Workers’ Rights Task Force

Proposed Agenda

June 30, 2010

11:00Pre-Meeting for Legal Advocates

A “round robin” discussion of current cases, intake screening, case priorities and referral protocols—for both legal services and private attorneys. We’ll get picture of who is doing what. Bring your favorite case—or your toughest one—for discussion with other practitioners. All are welcome.

12:00Getting Together: Lunch, Welcome and Introductions

We’ll continue at noon with a working lunch and conversation. For intros, we’ll go around the room for the “one minute” description: your group, your work, your interests in workers’ rights. Later, we’ll hear more!

Employment law launch: Zenaida Lockard will describe the KEJC’s new grant-funded project. It has four dimensions: litigation, policy advocacy, community education and . . . this task force.

1:00Special Guest Speaker: David Suetholz, General Counsel, Kentucky Labor Cabinet

Our special guest will describe the Cabinet's enforcement role, activities and priorities—from investigation of individual complaints to recent high impact cases. Then, Q&A and discussion.

1:45The Radar Screen: Issue Updates

We’ll get short reports on several current issues:

Misclassification: Workers lose benefits and, often, face higher taxes (often all at once). Revenue is lost from UI, state coffers and workers comp funds. The reason: improper treatment of employees as “independent contractors.” From the feds on down, the issue is getting attention. Zenaida Lockard describes recent Kentucky efforts and a current initiative.

Unemployment Insurance: This one matters, especially during a recession. The stimulus bill provided extended benefits and extra federal funds for UI. Congress is debating further extensions as we write. Meanwhile, Kentucky’s trust fund borrowed millions. Rich Seckel describes what the General Assembly did to address the shortfall, plus modernization options still available to help part-time and non-traditional workers.

“Work Now Kentucky:” The Governor signed an emergency regulation to launch it. The money comes from the stimulus package, through TANF emergency funds. It’s a lot: an estimated $58 million, for up to 9,710 jobs, at an average $9.40 per hour, 35 hours a week. We’ll pass out the state’s flyer and emergency reg.

Your report here: We’ll have few minutes for news from the floor. Participating in a campaign? Have recent victory? Know of a key policy change? Let us know, too.

2:00The Heart of the Matter: What We Do, What We Care about, What We Want Changed

Brainstorm: We’ll take more time to hear from around the room. The idea is build a shared picture of who we work with, what we do now and any policy changes we seek. The questions:

  • What workers do you care about, work with and serve?
  • How do you do it? What activities or services do you offer?
  • What policy changes or other initiatives do you think would help advance workers rights?

We’ll record the answers on big sheets of paper.

2:45Planning Ahead

Topics:We’ll spend a few minutes brainstorming topics for future agendas, plus ideas for Task Force participants and speakers. We may also discuss use of technology for long distance meetings. Webinar, anyone?

3:00Adjourn

Zenaida Lockard

Kentucky Equal Justice Center

455 South Fourth Street, Suite 600
Louisville, KY 40202
502-333-6019 phone
502-333-6012 fax