labor lawAdivision of labor law center

The minimum wage for tipped employees in North Carolina has been reduced to $2.13  per hour, for now, despite the increase in the state and federal minimum wage on July 24, 2008.

On July 24, both the federal and North Carolina minimum wages increased to $6.55 per hour. However, employees who earn at least $30 per month in tips can be paid less.

Until recently, the minimum wage for tipped workers in North Carolina was (more…)

On July 24, 2008, when the federal minimum wage rose from $5.85 per hour to $6.55 per hour, North Carolina ‘s minimum wage increased by 40 cents from $6.15 per hour to match the federal minimum of $6.55. That’s because under state law, when the federal minimum wage is higher, the North Carolina rate increases to match it.

On July 24, 2009, the North Carolina minimum wage will rise again (more…)

On July 24, 2008 the North Carolina minimum wage will increase 40 cents from $6.15 per hour to $6.55 per hour when the federal minimum wage increases. On that date, the federal minimum wage will increase 70 cents,  from $5.85 per hour to $6.55 per hour.

That’s because North Carolina is one of a host of states that ties the state minimum wage to the federal rate. In 2007, the North Carolina minimum wage was $6.15 per hour. However, under state law, if the federal minimum wage is higher, the North Carolina minimum wage automatically increases, as well.

On the same day, (more…)

In order to protect workers, employers should establish an emergency plan regarding violence on the job. This plan must train employees and managers on how to respond to workplace violence, and what steps to follow to prevent violence.

These precautions may seem overly cautious, but tragically, a number of recent violent incidents have proven the need for such precautions.

In the Chicago suburb of Tinley Park, Illinois on February 2, an armed man posed as a delivery man and tried to rob a Lane Bryant. Two customers entered during the robbery, and they, along with 4 other women in the store, were taken to the back room and bound with duct tape. During the robbery, the store manager called 911, enraging the shooter who promptly shot all 6 women, killing 5. A police officer was near the scene and arrived in less than a minute, but the gunman had already run away.

The lone surviving woman gave police a description of the shooter. A composite sketch of the suspect was distributed and police are searching for the killer.

The Virginia Tech massacre on April 16, 2007 left 32 students and staff dead and 17 more injured. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said the shooter demonstrated several signs of impending workplace violence.

Seung-Hui Cho was not seeking treatment for his mental illness. He exhibited an unhealthy interest in weapons and flew into rages. He also developed unhealthy crushes on women he barely knew, and would engage in behavior similar to stalking. Police and university officials were criticized for their initial lack of response.

In Kirkwood, Missouri, a gunman burst into the February 7th council meeting and opened fire. The town’s mayor was hurt. Three city officials and two police officers were killed. The shooter, a political activist, had been ejected from two council meeting in previous months.

The Northern Illinois University tragedy in DeKalb, Illinois on February 14 alarmed the campus and the nation. Steven Kazmierczak, a graduate student who had recently transferred to another Illinois college, burst into a lecture hall, shot 22 people, killing 6, and then turned the gun on himself.

Kazmierczak was described by professors as an award-winning student with an interest in Criminal Justice. Police reports confirmed that the shooter had gone off his medications three weeks prior and his behavior was erratic. Jessica Baty, his girlfriend, disagreed, declaring Steven stressed from school, adding that he bought the two guns for “home security.”

Unfortunately, these tragedies are but a few of the incidents of workplace violence, several incidents also occurred in 2007.

From the tragic massacre at Virginia Tech to a shooting at Delaware State University and a stabbing at an Orlando Denny’s Restaurant, 2007 saw several incidents of workplace violence. The two more recent tragic episodes in Illinois and Missouri were simply the most recent.

A tragic event in September left two 17-year-old students dead at Delaware State. The school went on lockdown and the 1,700-member student body was confined to dormitories. Word of both the shooting and the lockdown went out over cell phones.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with several other law enforcement agencies, assisted campus police in the search for the shooter. Dover, Delaware police interviewed a student about the shooting later.

The incident at the University of Wisconsin involved a man who threatened to blow up an area hospital and fired several rounds near the building. Police said the bomb threat was false. The man was attempting to provoke a shoot-out with officers that would end in his death, police said.

“It’s a simple case of attempted ‘suicide by cop,’” said one officer at the scene, Burt Bruins.

Two recent grants will help civilian workers adjust to base closures in North Carolina and Oklahoma. The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced the award of two grants totaling $500 million for displaced workers affected by the Base Realignment and Closure program, also referred to by the acronym BRAC.

“This $5 million grant will help workers from Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base transition to rewarding careers in high-growth, high-tech industries,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

The demonstration grant was awarded to the BRAC Regional Taskforce, a coalition of several North Carolina workforce development boards, universities, community colleges, school districts and economic development commissions. The funds will be used to plan for regional transformation and ensure that workers are prepared for high-tech jobs in support of national military preparedness and homeland security.

The BRAC Regional Taskforce is responsible for:

• Leveraging workforce, economic, and educational resources to support emerging industries
• Connecting the region’s workforce with education and career opportunities
• Connecting military, business and industry representatives with workforce development activities

“Programs funded by this award will lead workers in this North Carolina regional economy to higher-paying, high-tech careers,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “This pilot project will not only help North Carolina weather economic changes, but also provide the region the opportunity to develop a pool of skilled workers who are prepared to succeed in today’s competitive global economy.”

The second grant awarded a $2.5 million demonstration grant to aid civilian workers in Oklahoma. Grant funds will also be sued to assist military spouses and service members who are transitioning from the military sector to private industry. 

“This $2.5 million grant will help civilian workers, military spouses and service members affected by military base closures and relocations transition to new careers in high-growth industries,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

In this case, the grant was awarded to the Southwest Oklahoma Impact Coalition, or SOIC. The SOIC is a collaborative effort between businesses, economic and workforce development and education partners. Funds will be used to support activities that will create employment opportunities and improve the overall quality of life for area workers. SOIC will focus on activities including attracting and recruiting qualified workers for employment in regional industries. The group will also expand the education and workforce development infrastructure to support industry-specific education and training programs. In addition, SOIC will assist current workers in obtaining credentials and licensures for other professions. 

“As a result of today’s funding, Oklahoma will be modeling innovative approaches to regional BRAC-related economic transformation,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “Providing workers with in-demand education and skills not only will have the immediate effect of meeting employment needs, but also will lay the groundwork for long-term talent development and regional economic growth.”

These most recent grants come in the wake of more than $20 million in grants to assist several states with planning and implementation of project related to workers dislocated under the BRAC program. Projects in several states will help connect these individuals with job opportunities in the civilian economy.

“These $20 million in grants will help workers affected by military base closures and relocations,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “Civilian workers at those bases will be provided employment services to help them find new jobs in high-growth industries.”