Union Might Be Liable For Posting Workers’ Info

(CN) - The North Carolina Business Court allowed AT&T employees to proceed with a lawsuit against a labor union that allegedly violated state law by posting employees' Social Security numbers and other identifying information on a public bulletin board.

The ruling allows allegations that the Communication Workers of America violated the North Carolina Identity Theft Protection Act and the Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act by posting a spreadsheet containing the names, Social Security numbers and other information of 33 AT&T employees on a bulletin board at an AT&T building in Burlington, N.C. The three-page list was titled "2007 Cancellations by Local."

However, the court dismissed a claim for invasion of privacy, because the North Carolina Supreme Court has held that "claims for invasion of privacy by publication of true but 'private' facts are not cognizable at law in this state."

"If, as plaintiffs contend, there exists a 'crack' in North Carolina's invasion of privacy jurisprudence," Judge Diaz wrote, "this court has no authority to seal it. That power instead rests with the North Carolina Supreme Court."

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