Press Releases

New Legal Clinic for Low-Wage Workers Opens in San Bernardino

Legal Aid at Work and the Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino Team Up to Provide Free Legal Services in the Inland Empire

(San Bernardino, CA, February 6, 2018) — The Workers’ Right Clinic, devoted to addressing the employment issues of low-wage workers, has opened its doors at 588 West Sixth Street in San Bernardino. It runs from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of every month. People in need of assistance may either call … Continue reading “New Legal Clinic for Low-Wage Workers Opens in San Bernardino”

At 90, Air Force veteran Helen James, finally gets her honorable discharge decades after the military expelled her for being a lesbian

  Sixty-three years after the Air Force forced her out in disgrace for being a lesbian, Helen Grace James, age 90, was finally awarded the honorable discharge she has long sought. Helen entered the military in 1952 as a radio operator on a base in Roslyn, N.Y., following in the footsteps of her father, an … Continue reading “At 90, Air Force veteran Helen James, finally gets her honorable discharge decades after the military expelled her for being a lesbian”

Owner Of U.S.-Based Fishing Vessel Agrees To Precedent-Setting Settlement Over Allegations Of Human Trafficking, Abusive Labor Practices

After federal lawsuit alleged seamen were subjected to human trafficking and forced labor, ship’s owner agrees to new precedent-setting policies for informing workers of their rights under U.S. law

SAN FRANCISCO – Two Indonesian men have settled their claims against an American fishing boat captain whom they allege subjected them to forced labor and human trafficking. In a precedent-setting move for the U.S. commercial fishing industry, the ship’s owner also agreed to a code of conduct and to inform future seamen of their rights … Continue reading “Owner Of U.S.-Based Fishing Vessel Agrees To Precedent-Setting Settlement Over Allegations Of Human Trafficking, Abusive Labor Practices”

Janitorial worker sues CleanNet, claiming widespread wage and hour, labor trafficking violations

"I lost my time, my money, my business, and my dream.” — plaintiff Luis Castillo

Luis Castillo, who worked as a janitor for CleanNet under a purported “franchise agreement,” filed a lawsuit today on behalf of everyone in his position across California, claiming that they were never truly “franchise” owners at all but, rather, employees of CleanNet — and entitled to basic protections under California wage and hour laws. “I … Continue reading “Janitorial worker sues CleanNet, claiming widespread wage and hour, labor trafficking violations”

(photo of Red Bluff high school)

Northern California school district agrees to settle gender equity claims

Girls, their families agree to a plan for changes in programs and facilities at Red Bluff High School

Red Bluff Joint Union High School District has approved a settlement regarding the Title IX claims brought by girls at Red Bluff High School alleging they do not receive equal athletic facilities, benefits and opportunities to their male counterparts. The lawsuit, brought under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, alleged that boys were afforded many … Continue reading “Northern California school district agrees to settle gender equity claims”

Calif. expands job security for workers who take parental leave

Gov. Jerry Brown signs SB 63, New Parent Leave Act

Millions more new parents who work in California soon will be able to take up to 12 weeks off work without fear of being fired. The New Parent Leave Act (SB 63), which Gov. Jerry Brown signed today, was introduced by Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) and received bipartisan support. The bill was cosponsored by … Continue reading “Calif. expands job security for workers who take parental leave”

Treasure Island Job Corps worker files disability discrimination case

Federal contractor allegedly fired her for taking medical leave, using a cane

A residential coordinator for a company that runs Job Corps centers nationwide for the U.S. Department of Labor filed a federal discrimination and retaliation lawsuit today alleging that the company fired her for taking medical leave and requesting accommodations in order to return to work. Martha Daniels, who worked for Adams and Associates, Inc. at … Continue reading “Treasure Island Job Corps worker files disability discrimination case”

Preserving DACA is essential

Here is a statement from Legal Aid at Work president Joan M. Graff about the rescission of DACA: “During this time of confusion and uncertainty, it is important to bear in mind that all workers, regardless of their immigration status, have rights. DACA recipients — like their coworkers — continue to have protections under federal … Continue reading “Preserving DACA is essential”

Former Holiday Inn Express, Montana Mike’s workers file labor trafficking class action

OKLAHOMA (Thurs., July 27) — Workers recruited from the Philippines to work in hospitality businesses in Oklahoma under the H-2B guest worker program filed a federal lawsuit today alleging they were induced to pay high recruitment fees and then were paid less than they had been promised, denied the lodging, meals, and transportation they had … Continue reading “Former Holiday Inn Express, Montana Mike’s workers file labor trafficking class action”