Gehrke has an expertise in the Railway Labor Act, a niche area of federal labor laws specific to employees in the railroad and airline industries.
"There are just a handful of firms that do this work, some that are very heavy hitters," Gehrke said. "It is a finite group of people."
She served as lead counsel for United Airlines in a hybrid claim against both United Airlines and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers under the Railway Labor Act. San Francisco International Airport ramp service workers filed the class action alleging they weren't given appropriate lead pay or seniority credit when they performed lead responsibilities.
The case was twice dismissed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, then appealed to 9th Circuit Court of Appeal where the judgment was affirmed in defendants' favor. Smith v. United Airlines, 14-17569 (9th Cir. Dec. 22, 2016).
Gehkre describes the United Airlines case as a career highlight, particularly because of the complexities of the Railway Labor Act hybrid claim: The ramp service workers alleged breach of contract by United Airlines and breach of the duty of fair representation against their union.
"Every day is a new day and that's what I love about my job. There's always something new coming across my desk," she said.
Gehkre said she finds much of her job involves educating employers on workplace regulations.
"Most employers want to comply with the law, but they don't always know the fine details," she said.
— Jennifer McEntee
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