer of stevedores, informed that his people want to have changes in the contract. Harry Lundeberg, secretary of the Sailors' Union, is ready to renew the contract but he will base his action on the final decision of Bridges. Members of the Waterfront Association insisted that right implementation of the contract be observed to have stability in the shipping industry.

Focuses on a labor contract signed by stevedore members of the Pacific Maritime Association in San Diego, California. Inclusion of wage hikes for stevedores in the contract; Commitment made in the contract to bring in more tonnage shipments through smaller seaports.

The article reports on the conflict between television host Johnny Carson and National Broadcasting Co. Inc. (NBC) president Fred Silverman who took their dispute to retired Judge Parks Stillwell in Los Angeles, California. According to Carson, he does not have a legitimate contract with NBC, based on a California law barring personal contracts from being extended beyond seven years. However, NBC states that there have been three separate contracts since then and the last of which not only gave Carson more money but also less hours to spend as host of the "Tonight" show. It further reveals that if Carson, NBC's top star, moves to another network, more of NBC's associates may depart from the company.

The article focuses on the conflict between the labor unions, United Farm Workers Union (U.F.W.) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in California. It mentions that the dispute stemmed from the decision of majority of grape growers from Coachella Valley not to renew their contracts with the U.F.W. and instead signed with the Teamsters. It states that the decision of the growers has incensed Cesar Chavez, the leader of the U.F.W. by emphasizing that his union's agreement with the growers are nor just contracts but marriage licenses. It states that if many more growers will decide to sign with the Teamsters, the U.F.W. of Chavez could be dissolved.

The article reports on the expiration of supermarket labor contracts, which covers over 60,000 employees in South California. Topics discussed include the views of Washington United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International spokeswoman Nicky Coolberth regarding labor contracts, the expansion of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage, and the insights of UFCW Local 464A president John T. Niccollai concerning their effort of preserving coverage for workers in 2013.

The article reports on the move by teachers at the California Virtual Academy (CAVA) to establish a labor union. The state labor board certified the union with the California Teachers Association (CTA) in 2015. The teaches negotiated a contract with the virtual school. Cost-cutting measures have been introduced by the school.

The article reports on the labor agreements between supermarket chains Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons and California members of seven locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers union in California in 2007. Report says that the agreement eliminates the second tier of employees introduced into the contracts three years ago by making all employees eligible to achieve the top pay levels, reduce the waiting time for full health care coverage and give union members their first wage in creases in five years.

The article announces the plan of the City Council of Los Angeles, California to conduct a study on the impact of supermarkets on the city, its economy and its residents. The study comes as the three major grocery chains, namely Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons, are in the midst of negotiations on a new labor contract. The pending report follows a series of recommendations by a commission that asked the three major chains to end the two-tier wage and benefit system.

Reports on the decision of the national office of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union to suspend voting on a new labor contract between UFCW Local 7 and several major chains in Colorado as of November 2004. Comments by Jill Cashen, a spokeswoman for the UFCW in Washington on the proposal; Information on the contract proposals; Contract negotiations in California.

Reports that the Kroger workers labor union in Cincinnati, Ohio has voted to authorize a strike following the company's failure to produce an adequate employment contract. Benefits being offered by Kroger to its employees; Decision of Kroger to hire and train temporary replacement workers to help staff the stores in case of a strike; Information on the rally organized by the United Food and Commercial Workers outside a Safeway store in San Francisco, California.

Reports on the election of the board members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) in Los Angeles, California. Proposal of the current leadership to consolidate with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA); Aim of the union to protect the rights, wages and working conditions of its members; Resumption of contract negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

Reports on the expectations of labor unions and retail store chains in California for a successor labor contract in 2004. Coverage of the contract; Supermarkets involved in contract negotiations; Comparison between the attitude of management negotiators in Northern and Southern California.

Announces the labor agreement between the California Nurses Association and the University of California hospitals(UCLA). Implications of the contract in relation to the nursing shortage; Terms of the deal; Reason of the UCLA for signing the contract.

Reports on the California Supreme Court's decision in 'Armendariz v . Foundation Health Psychcare Services Inc.,' wherein it upheld employees' rights. Restrictions on employers who require prospective workers to sign mandatory arbitration clauses as a condition of employment; Guidelines issued on mandatory arbitration agreements.

Focuses on the California Supreme Court decision in the wrongful-termination case 'Foley v. Interactive Data Corp.' Details of the case; Relevance of the case to the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; Logic of the court ruling; Impact of the case on the enforceability of implied-in-fact employment contracts.

Focuses on the implications of the three-year labor contract between the International Longshoremen's & Warehousemen's Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). Concerns that the agreement could drive cargo ships to the East Coast of the United States; Comments from Tim Chavez, president of the ILWU; What the labor contract has to offer San Diego's dockworkers and economy.

The article discusses former San Jose State University track and cross-country coach Ron Davis' wrongful termination lawsuit against the school as of July 26, 2013. Davis who is a 72-year-old African-American has alleged that his termination was racially biased. Background is presented on the case including Davis' claim that the school's decision not to renew his contract was a violation of the California labor law.

The article focuses on the decision of Governor Jerry Brown of California to approve labor contract of California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) and his relationship with Harriet Salarno, the head of Crime Victims United (CVU). It says that the approval of the labor contract shows political payoff of Governor Brown to the campaign funds donated by CCPOA. It says that Governor Brown hosted fundraising for the CVU.

The article reports that the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) in California has pressed on state legislators to consider rejecting some or all of six new collective bargaining agreements negotiated with state employee unions in March 2011.

The article examines the power of the Office Clerical Unit (OCU) of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 63 in Southern California to disrupt the operations of the Southern California port complex. It relates the decision of OCU members to walk off their jobs at midnight after presenting their demands less than four hours before the contract expired. The average earnings of OCU members are outlined. It describes how some employers were able to avoid OCU labor organizing attempts.

This article reports on the end of a strike at the production facility for the Boeing C-17 military transport in Long Beach, California, in 2010. Members of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 148 reached a revised contract with Boeing Co. Some of the 1,700 union members will be returning to work after reaching the contract.

This article reports on a strike held by workers of Boeing Co. in Long Beach, California, in May 2010. The workers made the move as they rejected a final labor contract offer from the aircraft builder. The strike caused doubt over the continued production of the C-17 Globemaster III military transport plane. The company is considering to transfer the production of the aircraft to another location.

The article focuses on the decision of workers at the Dana Holding Corp. to join the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 76 after their company disregarded seniority concern in laying off some of its employees during the economic crisis in the U.S. in 2009. It was noted that over 70% of 250 employees at the Dana factory in Stockton, California have indicated in a card check recognition about their vote for the establishment of their own union on February 16. The new members are set to prepare for their first contract bargaining.

The article reports on the ruling of the California Court of Appeal that Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District failed to follow the Education Code when it did not gave interim vice chancellor David Agosto enough time to renew his contract. The district said Agosto would not be offered another administrative position, but could return to a faculty position. Agosto claimed the district misleadingly contended that he was under only a one-year rather than two-year contract because two-year contracts carry more legal protections.

The article reports on the ratification of a three-year contract by registered nurses (RNs) at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center (LBMMC) in California. RNs ratified the contract to address their key priority for patient safety protections along with substantial gains in their rights and compensation. Margie Keenan of LBMMC stated that the contract will protect their patient advocacy right and their union rights.

The article focuses on the labor conflict at the Catholic-run Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital in California that has attracted the national media due to the intervention of religious teachings. It discusses the involvement of Monsignor John Brenkle in the battle between the hospital system and United Healthcare Workers West. Information on union president John Borsos and the case filed alleging that the employer used intimidation and threat during workplace campaign is presented.

The article reports that workers at Coca-Cola Co.'s Oceanside, California, warehouse voted 64-6 in favor of their first contract in balloting July 13, 2008. The workers went on strike on July 1, 2008, over the wage dispute between Oceanside and San Diego, California, workers. 100 Teamsters Local 683 drivers and warehouse workers were affected by the three-year deal for union representation.

The article presents a case involving the invalidation of the employment contract of a school district superintendent in San Francisco, California. Members of the public argued about the salary increase of the superintendent. The court ruled in favor of the superintendent. The district decided to increase the annual salary of the superintendent.

The article discusses a lawsuit filed by Michael Burch against the University of California-Davis (UCD) at the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California following the termination of his contract as its men's wrestling coach. Burch sued UCD because he thought he was dismissed in retaliation to his advocacy for female-wrestling activities. An explanation for the decision to terminate Burch's contract is presented including the conflict Burch had within the athletic department. It also discusses how the court ruled through a review question.

The article reports on the renewal of contract of IndyMac Bancorp Inc. CEO Michael W. Perry for five years that is performance-based in Pasadena, California. According to sources, the company has always prided itself for being a meritocracy and this new contract continues that tradition of pay for performance throughout the company's ranks. Perry's base salary remains at $1 million per year and his contract will take effect on January 1, 2007.

The article reports that registered nurses (RN) represented by California Nurses Association at Northern California Sutter Health hospitals ratified two-year contracts that will ensure patients are cared for by more RN, boost wages and position Sutter RN to bargain together in 2007. In addition, Sutter agreed to shift to an almost all-RN nursing staff by hiring RN into all vacant and newly-posted positions in various units.

The article provides an update on the University of California's, Los Angeles (UCLA) mediation proceedings. The nurse negotiators spent September in mediation proceedings with their employer to either bargain a fair contract or get an impasse declared so that they can proceed with the strike. ULCA Medical Center oncology registered nurse and chief nurse representative Emmanuel Punzalan claimed that the institution has never shown any respect for the hard work senior nurses have done for the institution.

Examines the labor contract agreed upon by Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) and its nurses in California. Guarantee of the state's nurse staffing ratios within the contract language; Commitment of CHW to train nurses; Nurses' control over new hospital technology.

Reports that registered nurses with Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and public health clinics in San Bernardino County, California, settled their California Nurses Association contract in late July 2005. Terms of the contract; Comments from public health registered nurse Linda Pester.

Examines the possible implications of the expiration of labor contracts for hotels in California in 2006. Possibility for hospitality workers' unions to conduct labor strikes; Potential impact of labor strikes on associations that may have meetings in cities; Actions to be taken by convention professionals to address the issues.

Reports on the lawsuit filed by financial service firm Merrill Lynch &x#0026; Co. Inc. against its former employees due to their transfer on company's competitor RBC Dain Rauscher Inc. in San Diego, California. Inclusion of three brokers; Emphasis on the misappropriation of trade secrets; Violation of non-disclosure agreements.

Reports on a labor contract proposed by city officials and the Service Employees International Union Local 790 in San Francisco, California to help healthcare facilities recruit and retain nurses. Value of the contract; Percentage increase in salary to be received by nurses under the contract.

Reports on the walk out of registered nurses (RN) at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas in California to protest the hospital's position on several contract provisions needed to recruit and retain experienced nurses. Nurses' efforts to negotiate a first contract with the hospital; Issues of contention between nurses and Scripps.

Reports on the violation of the Dameron Hospital to the collective bargaining agreement with the California Nurses Association (CNA) for contracting out nurses to a staffing company. Details on the substandard wages received by overseas nurses; Exploitation of nurses as a cheap labor supply by the hospital; Adoption of the Code of Practice for the International Recruitment of Nurses by the CNA.

This section provides an update on the GLBT communities in several U.S. states, as of February 2005. Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco California, who launched a high-profile crusade to issue over 4,000 marriage licenses to gay couples in 2004, announced on January 5, 2005 that he was filing for divorce from his wife, TV legal analyst Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom. Four years after becoming one of the first small towns in the nation to extend health benefits to city employees' gay partners, the town board of Eastchester, New York on January 4, 2005 rescinded the benefits in making a new labor contract. Meanwhile, the state house of Illinois on January 11, 2005 passed a bill to protect gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people from discrimination in employment and housing. The bill was expected to be signed by Governor Rod Blagojevich and would make Illinois the 14th state with such a law. Mary Rowles and her partner, Alice Jenkins, of Akron, Ohio, lost their appeal on January 5, 2005 to retract their guilty pleas to charges of abusing their six children. The women were each sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty in 2003 to kidnapping, child endangerment, and felonious assault.

Reports on the continuation of labor talks between several locals of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union and various supermarket chains regarding employee contracts in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Coverage of the Bay Area contracts; Proposed settlement of contracts that was approved by UFCW Local 588 members; Terms of the approved employee contract.

Reports on the contract negotiation of Sutter Health registered nurses working at Eden Medical Center in California. Apprehension about job security and union status; Schedule of sympathy strikes to put pressure on contract talks with the hospital administration; Protest action to the poor staffing practices.