(BNN Breaking News)—A new Department of Labor rule faces a legal challenge in Louisiana, as plaintiffs argue it could threaten the freedom and business operations of independent contractors. The lawsuit seeks to prevent the rule’s implementation and preserve decades-old rules, as the future of independent contracting hangs in the balance.
A new Department of Labor rule, set to reclassify independent contractors as employees, faces a legal challenge. The lawsuit was filed on Thursday in a Louisiana federal court by the Liberty Justice Center and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy.
A Battle for Freedom and Livelihoods
Scheduled to take effect on March 11, the rule is intended to protect workers’ rights by reclassifying independent contractors as employees. However, the plaintiffs argue that it oversteps the department’s authority, is “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion,” and could force independent contractors into unwanted employment, thereby threatening their freedom and business operations.
The Plaintiff: A Trucking Business Owner
Cully Frisard, CEO of Frisard’s Transportation, a family-owned trucking business that employs over thirty independent contractors as owner-operators, is the plaintiff in this lawsuit. He fears that the new rule will disrupt his business model, which relies heavily on independent contractors.
A Call to Uphold Decades-Old Rules
The lawsuit seeks to prevent the rule’s implementation and recover attorney’s fees. It follows a similar injunction request in Georgia and aims to reinstate the rules that employers and independent contractors have relied on for decades.
The legal challenge represents a broader struggle for the rights and livelihoods of millions of American workers. The plaintiffs argue that the Biden Administration’s rule threatens to destroy the business model of independent contractors by adopting a vague test to distinguish between employees and contractors.
As the legal battle unfolds, the future of independent contracting hangs in the balance. The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications, shaping the landscape of work in the United States for years to come.
In the face of this new rule, the plaintiffs stand firm, advocating for the freedom and autonomy that independent contracting provides. Their fight is not just about preserving a business model, but about upholding the values of self-reliance and entrepreneurship that are deeply embedded in the American spirit.
As the world of work continues to evolve, the lines between employees and independent contractors are becoming increasingly blurred. This legal challenge serves as a reminder that the decisions made today will have lasting impacts on the lives and livelihoods of millions of workers tomorrow.
The lawsuit filed by the Liberty Justice Center and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy is more than just a challenge to a new rule. It is a call to uphold the principles of freedom, autonomy, and fairness that lie at the heart of the American dream.
As we await the outcome of this legal battle, one thing is clear: the fight for the rights and livelihoods of independent contractors is far from over.