When the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit joined the Seventh Circuit on August 22 in declaring certain arbitration agreements were overly broad for denying worker rights, the decision struck fear in the hearts of corporations everywhere.

And it certainly struck the nervous system of their lawyers. Fisher Phillips, a gigantic firm (33 offices, 350 attorneys) whose central practice is representing employers, headlined the case as "Employers Lose Latest Battle In National War" and bluntly tells employers this decision is their "most bruising loss in the ongoing war involving class action waivers."

New York, NY (June 22, 2016) – The Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, and OPEIU Local 153 today announce their endorsement of Anna Throne-Holst for the 1st District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Suffolk County, Long Island. 

“OPEIU is putting our full support behind Anna Throne-Holst because of her stance on a number of issues of importance to our members,” said OPEIU President Richard Lanigan.  “She has put at the top of her agenda creating good jobs on Long Island and protecting American workers, ensuring quality education for every child, and protecting Social Security and Medicare.

Orlando, Florida (June 6, 2016) --  Delegates to the Office and Professional Employees International Union 27thConvention today elected Richard Lanigan to serve as president for the next three years.  Also reelected to her third term was Secretary-Treasurer Mary Mahoney. 

Lanigan was named president by the OPEIU Executive Board in December following the resignation of Michael Goodwin.  In February 2016, Lanigan was sworn in as a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council. Lanigan has served as Secretary-Treasurer of OPEIU Local 153 and as an International vice president for Region II since 1994. 

Mahoney is also president of OPEIU Local 6 in Boston, Massachusetts, serving in that role since 1995.

At least 45,000 workers have won class-action lawsuit rights in a National Labor Relations Board case against Menard’s.

The midwest-based home improvement supply store chain owned by Wisconsin anti-union billionaire John Menard is settling the case with the NLRB rather than trying to fight the charges that his company is violating labor law.

OPEIU Local 153 attorney Seth Goldstein filed the charges along with attorney Marissa McDermott.