Nevada Cancer Institute sued after firing workers without warning

The Nevada Cancer Institute is being sued by a former employee, among dozens fired this month without warning.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court in Las Vegas claims former clinical research coordinator Shamine Poynor is owed 60 days wages and benefits because she was fired without warning or cause. The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, says her former co-workers deserve the same pay.

The federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988 requires employers to provide a 60-day notice prior to a mass layoff. Companies that do not follow the law could be ordered to pay former employees back pay and benefits for up to 60 days.

Poynor, hired in April 2006, said in her lawsuit she was not informed before her dismissal that the center could no longer afford to retain her.

Poynor’s lawyer, Larry Semenza , said he suspects center leaders knew they were going to fire employees long before they issued termination notices . Either way, the center must give its employees a 60-day warning, he said.

Cancer institute officials announced April 8 that roughly 150 employees would be dismissed immediately. Officials also limited projects not funded by research grants .