Virginia & Ambinder in the Press

"A former intern accusing MTV of failing to pay him for months of work asked a New York federal judge on Friday to certify a nationwide collective in his case, arguing it would be the most efficient way to resolve a case that could involve thousands of other workers."

"A New York City trial judge has certified a class of 751 current and former Jenny Craig workers who claim the weight-loss company changed their time cards to show they had taken 30-minute meal breaks when, in fact, they were pushed to work though the pause, a ruling posted Monday says."

"As summer ended, perhaps so did unpaid internships as we know them. The once commonplace “opportunity” to forego wages in exchange for work experience and connections may no longer be a viable option by the time summer 2014 rolls around. Bottom line: interns will now have to get paid at least minimum wage to wait in lines to get Cronuts for their bosses."

"A New York federal magistrate judge on Thursday granted first-step certification to a group of current and former service employees at two Long Island-based Marriott hotels, allowing them to proceed with their claims that the hotel failed to pay lawfully earned gratuities and overtime."

"The Madison Square Garden Co. on Monday became the latest company targeted in a putative class action alleging that it improperly classified regular employees as interns in an effort to avoid paying them, according to documents filed in New York federal court."

"A New York federal judge on Tuesday certified a class of waiters, bartenders, busboys and other workers who filed a proposed collective action against Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse accusing the chain of seizing their tips and paying them less than minimum wage."

Donna Karan International Inc., the popular designer of women's fashion, was hit with a putative class action in New York state court on Wednesday for allegedly classifying regular employees as interns and trainees to avoid paying them.

"Sean "Diddy" Combs' record label, Bad Boy Entertainment Inc., stiffed interns by not paying them any wages and assigning them to gift-wrap presents and run personal errands for paid employees, according to a putative class action filed Tuesday in New York federal court."

"Columbia Recordings Corp. on Tuesday became the latest company to be hit with a putative wage-and-hour class action over unpaid internships when a former intern filed suit, claiming the music giant misclassified its interns to avoid paying them wages under New York state labor laws. "

"A former unpaid intern at Warner Music Group Corp.'s Atlantic Records unit slapped the company with a putative wage-and-hour class action on Monday, which his lawyer says is the first case over an internship program to target the music industry."

Under his employment agreement, he was therefore entitled to six months’ pay and a brief non-compete agreement. However, his former employer argued that he had voluntarily resigned and was therefore entitled to no payment and was bound by a one year non-compete agreement. The arbitrator ruled completely in favor of V&A’s client, granting him six months’ pay and the shorter non-compete agreement.

"Exotic dancers who scored an $8 million settlement in their wage-and-hour class action against the Penthouse Executive Club in Manhattan can notify class members through an adult-oriented website and magazine, a New York federal judge ruled Thursday."