Yesterday, in Robert M. Mallano v. John Chiang et
al., the court certified a class of 1,600 active state
court judges and 1,800 retired judges and pension beneficiaries.
The judges claim that the state has unlawfully withheld wage
increases, which in turn affect pension benefits. The fact that the
state court judge who heard the case sided with the state court
judges bringing the case shouldn't come as a huge
shock.
In fact, California state court judges are seriously underpaid
and haven't had a raise in over six years. You
can't pay judges less than many big-firm associates
without it ultimately affecting the number of qualified candidates
willing to assume that role.
Also, from an employer's perspective, it's OK if the
idea of judges bringing a class action surprises you. The surprise
you want to avoid is having your own employees bring one. In terms
of expense, stress, and disruption to your business, having qualified counsel audit your HR
and payroll practices
