Election of Remedies Provision in Labor Law 740 Precluded Retaliation Action Based Upon an Alleged Violation of NYC Administrative Code
The Second Department determined plaintiffs’ action for retaliation in employment in violation ov the NYC Administrative Code was barred by the election of remedies provision of Labor Law 740 (7):
[The Administrative Code-based] claim is barred by the election of remedies provision contained in Labor Law § 740(7). Labor Law § 740(7) provides that “the institution of an action in accordance with this section shall be deemed a waiver of the rights and remedies available under any other contract, collective bargaining agreement, law, rule or regulation or under the common law.” The waiver applies to causes of action arising out of or relating to the same underlying claim of retaliation … .
The plaintiffs in this action alleged retaliation pursuant to Labor Law § 740 in a prior action … . The claim asserted here pursuant to Administrative Code of the City of New York § 8-107 arises out of and relates to the same underlying claim of retaliation as asserted in the prior action. It is, therefore, barred by the Labor Law § 740(7) election of remedies provision … . The waiver may not be avoided by amending the complaint to withdraw the section 740 claim, as the plaintiffs did in the prior action … . Charite v Duane Reade Inc, 2014 NY Slip Op 06292, 2nd Dept 9-24-14