Gurumurthy Kalyanaram on Lawsuits and Policies: Brief Report on Trent V. Bolger

Gurumurthy Kalyanaram reports on lawsuits and policies and in this brief he reports briefly on the implication of Trent v. Bolger for tolling provisions of Collective Bargaining Agreement.

In Trent v. Bolger, 837 F.2d 657 (4th Cir. 1988), the Fourth Circuit applied the simple rule that the limitations period is tolled while an employee pursues the appeal procedures provided in collective bargaining agreement.

In Trent, Trent had the right to take a direct appeal of the board’s action, albeit on limited grounds, in order to attempt to directly overturn the board’s award.  Thus, the right to appeal was not independent and it did not provide different relief.

Gurumurthy Kalyanaram on Lawsuits and Policies: US Supreme Court Will Consider the Right to a Beard by a Prisoner

Gurumurthy Kalyanaram reports on lawsuits and policies and in this brief discusses the question on the right to a beard by a prisoner.

Holt’s lawsuit in the Arkansas federal district court has now reach the US Supreme Court for its consideration and review.

Holt, a religious prisoner in Arkansas, was denied permission to grow a beard as dictated by his faith.  Arkansas prison officials, per their manual, demanded that Holt trim his beard substantially.  Arkansas prison policy prohibits prisoners from having beards that are more than a quarter-inch long, and then only if a doctor has diagnosed them with a skin problem. Holt refuses to do comply with this policy.