INTRODUCTION

The 2009 legislative sessions in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. have yielded significant developments for labor and employment law. Some of the new laws provide greater flexibility for employers and seek to minimize differences between state and federal law. Other laws have created new duties for employers and may expose employers to liability for older claims. Additionally, there are bills still pending that show important policy-making trends in labor and employment law. Overall, the national employment law trends reflect the political changes in Washington, including the increase in legislative influence of labor unions.