Rowland Layoff Info

-1/17/17

There has been quite a bit of frustration with members trying to communicate with the lawfirm involved in the Rowland Settlement.  While there is plenty of room for understanding why this small lawfirm doesn't have the capacity to respond to communications from 4,000 class-action members, it can none-the-less be a bit frustrating when countless phone calls and emails appear to go unheard.  While all of the messages are reviewed by SGT Law, not all receive a response and this (often times) leads to members contacting their Union offices to complain or attempt to intervene.   Since this is somewhat overwhelming and unworkable, the Union presidents (including A&R) made a request and received an agreement from SGT Law to:

(1) immediately acknowledge all emails;
(2) generate monthly communications to class members about where they are in the various categories of cases still outstanding; and
(3) send copies of those communications to all of the Unions.

This will not necessarily speed up the settlement process, however, it is anticipated that acknowledgement of the communications and updates on the process will lower the level of anxiety and repeated requests for contact.

The State has begun to credit employees with their award for Emotional Distress and Punitive Damagers during the month of January 2016.  To be eligible for an award you must have been employed with the State on 11/17/2002.  The Emotional Distress and Punitive Awards are as follows:

Laid-Off and Currently working for the State: 80 hrs Vacation & 40 hrs PL
Laid-Off and not Currently working for the State: $1,500 (paid in two yearly installments)

Economic Damages Awards

Gross economic¹ loss
less: mitigation² or replacement earnings
less: 30% settlement discount
plus: prejudgment interest calculated from the date of loss to the date of payment at a rate of 5% per year.

¹Gross economic loss includes, where applicable, lost wages, lost pension benefits and lost health insurance or damages resulting from loss of health insurance coverage.