The government may be in a partial shutdown, but the Second Circuit is alive and well, with two cases with big repercussions making moves in the judicial system.

State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition v. Rowland

On Friday, Connecticut officials submitted a petition for writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court, asking it to review a Second Circuit decision that could have a national ripple effect on the relationship between state governments and their unionized work force, reports The Associated Press.

The Second Circuit, noting that only union members were laid off, held that the layoff violated the union members’ “First Amendment right of freedom of association with labor unions,” according to The AP. Daniel Klau, lawyer for former Gov. Rowland stated: “We think that the case is incredibly important because the 2nd Circuit’s decision fundamentally changes the balance of power between management and labor in the public sector,” reports the AP.

In a 289-page petition, the Connecticut officials have asked the Supreme Court to review the Second Circuit’s opinion. This case may be particularly relevant now with states facing budget cuts and layoffs, it will be interesting to see if the Supreme Court decides to grant cert.

Chevron Trial Commences This Week

While Chevron claims that the judgment is a result of fraud, a spokesperson for the Ecuadorian villagers says the claims are “baseless,” reports Reuters. We’ll see whom the court finds more convincing.

Related Resources:

  • Comity of Errors: Second Circuit Reverses Chevron Ruling (FindLaw’s U.S. Second Circuit Blog)
  • Chevron Ecuador: Oil Giant Fined 8.6 Billion by Ecuadoran Judge (FindLaw’s Decided)
  • DeFabio v. E. Hampton Union Free Sch. Dist., No. 09-4407 (FindLaw’s U.S. Second Circuit Blog)

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