On June 30, 2012, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed into law Senate Bill 637 which will require public works contractors and subcontractors subject to the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act (essentially, construction projects where the estimated cost is at least $25,000) to use E-Verify to confirm that their employees are legally permitted to work in the United States. Violators of the new law are subject to progressive penalties including
UPDATE to D.C. Circuit Litigation Over NLRB Posting Rule: D.C. Circuit Halts Implementation Pending Appeal
The District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals granted a motion for an injunction pending appeal filed by national trade associations challenging the NLRB Posting Rule that requires all employers covered by the National Labor Relations Act to post a notice informing employees of their rights under the Act. In granting the motion to enjoin
Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Prohibits Act 111 Arbitration Panels from Reducing Post-Retirement Health Care Benefits for Active Employees
At a time when public employers across Pennsylvania are seeking to reduce or at least contain the skyrocketing costs of post-retirement health care benefits, the Commonwealth Court has virtually handcuffed municipalities from achieving any genuine relief for decades. The Commonwealth Court ruled in FOP, Flood City Lodge No. 86 v. City of Johnstown, No. 1873 C.D. 2010 (February 22, 2012), that the elimination of post-retirement health benefits for active police officers and firefighters by an Act 111 interest arbitration panel constitute an unlawful diminishment of contractually guaranteed benefits under the Home Rule Charter Law. This decision will likely have broad implications, as it signals how the Commonwealth Court will interpret a similar provision in the Pennsylvania Constitution that applies to all municipalities.
Continue Reading Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Prohibits Act 111 Arbitration Panels from Reducing Post-Retirement Health Care Benefits for Active Employees
Severance Pay Soon to Offset Unemployment Compensation in Pennsylvania
Effective January 1, 2012, a signature amendment to the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Law will require that severance pay in excess of 40% of the average annual wage in Pennsylvania offset unemployment compensation benefits otherwise payable to separated employees.
Prior to Act 6 of 2011, the amount of unemployment compensation a qualified claimant would receive would
Pennsylvania Municipal Civil Service Codes Amended for Hiring and Promotion Criteria
The General Assembly has passed three bills amending the civil service provisions of the First Class Township Code, Borough Code and Third Class City Code. Gov. Tom Corbett has signed into law the amendments to the First Class Township and Third Class City Codes, and is expected to sign the amendment to the Borough Code.