Livermore Lab Case Continued To Allow Time For Mediation

OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer release the following: Judge Robert B. Freedman of the Alameda County Superior Court has continued the May 2015 trial in Andrews, et al. v. Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Case No. RG09453596, to allow the parties time to mediate this case that has been in litigation since May of 2009.

The 130 plaintiffs, represented by the law firm of Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer filed suit against Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS) for wrongful termination, breach of contract, age discrimination and other individual claims as a result of being laid off by LLNS in May 2008, shortly after the Lab's privatization.  LLNS, a private company led by Bechtel Corporation and the University of California, was awarded the contract to run the National Security Laboratory in 2007.  Prior to 2007, the Lab had been operated exclusively by the University of California, and had not had a mass layoff since the 1970's.  On May 22 and May 23, 2008, LLNS laid off over 400 career employees. The layoff occurred shortly after LLNS took control of the Lab.  The Plaintiffs contend that the layoff was done in order to save money for this contractor.

In an order issued on January 20, 2015, Judge Freedman confirmed the parties' agreement to mediate the case before a private mediator.  There have two long trials already in this litigation.  In 2013, an Alameda County jury awarded the first 5 plaintiffs damages of more than $3 million (including interest).  Ten more plaintiffs were scheduled to go to trial in May of 2015.  That trial was continued by Judge Freedman to October 2015, pending the results of the upcoming mediation.  The mediation is scheduled for April 2015.

SOURCE Gwilliam, Ivary, Chiosso, Cavalli & Brewer