Rogers v. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689

**Rogers v. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689: Court Upholds Penalty Against Worker's Lawyer** This case involved a dispute between a worker named Rogers and their union, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689. The specific details of the original employment dispute aren't provided, but the court ruling focused on a procedural issue that arose during the legal proceedings. Rogers' lawyer failed to show up for a scheduled deposition (a formal interview under oath where witnesses answer questions). Because of this absence, the court had previously ordered Rogers to pay the union $490 to cover expenses caused by the missed deposition. Rogers then asked the court to reconsider this penalty, arguing their lawyer had a valid excuse for missing the deposition. The court rejected Rogers' request and upheld the $490 penalty. The judge found that Rogers' lawyer didn't provide a sufficient excuse for missing the deposition and that the situation didn't meet the legal standards required for the court to change its earlier decision. This case serves as an important reminder for workers involved in legal disputes: your attorney's mistakes can cost you money. When lawyers miss important court dates or depositions without proper justification, courts may order you to pay the other side's expenses, even if the error wasn't your fault.