Happy, a 47-year-old female Asian elephant, has been living in New York’s Bronx Zoo since 1977. For the past 13 years she has lived alone. Her lifelong companion Grumpy was fatally injured by two of the zoo’s other elephants in 2002, after which Happy was placed in an enclosure with a young male elephant named Sammy. Sammy died of liver disease in 2006. That year, the Bronx Zoo announced that it was ending its elephant programme and would acquire no new elephants. Either Happy will be transferred elsewhere, or she will die in solitary confinement in New York. In October, the Nonhuman Rights Project, a non-profit organisation that is seeking to achieve legal rights for certain animals, filed a petition in New York claiming that Happy is being “unlawfully imprisoned”. At the Nonhuman Rights Project’s request, the judge issued on behalf of Happy a writ of habeas corpus – a court order that is usually given to allow prisoners to challenge the legality … [Read more...] about A case of man vs beast: the fight for nonhuman rights
Successful unfair dismissal cases
Co Antrim Delivery firm ordered to pay £5k over unfair dismissal of driver
Co Antrim Delivery firm ordered to pay £5k over unfair dismissal of driver BelfastTelegraph.co.uk A Co Antrim freight firm has been ordered to pay over £5,000 in compensation to a former employee after a tribunal ruled he was unfairly dismissed. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/co-antrim-delivery-firm-ordered-to-pay-5k-over-unfair-dismissal-of-driver-38010202.html https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/incoming/article38010707.ece/470d7/AUTOCROP/h342/courts-gavel.jpg Email A Co Antrim freight firm has been ordered to pay over £5,000 in compensation to a former employee after a tribunal ruled he was unfairly dismissed. Stephen Hare took the case against Crumlin-based Beatties Distribution Services Ltd, where he worked as a delivery driver for three years. In January 2018 Mr Hare applied for a similar job with another company and he was interviewed the following month. In March 2018 he received a letter from his prospective new employer … [Read more...] about Co Antrim Delivery firm ordered to pay £5k over unfair dismissal of driver
Details of Wigan Warriors’ bid to have salary cap case dismissed revealed for first time
Wigan unsuccessfully tried to have the case against them breaking the salary cap thrown out over a central payment to a star player, a report into their appeal hearing has revealed. Earlier this month the Warriors had two competition points - initially docked on the eve of the new season - reinstated after challenging the punishment for breaking the 2017 cap.A 16-page report summarising their appeal, and the verdict, has tonight been publishing on the website of Sports Resolutions, the independent body which heard the case.It reveals that although Wigan had admitted breaking the cap by about £15,000, they lodged an "eleventh hour" argument that they should be cleared.They claimed that a portion of one specific player's salary should have been excluded from the 2017 cap as he received a central payment.That player was one of the few in Super League who received money for "ambassadorial services" from the RFL, as part of a "confidential" scheme introduced to try and keep stars away … [Read more...] about Details of Wigan Warriors’ bid to have salary cap case dismissed revealed for first time
Manningtree businessman successfully fights international airline over booking fee
PUBLISHED: 18:25 20 February 2019 | UPDATED: 18:25 20 February 2019 A Manningtree businessman has successfully challenged an international airline Picture: TongRo Image Stock (C) 2006 TongRo Image Stock An Essex businessman has successfully challenged an international airline over booking fees and forced them to abolish some “unfair” credit card charges. The surcharges were abolished in January last year following the UK’s adoption of an EU law.But KLM-AirFrance continued to charge passengers who paid them with certain cards after that date, including personal American Express cards, despite the fact that these cards were included in the ban.Nigel Roberts, 47, from Manningtree, who is the CEO of an online business, complained to KLM after he was charged a surcharge in February last year.The airline initially dismissed the complaint, claiming the ticket had been bought with a company card.When Mr Roberts persisted, KLM claimed they made an exception for American … [Read more...] about Manningtree businessman successfully fights international airline over booking fee
Workers slam parcel giant’s disciplinary system brought in after courier died
Parcel giant DPD has been accused of using an unfair points-based disciplinary system to sack drivers. The firm was forced to review its practices after the death of employee Don Lane, who cancelled meetings with kidney specialists over fears he would be fined £150 for attending a hospital appointment. But scores of drivers say a new system subsequently introduced is even worse. DPD drivers who make mistakes or don’t turn up for work are now given points. If they tot up 21 points, their contracts are terminated. Employment specialists Leigh Day are pursuing unfair dismissal claims for eight Scottish workers who are part of a class action involving 76 cases due to be heard at a tribunal in Cardiff. The firm’s Nigel Mackay said: “This points-based system is not recognised in employment law as being enough for someone to lose their job if the points have been given for trivial reasons. “Some are getting points for being unable to make work. “There are … [Read more...] about Workers slam parcel giant’s disciplinary system brought in after courier died