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Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. 2025 NY Slip Op 02405
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 24, 2025

Joseph Chen, Inc. v. Romona Keveza Collection LLC

This case, Joseph Chen, Inc. v Romona Keveza Collection LLC, addresses the application of the Freelance Isn't Free Act (FIFA) in New York. Plaintiffs Joseph Chen Inc., a photographer's company, and Dina Kozlovska, a fashion model, sought compensation from Romona Keveza Collection LLC (RKC) for unpaid services. The initial Supreme Court order, which denied both parties' motions for summary judgment, was appealed. The Appellate Division clarified that Chen Inc. qualified as a freelance worker under FIFA, even when utilizing assistants, and Kozlovska's prior agency involvement did not negate her freelance status. Consequently, the court modified the lower court's decision, granting the plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment on liability against RKC, thereby affirming their rights under the Freelance Isn't Free Act.

Freelance Isn't Free ActIndependent ContractorSummary JudgmentAdministrative CodeUnpaid ServicesSingle-Person OrganizationAppellate DivisionLiabilityStatutory InterpretationFashion Industry
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Roberts v. New York City Office of Collective Bargaining

This case concerns an appeal regarding the New York City Fire Department's "zero tolerance" policy, which mandates automatic termination for EMS employees who fail or refuse drug tests. Unions representing these employees argued that this policy should be subject to mandatory collective bargaining. The New York City Board of Collective Bargaining and a lower court ruled against the unions, asserting that the policy falls under management's disciplinary rights. The appellate court affirmed this decision, holding that disciplinary actions for EMS personnel are the sole province of the Fire Commissioner under the New York City Charter, and that deterring illegal drug use by EMS workers is critical to public safety and the FDNY's core mission.

Public SafetyEmergency Medical Services (EMS)Drug Testing PolicyZero ToleranceCollective BargainingMandatory BargainingNew York City Fire Department (FDNY)Fire CommissionerDisciplinary AuthorityNew York City Charter
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Graff v. United Collection Bureau, Inc.

This memorandum and order addresses a class action lawsuit filed by Thomas Graff against United Collection Bureau, Inc. under the FDCPA. The parties sought final certification of a class action and approval of a cy pres settlement. The proposed settlement included payments to a public interest organization, the representative plaintiff, administration costs, and attorneys' fees. However, one class member objected to various aspects, including the scope of the release and the class's geographic scope. The court ultimately denied final approval of the settlement, citing concerns with the broad release, the unexplained expansion of the class size without commensurate benefit, and the exclusive cy pres remedy, while upholding the magistrate judge's jurisdiction. The court also modified the class to be limited solely to the New York class.

Class Action SettlementFDCPA LitigationMagistrate Judge JurisdictionCy Pres RemedyDebt Collection PracticesRule 23(e) ReviewProcedural FairnessSubstantive FairnessScope of ReleaseClass Definition
References
48
Case No. 2022 NY Slip Op 04702
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 26, 2022

Chen v. Romona Keveza Collection LLC

This case involves cross-appeals concerning the application of the Freelance Isn't Free Act (FIFA) to a photography business (Joseph Chen Inc.) and a model (Dina Kozlovska) against Romona Keveza Collection LLC and related entities for alleged nonpayment. The Appellate Division, First Department, addressed whether Joseph Chen Inc. and Dina Kozlovska qualified as "freelance workers" under FIFA. The court modified a March 11, 2021 order by reinstating Kozlovska's claim against all defendants, finding that the lower court erred in dismissing it. It also reversed a June 30, 2021 order, granting RKC's motion to vacate a default judgment, citing public policy for deciding cases on the merits. Appeals regarding other orders and sanctions were dismissed as academic or nonappealable. The case highlights issues of first impression regarding FIFA, particularly concerning corporate entities and workers represented by agents.

Freelance Isn't Free ActFIFANonpaymentPhotography ServicesModeling ServicesIndependent ContractorDefault JudgmentDismissal of ClaimsAppellate ReviewStatutory Interpretation
References
11
Case No. 2025 NY Slip Op 25014
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 21, 2025

New York State Pub. Empl. Relations Bd. v. New York City Off. of Collective Bargaining

The New York State Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) initiated a special proceeding against the New York City Office of Collective Bargaining (OCB) and related boards. PERB alleged that OCB's ongoing implementation of its contract-bar rule, which restricts post-expiration-of-contract decertification, was not substantially equivalent to the state's Taylor Law. OCB moved to dismiss the petition as untimely. The Supreme Court, New York County, denied the motion to dismiss PERB's declaratory judgment claim, finding it either a continuing violation or subject to a six-year statute of limitations that was not yet expired. However, the court dismissed PERB's accompanying Article 78 cause of action as untimely. Additionally, motions to intervene by several nonparties were denied, but their requests to appear as amici curiae were granted.

Public Employment Relations BoardCollective BargainingTaylor LawCivil Service LawDeclaratory JudgmentStatute of LimitationsContinuing Violation DoctrineContract Bar RuleDecertification PetitionNew York City Office of Collective Bargaining
References
37
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Levitt v. Board of Collective Bargaining

The City of New York promulgated Personnel Policy and Procedure Bulletin number 401-86, requiring city employees to disclose and repay debts as a condition for appointment or promotion. Three unions challenged this policy before the Board of Collective Bargaining, asserting it constituted an improper labor practice as it unilaterally changed terms of employment without collective bargaining. The Board sided with the unions, ruling the city had acted improperly. The City then petitioned the court to set aside the Board's determination. The court granted the City's petition, finding the Board's decision unreasonable and arbitrary, concluding that the policy concerned management's fundamental right to set employee qualifications and maintain integrity, and was therefore exempt from mandatory collective bargaining. The court also critiqued the Board's balancing test regarding employee privacy rights.

Improper Labor PracticeCollective BargainingManagerial PrerogativeDebt CollectionEmployee QualificationsPublic EmployeesPrivacy RightsAdministrative CodeJudicial ReviewPERB
References
17
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re the Arbitration of Controversies between Central Aviation & Marine Corp. & International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers

This case concerns a motion by a Union to compel arbitration based on an alleged collective bargaining agreement dated August 8, 1962. The Employer opposes arbitration, contending no valid contract was formed. Affidavits from both sides presented conflicting accounts of negotiation authority and intent, particularly regarding John F. Riley's power to bind the Employer. The National Labor Relations Board had previously found the August 8, 1962 document to be a collective bargaining contract for bar purposes in a separate decertification hearing. However, the District Court, finding the N.L.R.B. order not res judicata and based on the parties' conduct post-August 8, 1962, concluded that no collective bargaining agreement was entered into. Consequently, the Union's motion was denied and the Employer's cross-petition dismissed.

ArbitrationCollective Bargaining AgreementContract ValidityLabor UnionEmployer-Employee RelationsNational Labor Relations Board (NLRB)NLRB OrderDecertification PetitionAuthority to ContractGood Faith Bargaining
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Daniels v. Monroe County Child Support Collection Unit

This case concerns the priority of four liens against a $7,500 settlement received by Mr. Daniels. The liens include his attorney's charging lien, a workers' compensation lien by Legion Insurance, a child support lien by the Child Support Collection Unit for over $20,000, and a judgment lien by former landlord Robert Dykes. The court, presided over by Justice Andrew V. Siracuse, determined that the attorney's charging lien takes first priority based on logic and public policy, as the attorney created the fund benefiting all lienors. Legion Insurance's workers' compensation lien received second priority, as the Child Support Collection Unit had already had an opportunity to levy on the initial workers' compensation payments. The Child Support Collection Unit was placed third, and Robert Dykes's judgment lien was last. The court rejected arguments that CPLR 5242 (d) gave child support priority over statutory and charging liens in this specific context.

Lien PriorityAttorney's Charging LienWorkers' Compensation LienChild Support LienJudgment LienCPLR 5242 (d)Workers’ Compensation Law § 29Domestic Relations Law § 240Public PolicyEquitable Principles
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 01, 2004

District Council 37 v. City of New York

This case involves an appeal of a Supreme Court judgment affirming a determination by the Board of Collective Bargaining of the City of New York. The petitioner public employee organizations (District Council 37 and Communications Workers of America) sought to annul the Board's decision regarding the City's unilateral implementation of a merit pay program for certain employees in the Human Resources Administration (JOS titles). The unions alleged the City violated the New York City Collective Bargaining Law by implementing the program without proper collective bargaining during a representation proceeding. The Board found the City had violated the NYC-CBL but denied the unions' request to compel the City to implement a similar merit pay program for non-JOS titles, citing inconsistency with its prior cease and desist order. The Supreme Court confirmed the Board's decision, and this judgment affirms that decision, finding the Board's actions to be reasonable and consistent with its statutory interpretation and that no new arguments warranted a different outcome.

Collective BargainingMerit Pay ProgramUnilateral ImplementationImproper PracticePublic Employee OrganizationRepresentation ProceedingStatus QuoAdministrative ReviewLabor DisputeAffirmation of Judgment
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Electric Alarm Trade Ass'n v. Local Union No. 3, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

This action was initiated under Section 301(a) of the National Labor Relations Act by a plaintiff seeking $450,000 in damages from a defendant union. The plaintiff alleged a breach of Article VIII, section III of their collective bargaining agreement, which stipulated the union's obligation to organize the burglar alarm industry. The defendant moved to dismiss the action or, alternatively, to stay proceedings pending arbitration. The Court denied the defendant's motion to dismiss, affirming the validity of the plaintiff's claim for relief. However, the Court granted the alternate motion, concluding that the dispute fell within the broad arbitration clause of the collective bargaining agreement and ordered the proceedings to be stayed pending arbitration.

Labor LawArbitrationCollective Bargaining AgreementBreach of ContractNational Labor Relations ActStay of ProceedingsDamages ClaimUnion ObligationsGrievance ProcedureFederal Court Decision
References
5
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