FINRA Proposes Rule Change for Class Action Employment Claims
According to Investment News, FINRA will be proposing a rule change that might help brokers pursue class action employment claims (collective action claims).
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. wants to ban from its arbitration forums so called “collective action” claims brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act or the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
That would make it easier to pursue court claims, according to plaintiff’s attorneys who filed the suits.
The Finra board last week authorized its staff to file a proposed rule change with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC would have to approve the proposal.
The rule change is being sought after federal courts last fall, and again in February of this year, ordered that collective-action wage-and-hour cases be heard in Finra arbitrations.
Finra has maintained that these types of cases, as well as class actions, are not allowed in its dispute resolution system. However, its rules mention class actions only.
Collective actions claims require covered plaintiffs to opt into the lawsuit, whereas class actions require an opt-out.
It appears that a rule change by Finra would help brokers pursue wage-and-hour collective action claims.
In the past, in banning class actions from the Finra arbitration system, Finra and the SEC have argued that such cases are better handled by courts.
Several years ago, all the major brokerage firms settled broker suits over alleged violation of wage-and-hour laws, as well as overtime violations. As a result, firms adjusted their expense-sharing policies and compensation plans, and some brokers received payments.
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If you are a broker seeking representation in an employment dispute with your current or former employer, the securities attorneys of The White Law Group may be able to help. Call 888-637-5510 for a free consultation with a securities attorney.
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Tags: Age Discrimination in Employment Act, class action, collective action, Fair Labor Standards Act, FINRA class action, FINRA collective employment actions, FINRA jurisdiction, FINRA rule change, securities compliance, securities employment attorney, securities employment lawyer, securities regulation Last modified: April 25, 2019
