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

Case No. 2020 NY Slip Op 03163 [184 AD3d 931]
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 04, 2020

Matter of Skytown Entertainment, LLC (Commissioner of Labor)

SkyTown Entertainment, LLC, a video and film production company, appealed a decision by the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board. The Board ruled that SkyTown was liable for additional contributions for 14 individuals it considered independent contractors, but the Department of Labor and the Board deemed statutory employees under Labor Law § 511 (1) (b) (1-a). SkyTown argued against this classification, but the court found that the individuals were engaged in artistic endeavors requiring skill and expertise, thus supporting the Board's finding of statutory employment. Furthermore, SkyTown did not enter into written contracts stipulating these individuals as employees of another employer, nor could it rebut the statutory presumption of employment using common-law tests. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the Board's decision.

Unemployment InsuranceIndependent ContractorStatutory EmployeeLabor LawFilm ProductionVideo ProductionPerforming ArtsEmployer-Employee RelationshipAppellate ReviewUnemployment Insurance Appeal Board
References
4
Case No. 2018 NY Slip Op 00210 [157 AD3d 1093]
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 11, 2018

Matter of Minefee (United Stas. Radio Networks, Inc.--Commissioner of Labor)

This case concerns Delance Minefee's claim for unemployment insurance benefits. The Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board determined that United Stations Radio Networks, Inc. was liable for contributions, ruling that 'callers' were statutory employees under Labor Law § 511 (1) (b) (1-a) as persons engaged in the performing arts. The Appellate Division, Third Department, reversed this decision. The court found the Board's interpretation of the statute irrational, clarifying that the individual's services, not the overall artistic endeavor, must require artistic or technical skill. As the callers' services lacked such skill, the statutory presumption of employment was not met. The matter was remitted to the Board to assess whether a common-law employer-employee relationship existed.

Unemployment InsuranceEmployer-Employee RelationshipPerforming ArtsStatutory EmployeeLabor Law InterpretationAppellate DivisionReversed and RemittedRadio BroadcastingArtistic SkillTechnical Skill
References
2
Case No. CA 16-00663
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 10, 2017

INTERNATIONAL UNION (DISTRICT) v. NEW YORK STATE DEPT. OF LABOR

This case involves an appeal concerning the interpretation of Labor Law § 220 (3-e) in New York, specifically regarding the prevailing wage for glazier apprentices on public works projects. Plaintiffs, a consortium of unions, individuals, and businesses, challenged the New York State Department of Labor's (DOL) interpretation that glazier apprentices performing work classified for another trade (like ironworkers) must be paid at the journeyman rate for that other trade. The Supreme Court initially dismissed the plaintiffs' complaint, upholding the DOL's position. However, the Appellate Division reversed this decision, ruling that Labor Law § 220 (3-e) permits glazier apprentices registered in a bona fide program to be paid apprentice rates, irrespective of whether the work performed falls under a different trade classification. The court concluded that the DOL's interpretation was contrary to the plain meaning of the statute and thus not entitled to deference.

Apprenticeship ProgramsLabor LawPublic Works ProjectsGlaziersIronworkersPrevailing WageStatutory InterpretationNew York State Department of LaborDeclaratory JudgmentAppellate Review
References
33
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
May 03, 2000

RLI Insurance v. New York State Department of Labor

This appeal concerns a dispute between a surety and the Department of Labor over funds held by a school district. The surety, after posting performance and payment bonds for a public improvement project, expended over $176,000 to complete the project and pay laborers following the contractor's default. The Department of Labor sought to withhold funds from the school district for the contractor's underpaid wages on both the subject project and an unrelated one, invoking Labor Law § 220-b (2) (a) (1). The Supreme Court dismissed the surety's application, ruling that the Department of Labor's claim for underpaid wages, even from unrelated projects, was superior. The Appellate Division affirmed this judgment, establishing that Labor Law § 220-b (2) creates a statutory trust for underpaid wages that takes precedence over a surety's subrogation claims.

Surety bondsPerformance bondPayment bondPublic improvement projectSubrogation rightsUnderpaid wagesPrevailing wageStatutory trustLien LawLabor Law
References
3
Case No. 2015-06-1358
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 09, 2016

Watson, Reginald v. Labor Smart

Reginald Watson, an employee, sustained head and back injuries in a work-related fall on July 18, 2015, while working for Labor Smart. Labor Smart failed to timely provide medical care, leading Watson to seek unauthorized treatment. The court found Labor Smart violated workers' compensation law by not offering a panel of physicians and referred the matter for a civil penalty. Despite some medical uncertainty regarding the exact cause of headaches, the court credited Watson's and his fiancée's testimony, concluding he was likely to prove his inability to work since September 1, 2015, due to the accident. Consequently, the court ordered Labor Smart to provide temporary total disability benefits to Mr. Watson from September 2, 2015, until he is no longer eligible.

Temporary Total DisabilityExpedited HearingMedical Treatment DelayWorkers' Compensation LawCausation of InjuryPost-Traumatic HeadachesSpinal InjuryEmployer NegligenceCivil PenaltyTennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Rochester Club v. New York State Labor Relations Board

The petitioner, an employer, was charged with unfair labor practices by the New York State Labor Relations Board. Despite a trial examiner's recommendation to dismiss the complaint, the Board found unfair labor practices and ordered the matter reopened for further hearings to determine employee reinstatement and back pay. The petitioner initiated an Article 78 proceeding to review this Board order, which the Board moved to dismiss as non-final. The court held that under New York Labor Law, the Board's order, granting no relief and requiring further evidence, is an interlocutory order not subject to immediate judicial review. The court distinguished this from federal practice, where similar orders may be considered final, due to differences in state and federal procedural acts. Consequently, the court dismissed the petition, ruling that a final order from the Board was still pending.

Administrative LawJudicial ReviewFinal OrderInterlocutory OrderLabor LawUnfair Labor PracticeNew York State Labor Relations BoardArticle 78 ProceedingAppellate ProcedureStatutory Interpretation
References
8
Case No. 2021 NY Slip Op 00461
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 28, 2021

Matter of Executive Cleaning Servs. Corp. v. New York State Dept. of Labor

Executive Cleaning Services Corporation and Cef Saiz, the petitioners, challenged a determination by the Commissioner of Labor, alleging they failed to pay prevailing wages for cleaning services provided to the Ossining Public Library. The Department of Labor initiated an investigation following an employee complaint and concluded that the contract was subject to the prevailing wage provisions of Labor Law article 9. Petitioners argued the library was not a 'public agency' as defined by Labor Law § 230 (3), thus exempting their contract from prevailing wage requirements. The Appellate Division, Third Department, ultimately agreed with the petitioners, finding that despite its public function and ties to the school district, the Ossining Public Library does not fit the statutory definition of a public agency under Labor Law § 230 (3). Consequently, the Commissioner's determination was annulled, the petition granted, and the action for declaratory judgment severed and remitted to the Supreme Court.

Prevailing Wage LawLabor Law Article 9Public Agency DefinitionOssining Public LibraryEducation CorporationCPLR Article 78 ProceedingDeclaratory Judgment ActionBuilding Service ContractsSchool District Public LibraryAdministrative Law
References
18
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Reynolds Ex Rel. National Labor Relations Board v. Curley Printing Co.

The National Labor Relations Board sought a temporary injunction against Curley Printing Company, Inc. under Section 10(j) of the National Labor Relations Act, following unfair labor practice charges by Printing Pressmen Local 37 and Nashville Bookbinders Local 83. The court found reasonable cause to believe that Curley Printing engaged in unfair labor practices including retaliatory shift changes, layoffs, subcontracting, harassment, unlawful discharges of employees (Robert Proper, Clarence Nail, Garner Norfleet), and refusal to bargain in good faith after the Bookbinders' union victory. The court granted the injunction, compelling the company to cease these practices, bargain in good faith, and reinstate most of the affected employees, excluding Clarence Nail due to his other full-time employment and unionization purpose. The decision aimed to prevent the dissipation of union support pending the Board's final adjudication.

Unfair Labor PracticesTemporary InjunctionNational Labor Relations ActUnion BustingEmployee ReinstatementCollective BargainingShift ChangesLayoffsSubcontractingEmployee Harassment
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Chesterfield Associates v. New York State Department of Labor

This case addresses Chesterfield Associates' challenge to the New York Department of Labor's 'annualization' rule (12 NYCRR 220.2 [d]), used to assess compliance with the prevailing wage law (Labor Law art 8) on public projects. Chesterfield disputed the annualization of its profit-sharing pension contributions made on behalf of employees who worked on public projects in Nassau and Suffolk counties between 1994 and 1997. The annualization rule calculates an hourly cash equivalent of benefits by dividing total contributions by total annual hours worked (both public and private). Chesterfield argued this methodology effectively penalized contractors by demanding prevailing rates for private work or forcing cash supplements. The Commissioner of Labor, whose decision was affirmed by the Appellate Division and the Court of Appeals, determined that annualization was a reasonable method to value fringe benefits, prevent cost-shifting, and ensure fair competition among contractors.

Prevailing Wage LawAnnualization RuleLabor Law § 220Fringe BenefitsPension ContributionsPublic Works ProjectsContractor ComplianceProfit-Sharing PlanJudicial ReviewAdministrative Deference
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Pyramid Co. v. New York State Department of Labor

The petitioner, Pyramid Co., challenged a determination by the Commissioner of Labor that its frontage road project in Syracuse, largely constructed on state land to provide access to its shopping mall, was subject to prevailing wage laws under Labor Law § 220. Despite being deemed a "public works project" due to its public benefit and eventual state acquisition, the court found that the Department of Transportation (DOT) was not a party to the construction contract, and the highway work permits issued by DOT did not constitute "contracts for construction." This failed to satisfy a key condition of Labor Law § 220. Consequently, the Commissioner's determination was annulled, and the petitioner's CPLR article 78 petition was granted.

Prevailing Wage LawPublic Works ProjectContract RequirementHighway Work PermitsDepartment of Labor DeterminationAnnulmentCPLR Article 78 ProceedingConstruction ProjectState LandCarousel Center
References
9
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