Update: Dukes v. Wal-Mart
On August 25th, Wal-Mart asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the recent decision by the Ninth Circuit that upholds certification of the largest sex discrimination class in U.S. history in Dukes v. Wal-Mart. The case, which was brought in 2001 by ERA and co-counsel, alleges that Wal-Mart denies women promotions, training
opportunities, and equal pay. Named plaintiff Edith Arana stated, "ERA's support has helped
us stay confident through the numerous delays in this case. We know what is
right."
Momentous bills passed by State Senate
The California State Senate and Assembly have passed two bills crucial to the lives of workers. The Equal Access to Justice Bill (AB 2773) ensures that all workers who prevail in discrimination cases arising under the California Fair Employment & Housing Act have the right to recover reasonable fees and costs, even if their damages are modest. The Bereavement Leave Bill (AB 2340) allows California workers to take time off upon
the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or
domestic partner. Both bills are now on the Governor's desk for review.
As previously reported, Staff Attorney Monali Sheth and former Ruth Chance Law Fellow Luz Mayberg joined the
California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA) at their Annual Lobby Day in Sacramento to support the passage of these two bills.
ERA Welcomes Nicole Marquez
 ERA is proud to welcome Nicole
Marquez as our 16th Ruth Chance Law Fellow. A graduate of the
University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Nicole was also the co-president of the
Latino Law Student Association. She was the
recipient of the Colorado Supreme Court Diversity Fellowship where she served as Legal
Fellow to Justice Martinez of the Colorado Supreme Court. Nicole was a legal
intern with California Rural Legal Assistance where she participated in field
monitoring to ensure grower compliance with labor laws and drafted memoranda on
both federal and state health and labor standards.
Nicole was also involved with an all-woman break-dancing group in Denver where she
gave presentations to Latina youth on the importance of education
and women in hip hop. |
ERA in the Community
California Commission on the Status of Women
ERA Staff Attorney Monali Sheth, along with ERA Summer Law Clerk Juhi Aggarwal, attended the CA Commission on the Status of Women hearing where Monali testified about the need for greater legal protections for caregivers and
health insurance for women on pregnancy disability leave.
Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network
Executive Director Arcelia Hurtado was invited to speak at a plenary session on
balancing work and family demands for women faculty in STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) at Hispanic-serving
Institutions. The workshop was organized by the QEM Network. Click here to view the agenda and links to presentations.
Dr. Shirley McBay, President (QEM) Network and Arcelia Hurtado
Craigslist Foundation Bootcamp 2010
Arcelia Hurtado was a featured speaker at the Craigslist Foundation Bootcamp about the necessity of cultivating the
next generation of leadership and new communication strategies in the
age of technology.
The Bootcamp brings together Bay Area leaders to encourage
collaboration among community members. Arcelia was joined by Merle
Lawrence (Levi Strauss Foundation) and Lateefah Simon (Lawyer's
Committee for Civil Rights).
Advice & Counseling Hotline
In addition to handling cases filed in court, ERA assists women and girls who are facing discrimination in administrative proceedings before
the FEHA, the EEOC, and the U.S. Office of Civil Rights. ERA also frequently assists women workers in negotiations
with employers to remedy practices before they escalate to litigation.
Women of color, the undocumented, and the most vulnerable of workers and
students are among our clients, including a restaurant worker who was sexually
assaulted, women facing blatant pregnancy discrimination and leave issues, and a young
girl who was bullied because she "looks like a boy."
Many of these women and
girls are able to get help through our Advice & Counseling
(A&C) program. Every day we receive calls from women who are facing
injustice. ERA is often the first point of contact for callers and serves
as an invaluable resource for information about legal rights.
The A&C line is an
invaluable asset for those needing immediate assistance. Becky*, is a recent caller who is emblematic of the many women who reach out to ERA. When Becky told her employer that she was pregnant, the employer subjected her to a hostile interrogation and withdrew her job responsibilities. The employer also ignored Becky's multiple inquires about her rights to leave time. ERA provided her with information about her legal rights to pregnancy leave. Armed with this knowledge, Becky was able to confront her employer and resolve the problem.
*Name has been changed
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