On January 12, 2022, Kalijariv, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch partner Heidi Burakiewicz was interviewed on the Federal News Network “Federal Drive” podcast regarding the long-awaited addition of three members to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Interviewer Tom Temin also asked Burakiewicz about the status of two class action lawsuits in which she represents federal employees that were not paid during the two government shutdowns of 2013 and 2018-2019.
Burakiewicz stated that both cases, alleging that the government violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by requiring essential employees to go to work and not paying them in a timely manner, are on appeal to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. She hopes to get a decision from the court before the end of 2022.
Temin pointed out that Burakiewicz and her team have “helped the government develop a muscle that it really needs — that is, to be able to back calculate these kinds of payroll issues.” Burakiewicz added that there were “a lot of hurdles to cross during that damage calculations process” but the hard work paid off and she now knows how the government electronically downloads information from the payroll centers.
To listen to the complete interview, click here.