Texas Lawyer magazine has published an article by Muskat Devine partners Mike Muskat and Corey Devine exploring labor and employment law changes expected under the Biden Administration. “From COVID-19 Relief to Paid Leave, Biden Administration Changes to Labor and Employment Law Could Go Further Than First Expected” (subscription required) outlines legislation that could pass given that Democrats now hold a slim majority in the Senate.
The article, the second installment of a commentary Mr. Muskat and Mr. Devine wrote for Texas Lawyer in November 2020, discusses why an effective Democratic majority in the Senate – by virtue of Vice President Kamala Harris’ tiebreaking vote – opens up potential changes to the labor and employment law landscape that seemed beyond reach in November.
Potential changes to labor and employment law that the Biden Administration and congressional Democrats will push hard for, and which now seem more likely to pass, include:
· Further COVID-19 Relief, including the extension of paid COVID-19 leave and a COVID-19 safety and health standard
· An increase to the federal minimum wage
· Paid family and medical leave
· Strengthened workplace protections for pregnant workers
Other more progressive changes that will be proposed, but not necessarily passed, include pay equity, comprehensive immigration reform and laws that make it easier for employees to form and join unions.
Mr. Muskat, who is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, has successfully litigated hundreds of cases on behalf of employers involving nearly every type of employment law claim. He has been named to the 2020 list of Texas Super Lawyers and was recognized by Benchmark Litigation as a Labor and Employment Star.
Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Mr. Devine has successfully litigated hundreds of traditional employment, wage-and-hour and unfair competition claims. He was named to the 2020 list of Texas Rising Stars by Super Lawyers in recognition for his work in management-side employment litigation.