Pennsylvania Lacrosse Refs Are Contractors, Can’t Unionize (1)

Pennsylvania interscholastic lacrosse referees are independent contractors, not employees who can form a union, the D.C. Circuit ruled June 14.

The court’s decision suggests that it’s reluctant to fully endorse the more stringent test for legal “employee” status that was recently established by the National Labor Relations Board. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is the primary forum for appeals of labor board rulings.

Two key factors underpinned the court’s decision: The officials are paid for eight to 10 games per year at most and they work for a short duration, the D.C. Circuit said. The court ...