Velox Express, Inc.

National Labor Relations Board - Administrative Judge Opinions

Sep 25, 2017

15-CA-184006 (N.L.R.B. Sep. 25, 2017)

JD−76−17
Little Rock, AR
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BEFORE THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
DIVISION OF JUDGES
VELOX EXPRESS, INC.
And Case 15-CA-184006
JEANNIE EDGE,
An Individual
Linda Mohns, and Kyle McKenna, Esqs.
for the General Counsel.
Benjamin C. Fultz and E. Rachael Dahlman Warf, Esqs. (Fultz Maddox Dickens PLC),
Louisville, Kentucky.
for the Respondent.
DECISION
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Arthur J. Amchan, Administrative Law Judge. This case was tried in Little Rock,
Arkansas on July 24 and 25, 2017. Jeannie Edge filed the initial charge in this matter on
September 12, 2016. The General Counsel issued the complaint on March 31, 2017 and an
amended complaint on April 13, 2017.
The General Counsel alleges that the Respondent, Velox Express, violated the Act in
discharging the Charging Party, Jeannie Edge, and in misclassifying its drivers as independent
contractors, as opposed to employees. He also alleges that Respondent has promulgated
unlawful rules and a discriminatory route driver agreement.
As explained below, I conclude that Jeannie Edge was an employee of Respondent and
that Respondent violated the Act in discharging her. I also find that Respondent violated the
Act in misclassifying some other drivers as independent contractors.
With regard to the allegedly violative rules, I conclude that Respondent’s non-
disparagement policy violates the Act, but that it did not, by Carol Christ, violate the Act in
sending an email to employees stating that all pay issues, complaints, concerns etc. should go
through her and no one else. Finally, I find that Respondent did not violate the Act by issuing
the route drivers agreement.
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2
On the entire record,1 including my observation of the demeanor of the witnesses, and
after considering the briefs filed by the General Counsel and Respondent, I make the following
FINDINGS OF FACT5
I. JURISDICTION
Respondent, a corporation, operates a courier service.2 It has headquarters in Indiana
and maintains a facility in Memphis, Tennessee, where it annually performs services valued in 10
excess of $50,000 in states other than Tennessee and purchases and receives goods in Memphis
valued in excess of $50,000 from outside of Tennessee. Respondent admits, and I find, that it
is an employer engaged in commerce within the meaning of Section 2(2), (6), and (7) of the
Act.3
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II. ALLEGED UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES
This case largely involves Respondent’s operations in Arkansas and to some extent
western Tennessee. Velox has a contract with Associated Pathologists, LLC (PathGroup),
which is a diagnostic medical laboratory company, to collect medical samples from facilities 20
such as doctor’s offices, clinics and hospitals. Respondent delivers these specimens to
PathGroup’s laboratory in Nashville, Tennessee for analysis. Several drivers pick up samples in
Arkansas, which are consolidated in Little Rock for transport by Velox’s “long haul” drivers to
Velox’s Memphis facility. Then the samples are further consolidated for shipment by Velox to
the PathGroup laboratory in Nashville.25
Jeannie Edge worked for Velox picking up samples in Arkansas. Prior to working for
Velox, Edge worked for Lab Express, which was replaced by Velox as the contractor collecting
PathGroup specimens.
30
In 2016 Velox entered into independent contractor agreements with Edge and other
drivers who collected the samples. These contracts, drafted by or for Velox, are “take or leave

1 Tr. 155, line 7: should read, “the relevance of ” rather than “letters.”
2 Respondent describes itself as a logistics company. It states it is not just a courier service because it
designs routes for its customers. However, there is no credible evidence that Respondent is anything
other than a courier service insofar as its contract with PathGroup is concerned. Indeed, the contract
between PathGroup and Velox specifies that Velox will provide “courier services;” it does not mention
any other type of service Velox is to render to PathGroup, R. Exh. 9.
PathGroup provided Velox with routes it had already designed; Velox then hired drivers to run those
routes, Tr. 32, 185-87, 336. Larry Lee testified that Velox made many suggestions and changes to
those routes. However, there is no evidence for this other than his self-serving testimony, which I
decline to credit. So far as PathGroup is concerned, Velox is a courier company and advertises itself as
such, G.C. Exh. 41.
3 While Respondent contends that it is not the employer of its drivers, it concedes that it has other
employees, such as its dispatchers, Tr. 339-40.
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3
it” documents. There was no true negotiation or opportunity to negotiate on the part of the
driver/courier.
Essentially, the drivers (also called medical couriers) were offered specific routes to
service and compensation was based on the size of the route. So far as this record shows, 5
drivers could not have more than one route that operated at the same time. Thus, they were
unable to make a profit by hiring drivers to operate a route that they were not driving
personally. If they could not drive their route on a given day, they had to ask permission from
Velox’s management for a day off. Velox then selected a substitute driver.
10
A driver’s compensation could change if stops were added or subtracted to their route.
Drivers had no responsibility or ability to develop business for Velox. They were not
precluded from working for other businesses at the same time they worked for Velox. Jeannie
Edge, for example, worked as an independent contract phlebotomist when not driving her
assigned route for Velox. However, it is unclear whether drivers could work for someone other 15
than Velox instead of covering their Velox routes. So far as this record is concerned, Velox
drivers’ ability to work for other businesses was no different than the opportunity for any
employee to moonlight.
A threshold issue in this case is whether the drivers were independent contractors or 20
employees, since the Act accords rights to the latter but not the former. Edge worked for
Respondent from June 22, to August 21, 2016, at which time Respondent either terminated her
contract or discharged her, depending on how you view her status. Prior to working for Velox,
Edge worked for Lab Express, which Velox replaced as the contractor collecting medical
samples for PathGroup’s Nashville, Tennessee laboratory. During the period Edge drove for 25
Velox, other drivers who worked for Respondent in Arkansas were Brett Woods, Jill Cross and
Marilyn, whose last name does not appear in this record.
In June 2016, Edge executed an independent contractor agreement with Velox. Edge
performed this job in her privately owned vehicle, purchased her own insurance and maintained 30
her car at her own expense. Velox did not withhold income tax and did not provide health
insurance to drivers. Velox couriers were not covered by Velox’s workers compensation
insurance policy either.
Velox promulgated many rules specifying how the drivers/couriers were to perform35
their jobs, G.C. Exhs.3, 5 and 11. When Edge needed a day off, she contacted Velox for
permission. Respondent obtained a substitute driver. Drivers were generally not allowed to
choose a substitute. In some cases it appears they could do so with the approval of Velox. This
was a change from Lab Express’ practice in which the driver was responsible for obtaining a
substitute.40
On July 24, Carol Christ, Velox’s manager in Memphis emailed Velox’s PathGroup
drivers. She advised them that they must answer phone calls from Velox’s dispatcher and
respond to her emails. Christ also told drivers they must not leave lids off the Styrofoam
containers and keep the Memphis storage areas neat.45
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4
In response to what she considered micromanaging by Christ, Edge began to complain
that Velox treated the drivers as employees, rather than as independent contractors. Christ was
aware that this was an issue with other drivers as well, Tr. 53-54, 235-36. In an email dated
July 25, Edge told Christ that another driver had already said he was going to report the
situation to the Internal Revenue Service. Christ forwarded Edge’s email to Larry Lee, a Velox 5
vice-president, who was Respondent’s only witness in this case, G.C. Exh. 4 (reverse side) and
is the person who terminated Edge.
On August 1, Christ sent an email to the drivers/couriers announcing a number of Velox
policies, including the following:10
Line hauls MUST run on time every time therefore DRIVERS must be in the office on
time.
If you go early you risk missing stops. If you arrive at a pick up location and there are 15
no specimens in the box, you should always KNOCK ON THE DOOR! It is your
responsibility to make 100% sure that no one is inside finishing up specimens or
running late.
G.C. Exh. 5.20
On August 12, 2016, Edge collected specimens from the Compassionate Women’s
Clinic in Nashville, Arkansas (located in southwest Arkansas). A PathGroup representative
called Velox on August 15 and said a specimen had been found in the parking lot at that
facility. Respondent’s manager in the Memphis, Carol Christ, sent Edge back to retrieve this 25
specimen.
On about August 15, Velox issued a “Route Driver Agreement” to its drivers, 4 G.C.
Exh. 11, which it required each driver to sign.5 That document states as follows:
30
Route Driver Agreement
1. Scheduled pickup times
a. Do not start your route early
b. Do not pickup from scheduled stops early
c. Always check both the lockbox and inside35
d. Do not leave a stop that always has specimens, call your dispatcher so
they can contact PathGroup.
e. Always take a picture of your LB ticket in the empty lockbox and log
the ticket number on your route sheet.
2. Frozen Specimens40

4 The complaint alleges that Respondent violated the Act by requiring drivers to sign the route driver
agreement, complaint paragraphs 8(d), (f) and 9. I see no evidence that supports this allegation. The
timing between Edge’s July 25 email and promulgation of route driver agreement is insufficient to
establish discriminatory motive. An equally plausible explanation is that the drivers route agreement
was promulgated in light of recent service failures on the part of the Velox drivers.
5 R. Exh. 24 is the same document. Larry Lee testified that he drafted this document and then sent it to
Kent Tidwell at PathGroup for review. According to Lee, Tidwell told him his draft was perfect.
Regardless, many of the specific requirements in this document emanate from Velox; not PathGroup.
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5
a. Frozen specimens MUST be completely covered in dry Ice Inside your
frozen cooler
b, Do not take the green pouch unless in a sealed pink sheet bag
3. Will Calls
a. You are to verbally call in your pick up on ALL will call orders.5
b. You are to NEVER leave a will call until the dispatcher releases you.
c. Will Call users will always have something to pickup
4. Shoulder Bag
a. You are required to use a shoulder bag on ALL pickups, no exception.
b. Specimens go straight from the lockbox to your shoulder bag.10
c. Always double check the area around the lockbox before returning to
your vehicle.
5. Route Sheet
a. Your route sheet should be neat and complete.
b. Double check your route sheet before entering the consolidation area.15
6. Consolidation
a. You are not to enter the consolidation area until asked to.
b. You are to double check that your totes, shoulder bag, coolers, and
vehicle are empty before departing the consolidation office. You will then
sign the Clear Tote log and have another Velox employee or IC sign as your 20
verifier.
7. Line Hall,
a. Line haul drivers are to get food, gas, etc. before departing with the
line haul.
b. Line haul drivers are to immediately contact their dispatcher if they 25
are delayed for any reason.
c. Line haul drivers are expected to drive straight to GRM with no stops
unless absolutely necessary.
d. You are to have someone at GRM acknowledge that your totes are empty
prior to departing30
8. Penalty
a. Drivers agree that they are subject to a $150.00 fine and or removal
from the route If it is determined that through your negligence or failure
to follow the standard operating procedure results in a service failure.
35
Acknowledgement
I have read and understand the above policy
Also on August 15, Respondent required Edge and other route drivers to participate
telephonically in a meeting/conference call with Velox’s Memphis Manager, Carol Christ.6 A 40
few days later, Christ demanded that Edge send her a copy of her driver’s license and social
security card so that Respondent could perform a background check. During that exchange,
Christ texted Edge that, “You should really drop the employee crap. Had you simply done as
asked yesterday [send Christ a picture of her SSN card and driver’s license] it should have been
done,” G.C. 13, pg. 00121.45
On Friday, August 19, Christ demanded that Edge sign Velox’s driver route agreement
that night, G.C. Exh. 13, page 00132. In a telephone call later that evening, Edge told Christ
that she had consulted with an attorney and would sign the agreement on Monday if her
attorney advised her to do so, Tr. 70-71, G.C. Exh. 14. Edge drove her route on Saturday 50

6 Respondent notes that not all drivers attended this meeting. However, G.C. Exh. 9 makes it clear that
attendance was mandatory. Respondent apparently did not enforce this requirement.
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6
August 20, and Sunday, August 21. On Sunday night, Christ texted Edge to inform her that
her contract with Velox had been terminated.7
Larry Lee, Respondent’s vice-president, testified that Kent Tidwell, a PathGroup
manager, called him on August 15, about the specimen found in the Compassionate Care 5
parking lot. According to Lee, Tidwell was very angry and told him that he did not want the
driver who was responsible to handle PathGroup specimens any more. PathGroup was Velox’s
only customer in the Little Rock area. Lee testified that he had a telephone conversation with
Edge on August 15, in which she denied leaving the specimen in the Compassionate Care
parking lot.8 She told him that the paperwork in the bag containing the specimen was not wet, 10
which it should have been had it been left outside over the weekend.
Lee testified further that he found Edge’s explanation not to be credible and that on
August 15, after the call, he directed Memphis manager Christ to terminate Edge’s contract.9
Lee did not explain why he found Edge’s explanation incredible. He did not investigate the 15
circumstances surrounding the specimen found on August 15 despite the fact some of these lent
some support to Edge’s claim, Tr. 363. Lee also did not explain why Christ waited 6 days to
terminate Edge’s contract after he had told her to do so, or why Christ allowed Edge to
continue to handle PathGroup samples for another 6 days.
20
Normally, if there was a discrepancy between the number of specimens left by the
Clinic and the number picked up the courier, it would be noticed immediately. Nobody
reported any such discrepancy with regard to the August 12 collection at the Compassionate
Care Clinic, G.C. Exh. 17, pp. 2-3. Blood specimens were drawn at Compassionate Care on
Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14; thus it is quite possible that the specimen found on 25
August 15, was not in Compassionate Care’s lock-box when Edge collected their samples on
August 12, Tr. 357-60.
Credibility Determinations
30
I do not find Lee’s testimony regarding the reasons he terminated Edge’s contract to be
credible. Thus, I conclude that Velox did not terminate Edge’s contract at the behest of
PathGroup. I find this explanation to be a pretextual reason for the termination of her
contract/discharge.
35

7 Christ, a manger still employed by Velox, did not testify, thus Edge’s account of this phone call is
uncontradicted and credited.
8 Obviously, this conversation occurred after Edge retrieved the specimen.
9 Other errors admitted to by Edge are irrelevant to this case. Respondent’s position is clearly that it
was forced to terminate her contract due demands by PathGroup’s Kent Tidwell arising out of the
August 12 incident. There is no evidence that Tidwell was aware of Edge’s prior mistakes when he
allegedly demanded she be barred from handling PathGroup samples. Lee testified that when he talked
to Tidwell and decided to bar the driver from handling PathGroup samples, he didn’t even know that
Edge was the driver responsible for the August 12 pick-up at Compassionate Care, Tr. 327.
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7
Curiously, Lee testified that he would have terminated Edge’s contract even if he found
her explanation of what happened on August 12 credible, Tr. 327. This, in of itself, is
compelling evidence that Respondent’s stated reason for terminating her is pretextual.
Moreover, there is no documentation supporting his claim that Tidwell demanded that 5
the driver who serviced Compassionate Care on August 12 not handle PathGroup samples
again. Tidwell advised his subordinates on August 15 that “this driver has been terminated,” R.
Exh. 28. However, there is nothing to suggest that this was done at his behest. Neither
Tidwell, nor any other representative of PathGroup testified in this proceeding.10 Nothing in
this record explains the circumstances surrounding Tidwell’s August 15 email, which is clearly 10
inaccurate, since Edge was not terminated until August 21, and there are many indications in
this record that Respondent had no intention of terminating her on August 15.
For one thing, Edge continued to handle PathGroup samples for almost a week after
Tidwell communicated with Lee. Secondly, the communication between Carol Christ, Velox’s 15
manager in Memphis, and Edge does not indicate any intention of terminating her contract
prior to August 20. On August 17-18, Christ demanded that Edge send her photos of her
license and social security card, a demand that makes no sense if Velox had already decided to
terminate Edge’s contract, G.C. Exh. 13. What is also significant in this exchange is the
animus demonstrated by Christ towards Edge’s assertions that Velox is treating her like an 20
employee rather than as an independent contractor.
On August 20, Christ demanded Edge sign a route driver agreement and return it
immediately. This is also a demand that makes no sense if Velox had already decided to
terminate Edge’s contract. Christ, who is still Velox’s manager in Memphis, did not testify in 25
this proceeding.
Edge consulted a private attorney about the route driver agreement and inadvertently
informed Christ of this fact on or about August 19. Shortly thereafter Larry Lee had a
conversation with Christ. On the evening of Sunday, August 21, Christ informed Edge that he 30
independent contract agreement was being terminated.
The record is also devoid of any explanation as to why Tidwell would demand that the
driver in the August 12 incident be barred from handling PathGroup samples and not make a
similar demand in many other incidents in which Velox employees failed to pick up or 35
mishandled PathGroup samples.
Lee testified that he often received complaints from Tidwell and Tidwell’s subordinate,
Mike Fuller, PathGroup’s Director of Market Operations, about service failures in the West
Tennessee/Little Rock Market, Tr. 292-93, 305-06, 308. Respondent did not terminate the 40
contract of any driver servicing PathGroup in that market other than Jeannie Edge, Tr. 11.

10 Lee also testified that Tidwell ordered him to look into how the sample was left on August 12, Tr.
322; this he did not do—other than talking to Edge and deciding that he did not believe her. Lee’s lack
of curiosity supports my inference of discriminatory motive in terminating Edge’s employment, K & M
Electronics, 283 NLRB 279 , 291 (1987).
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8
An example of misconduct by another driver is as follows: a Velox driver ruined 3
samples on or about June 28, 2016, requiring that the specimens be redrawn. PathGroup
demanded a $450 credit from Velox, but made no demands about the driver. Velox did nothing
with respect to this driver other than counseling, R. Exh. 25, Tr. 318. By way of contrast, the
specimen left at the Compassionate Women’s Care Clinic on August 12, was not ruined.5
Another example of misconduct by another driver(s) occurred just prior to a mandatory
meeting for Velox drivers on August 15. One or more Velox drivers in Tennessee failed to
collect specimens left in a lockbox, Tr. 54-55, 354. Velox took no action against that
driver(s).1110
A third example is that in early August, 3 Velox drivers mishandled PathGroup
specimens, G.C. Exh. 7. They were fined $150 for their errors, but there is no evidence that
PathGroup requested that they be barred from handling PathGroup specimens in the future, Tr.
377-78.15
Due to Lee’s lack of credibility on the reasons for Edge’s termination, I decline to credit
any of his testimony unless corroborated by documentary evidence or other reliable evidence of
record.12 In this regard, I note that much of his testimony on significant matters was elicited by
leading questions from Respondent’s counsel.20
Analysis
The Independent Contractor Issue
25
Sections 7 and 8 of the National Labor Relations Act accord rights and protections to
employees. Section 2(3) specifically excludes individuals having the status of independent
contractor from the definition of “employee.” A party seeking to exclude individuals
performing services for another from the protection of the Act, has the burden of proving
independent contractor status, BKN 333 NLRB 143, 144 (2001). The Board applies a multi-30
factor analysis in determining whether particular individuals are employees or independent
contractors. No single factor is controlling.
Very often the line between “employee” and “independent contractor” is a fine one.
However, in determining whether individuals fall on one side or another, one must keep in 35
mind the admonition of the United States Supreme Court that, “administrators and reviewing
courts must take care to assure that exemptions from NLRA coverage are not so expansively
interpreted as to deny protection to workers the Act was designed to reach and that the NLRA
and similar statutes are “to be narrowly construed against employers seeking to assert them,”
Holly Farms Corp. v. NLRB, 517 US 392, 399 (1996). Thus, where it is a “close call,” 40
agencies and courts should err on the side on finding employee status.

11 Respondent states at page 12 of its brief that the meeting on August 15 was “a direct result of Edge’s
mishandling a patient’s medical specimen.” This has not been established. In fact the record strongly
suggests that meeting was called due a number of service failures by several Velox employees.
12 I also do not take Edge’s testimony at face value—unless corroborated by other reliable evidence-or
uncontradicted by Respondent.
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9
The Board has addressed the “independent contractor” vs. “employee” in a number of
cases, such as the recent decision in Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc.,
365 NLRB No. 107 (July 11, 2017). In that case, the Board discussed its leading cases on this
issue, including Fed Ex Home Delivery, 361 NLRB No. 55 (2014) enf. denied 849 F. 3d 113 5
(D.C. Cir. 2017); Big East Conference, 282 NLRB 335 (1986) enfd. 836 F. 3d 143 (3d Cir.
1987); Sisters Camelot, 363 NLRB No. 13 (2015) and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts,
343 NLRB 846, 847 (2004). Since each case is very fact intensive, it is best to analyze each
factor with regard to the record in this case:
10
1) Extent of control by the employer
Several provisions of the drivers’ independent contractor agreement are more consistent with
employee status than independent contractor status. These include the drivers agreeing to submit to
routine and random drug tests and the non-solicitation (in fact non-compete) provisions of the 15
agreement, G.C. 2, paragraph 11, pp. 5-6. This contrasts with the situation in Saleem v Corporate
Transportation Group, 854 F. 3d 131 (2d Cir. 2017) in which drivers could and did compete with the
business they claimed was their employer.
Velox mandates the places at which the drivers collect specimens and the times at 20
which the specimens must be collected. Drivers must not pick up samples earlier than the
pick-up time required by Velox. They are also under a less precise requirement that specimens
not be picked up too late because the drivers must return the specimens on time to Little Rock
for consolidation and transport to Memphis. From Memphis, Velox drivers then take the
samples to PathGroup’s laboratory in Nashville.25
Edge was not free to work when she wanted. Whenever she wanted a day off from
work she had to ask permission from Carol Christ. As mentioned previously, this was a change
from the practices of Edge’s previous employer, Lab Express.
30
Respondent’s route driver agreement, set forth in detail above, shows that Velox sought
to exercise a great deal of control of its drivers/couriers. The record also establishes that Carol
Christ ordered Edge to return to Nashville, Arkansas to retrieve a specimen not picked up on
August 12.
35
The drivers’ contracts with Velox provided that drivers would be liable for any expense
that Velox would have to bear due to their errors. PathGroup, at least on some occasions,
required Velox to credit it for the damage to specimens by Velox drivers, Exh. R-25.
Drivers were required to wear a Velox shirt, khaki pants and closed-toed shoes, G.C. 40
Exh. 12, Tr. 229-30. They were also required to have an Android phone.
Respondent argues that the extent of its control cannot be considered in a finding that
the drivers were employees, because Velox was merely passing along PathGroup’s or HIPPA’s
requirements. This may be true for some of the rules it imposed on drivers, but not for many 45
others. The uniform requirement and many of the items in the route driver agreement emanate
from Velox; not PathGroup or HIPPA, G.C. Exh. 12.
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10
There is no evidence that PathGroup required couriers to wear Velox uniforms for
example. PathGroup only required that couriers dress professionally, Resp. Exh. 9, pg. 4, para.
g. There is no evidence that PathGroup required Velox to subject its couriers to random drug
tests. Many of the mandates in the route driver agreement were initiated by Velox VP Larry 5
Lee, not PathGroup. This can be ascertained by comparing the route driver agreement, G.C.
Exh. 11 with the Service Agreement between PathGroup and Velox, Exh. R. 9 and PathGroup’s
SOP for new and sensitive clients, Exh. R. 12.
Nowhere did PathGroup mandate a $150 fine for service failures. Its contract with 10
Velox provides that Velox will indemnify PathGroup for actual losses. However, Velox’s fine
could be levied in a situation in which there was no loss to PathGroup, such as a missed
specimen pick-up that does not result in the specimen having to be redrawn.
I conclude this factor, establishing that Velox exercised a great deal of control over the 15
way its driver/couriers performed their jobs, weighs heavily in favor of employee status.
2) Whether the individual is engaged in a distinct occupation or business
Collecting medical samples is Respondent’s business. Although Edge is free to work 20
for other entities, she was not free do to so during the times she was supposed to cover her
route. Edge’s freedom to work for others is indistinguishable from the ability of any employee
to work a second job.
Edge and other drivers are not in the courier business except insofar as they work for 25
Velox. They are generally required to wear a shirt with a Velox logo and present themselves
to the public as representatives of Velox rather than their alleged independent contractor
business.
This factor favors employee status.30
3) Whether the work is usually done under the direction of the employer or by a
specialist without supervision
Velox drivers work independently in completing their routes without one-on-one 35
supervision. However, the drivers are not free to perform the job in any way they see fit.
Velox cared very much how the drivers did their job as opposed to simply requiring that it be
completed in a satisfactory manner. It required the job to be performed with a shoulder bag,
mandated how the specimens were handled and when they were to be picked up.
40
Given the control exercised by Velox as to how the drivers’ job was performed, this
factor weighs in favor of employee status.
45
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4) Skill required in the occupation
Velox drivers are not highly skilled. I credit the testimony of Jill Cross that the job
requires minimal training.13 Other evidence in the record also supports this conclusion. For
example, Brett Woods testified that when Velox took over the contract in Arkansas and West 5
Tennessee, Velox provided only an hour and a half training for him and another driver, who
unlike Woods, had no prior experience as a medical courier.
A driver must know which specimens must be frozen, which must be refrigerated and
which can be kept at room temperature. A driver must also be familiar with a few 10
uncomplicated procedures, such as using a shoulder bag when gathering samples, so that none
are dropped. A driver must also be somewhat familiar with the requirements of HIPPA14
regarding patient confidentiality and the security of medical information.
This factor favors employee status. Every person working for another person, whether 15
an employee or independent contractor, needs to have some knowledge as to how the job is to
be performed. Virtually no new employee is turned loose to perform a job for which they were
just hired without some training. The level of knowledge required to be a Velox driver/courier
does not rise to the level of a skill.
20
5) Whether the employer or individual supplies the instrumentalities, tools, and place
of work.
Velox drivers use their own vehicles to perform their tasks. They are free to use their
vehicles for purposes other than Velox’s business. The drivers pay for their fuel, insurance and 25
upkeep of their vehicles. Velox provides Velox shirts, shoulder bags, Rubbermaid tubs, ticket
books and a route; little else. Drivers are not required to use the equipment provided by Velox
except the shirt (assuming they have been provided one).
This factor, in isolation, favors independent contractor status.30
6) Length of time for which the individual is employed
While the term of a driver’s independent contractor agreement is for one year, either
party may terminate the contract for any reason with one day’s notice, G.C. Exh. 2. This is 35
much more akin to an employment-at-will relationship than a contractual relationship in which
one is hired to do a discrete task. In some more typical independent contractor situations, the
relationship between the contractor and client ends when the discrete task is performed.

13 At page 24 of its brief, Respondent discusses Edge’s experience prior to her employment with Velox;
Cross and other drivers had no such experience.
14 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Every employee in health care related
industries is subject to HIPPA. Given the consequences of a violation of that statute, it would be
surprising if any such employee did not receive some training in its requirements.
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12
Nevertheless, long-term independent contractor relationships have become more
common in today’s “gig economy.” Some of these would not pass scrutiny if the Supreme
Court’s admonition in Holly Farms Corp. v. NLRB were adhered to.
This factor favors employee status.5
7) Method of payment
The fact that the drivers are paid by the job, rather than by time usually favors
independent contractor status. However, on close examination, Velox drivers’ situation is more 10
similar to an employee paid by the hour than an individual contractor paid to do a discrete job
regardless of the time it takes. Drivers do not invoice Velox for time and materials; instead
they are paid a fixed rate determined by Velox for their route. That rate is calculated according
to the mileage and number of stops on the route.
15
The drivers must do their route every day, unless they call off to Respondent.15 The
time frame in which their job is to be performed is set by the pickup times at each stop on their
route (they may not pick up early) and the need to have their collection samples ready for
transport to Memphis in a timely fashion. In reality, the drivers’ compensation is for the time
spent picking up the samples, as well as completing a job.20
Moreover, Respondent maintains total control over the drivers’ compensation. It offers
drivers a route with a set figure for payment. The driver has no ability to alter his or her
compensation; they cannot collect samples from other routes and as a practical matter they
cannot work for anyone else during the hours they perform their tasks for Velox.25
Velox contends that drivers are able to negotiate their compensation, citing the example
of David Chastain, R. Exh. 11, who asked for an increase in compensation when stops were
added to his route. However, as a matter of policy, Respondent increased drivers’
compensation when stops were added and decreased their compensation when stops were 30
subtracted from a route, G.C. Exh. 3. Thus, it appears that Respondent merely increased
Chastain’s compensation in conformance with its general compensation policy.
Despite the fact that Velox drivers are nominally paid for by the job, the reality of their
situation favors employee status.35

15 At page 29 of its brief, Respondent states that drivers are free to take off for work whenever they
wish. I credit Edge’s testimony at Tr. 44 that drivers had to ask Christ for permission to take a day off.
Moreover, Christ’s email of July 24, G.C. Exh. 3 (also R. Exh. 29) states that “requesting days off or
calling out of work should go through me.”
JD−76−17
13
8) Whether the work is part of the regular business of the employer
This factor morphs into the same analysis as factor # 2. Collecting medical specimens 5
is Respondent’s business. The drivers do not perform any tasks for Velox that are not part of
Velox’s core mission.
This factor weighs heavily in favoring employee status.
10
9) Whether the parties believe they are creating an independent contractor relationship
Both Velox and Jeannie Edge believed they were creating an independent contractor
relationship when Edge began her tenure with Velox. However, Driver Jill Cross believed that
in fact she was an employee of Velox, Tr. 219.15
Velox provided Edge with a 1099, rather than a W-2 form. Respondent did not
withhold her income tax or have a workers compensation policy that covered her or other
drivers. Couriers were not insured in any respect by Velox.
20
While Respondent believed it had an independent contractor relationship with its
drivers, Edge came to believe this was no longer the case as Respondent increased its control
over her. Moreover, Edge’ subjective belief as to whether she was an employee or independent
contractor is far less important than the economic realities of her relationship to Velox. A non-
attorney is not in a particularly good position to understand the difference between being an 25
employee and an independent contractor.
In light of the above, I find this factor weighs in neither direction.
10) Whether the principal is or is not in the business30
Velox is in the business of collecting medical specimens. That is the business of the
drivers. This factor favors employee status.
11) Whether the evidence shows the individual is rendering services as part of an 35
independent business. I interpret this to be the same inquiry as to whether the individual has a
significant entrepreneurial opportunity for gain or loss, Corporate Express Delivery Systems v.
NLRB, 292 F. 3d 777, 780 (D.C. Cir. 2002). The record herein establishes that the drivers had
no real opportunity to increase their “profit.” Respondent offered Edge one route at a
compensation rate Velox determined on the basis of mileage. Velox told her that was the only 40
courier route available. Thus, she did not have any ability to increase the amount she received
for driving for Velox. Furthermore, pursuant to the contract between Velox and PathGroup,
Edge could not collect samples for PathGroup outside of her relationship with Velox, Resp.
Exh. 9.16

16 Analysis of a courier service would be much different if a driver was allowed to own multiple routes
and lease them out for a profit. They may have been the arrangement between Lab Express and its
JD−76−17
14
Velox argues that drivers could increase their profit by shopping for example, for
cheaper gas. That opportunity is indistinguishable from an employee’s opportunity to make
their wages go further by searching for the best price on gas and other commodities.17 In
Standard Oil Co., 230 NLRB 967, 971 (1977), the Board noted that such costs are more or less 5
standardized and provide no significant opportunity for drivers to influence their net
compensation.
Considering all the above factors, I conclude that Jeannie Edge was an employee of
Velox.10
Complaint paragraph 5 (misclassification as a separate Section 8(a)(1) violation)
The General Counsel alleges that Respondent violated the Act in misclassifying its
drivers/couriers, apart from whether or not it violated the Act in discharging Jeannie Edge. 15
This record establishes that all Respondent’s courier/drivers who pick up specimens for
PathGroup out of the Memphis office, have working conditions virtually identical to those of
Edge—as evidenced by Velox’s requirement that they sign the route driver agreement. I find
that other Velox drivers collecting PathGroup specimens out of Velox’s Memphis office are
employees.20
By misclassifying its drivers, Velox restrained and interfered with their ability to
engage in protected activity by effectively telling them that they are not protected by Section 7
and thus could be disciplined or discharged for trying to form, join or assist a union or act
together with other employees for their benefit and protection.25
The Independent Section 8(a)(1) allegations
The General Counsel alleges that Respondent violated and is violating Section 8(a)(1)
by maintaining the following Non-Disparagement Provision in its Independent Contractor 30
Agreements, G.C. Exh. 2, pg. 6.
During the Term and following the termination of this Agreement, regardless of the
reason for such termination, Independent Contractors shall not do or say anything that a
reasonable person would construe as detrimental or disparaging to the goodwill and35
good reputation of the Company, including making negative statements about the
Company’s method of doing business, the effectiveness of its business policies and
practices or the quality of any of the Company’s services or personnel.

drivers. The maintenance of control by Velox over who drove its routes, which limited the ability of its
drivers to “profit” from the work of other drivers is important to my finding that Velox drivers are
employees.
17 In Standard Oil Co., 230 NLRB 967, 968 (1977), the Board expressed the relevant factors somewhat
differently than in some recent cases. Regarding factors mentioned in that case, I would note that the
drivers perform their tasks in the name of Velox; not their allegedly independent businesses and that the
drivers’ working arrangement with Velox appears to be permanent, so long as performance is
satisfactory.
JD−76−17
15
The General also alleges that Respondent promulgated a violative rule when Carol
Christ sent an email to the driver/couriers on July 24, 2016, G.C. Exh. 3.
The email in pertinent part states:5
Some of you were hired by John Willis, some were hired by me.
If you work at the Memphis office, Little Rock AR, Jackson TN or Jackson MS, you are
part of the Memphis branch and should report directly to me.10
Not John Willis and not Jim Gibson.
Any pay issues, complaints, concerns, requesting days off or calling out of work should
go through me.
No one else.15
The Board has held that an employer violates Section 8(a)(1) when it maintains a work
rule that reasonably tends to chill employees in the exercise of their Section 7 rights, Lafayette
Park Hotel, 326 NLRB 824, 825 (1998). As stated above, a rule is unlawful if it explicitly
restricts activities protected by Section 7. If this is not true a violation is established by a 20
showing that 1) employees would reasonably construe the language to prohibit Section 7
activity; and/or 2) that the rule was promulgated in response to protected activity and/or 3) that
the rule has been applied to restrict the exercise of Section 7 rights, Lutheran Heritage Village-
Livonia, 343 NLRB 646, 647 (2004).
25
In Lutheran Heritage the Board retreated somewhat from its prior decisions in
light of the decision of United States Court of Appeals for District of Columbia in
University Medical Center v. NLRB, 335 F. 3d 1079 (D.C. Cir. 2003). In that case the
Court declined to enforce the Board’s decision at 335 NLRB 1318 (2001) regarding a
rule prohibiting “disrespectful conduct.” In Lutheran Heritage, the Board stated that it 30
would not conclude that a reasonable employee would read a rule to apply to Section 7
activity simply because the rule could be so interpreted.
As to Christ’s email, I find that it would not reasonably be read to prohibit employees
from discussing wages, hours and working conditions with each other and seeking help on
these issues from third parties (such as a union). On the contrary I find the email is more fairly 35
read as requiring drivers to cease contacting other managers such as Willis and Gibson
(Respondent’s President) about pay and other issues pertaining to the drivers’ working
conditions and to contact Christ instead. I infer that Christ sent the email because employees
were going to Willis and Gibson with their concerns, instead of her. Therefore, I dismiss
complaint paragraph 7(a).40
On the other hand, I find that the Non-Disparagement provision in the independent
contractor agreement violates Section 8(a)(1). First of all, that provision applies to employees
protected by Section 7 of the Act. By prohibiting negative statements about the Company’s
method of doing business, the effectiveness of its business policies and practices or the quality 45
of any of the Company’s services or personnel this provision purports to deny employees
JD−76−17
16
protected rights. For example, negative statements about Velox’s business policies and
practices would reasonably be read to include employee statements relating to company
policies concerning wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment, Claremont
Resort & Spa, 344 NLRB 832 (2005). Employees not only have Section 7 rights to make
negative statements about such matters to other employees, they may also appeal to third 5
parties, such as the press, the public or a labor organization, in order to get such policies
changed, Kitty Clover, Inc., 103 NLRB 1665, 1687-88 (1953); Arlington Electric, 332 NLRB
845, 846 (2000); Emarco, Inc., 284 NLRB 832, 833 (1987).
Respondent violated Section 8(a)(1) in discharging Jeannie Edge10
Having found that Jeannie Edge was Respondent’s employee, I turn to the question of
whether her employment was terminated in violation of the Act.
Section 8(a)(1) provides that it is an unfair labor practice to interfere with, restrain or 15
coerce employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in Section 7. Discharging an
employee because they engaged in activity protected by Section 7 is a violation of Section
8(a)(1).
Section 7 provides that, "employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, 20
join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own
choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining
or other mutual aid or protection ... (Emphasis added)"
In Myers Industries (Myers 1), 268 NLRB 493 (1984), and in Myers Industries (Myers 25
11) 281 NLRB 882 (1986), the Board held that "concerted activities" protected by Section 7 are
those "engaged in with or on the authority of other employees, and not solely by and on behalf
of the employee himself." However, the activities of a single employee in enlisting the support
of fellow employees in mutual aid and protection is as much concerted activity as is ordinary
group activity. 30
Jeannie Edge clearly engaged in protected activity in complaining to management that
she was being treated as an employee rather than as an independent contractor. She also
discussed this with other employees. The record also establishes that Carol Christ and Larry
Lee knew that the classification of employees was an issue for employees other than Edge, Tr. 35
53-54, 235-36, G.C. Exh. 4 (reverse side).18 Thus, they were aware that her protected activity
was concerted.
In order to prove a violation of Section 8(a)(3) and/or (1), the General Counsel must
show that union activity or other protected activity has been a substantial factor in the 40
employer’s adverse personnel decision. To establish discriminatory motivation, the General
Counsel must show union or protected concerted activity, employer knowledge of that activity,
animus or hostility towards that activity and an adverse personnel action caused by such animus
or hostility. Inferences of knowledge, animus and discriminatory motivation may be drawn

18 Lee admitted to seeing G.C. Exh. 4, which establishes that he knew that the employee/independent
question was an important issue to drivers other than Edge.
JD−76−17
17
from circumstantial evidence as well from direct evidence.19 Once the General Counsel has
made an initial showing of discrimination, the burden of persuasion shifts to the employer to
prove its affirmative defense that it would have taken the same action even if the employee had
not engaged in protected activity. Wright Line, 251 NLRB 1083 (1980), enfd. 662 F.2d 899 (lst
Cir. 1981). 5
The record establishes that Respondent was aware of Edge’s protected activity (i.e., her
agitation over the employee/independent contractor issue); that it bore animus towards that
activity (E.g. G.C. 13, pg. 00121 in which Christ texts “You should really drop the employee
crap. Had you simply done as asked yesterday [send Christ a picture of her SSN card and 10
driver’s license] it should have been done.”). The timing of Edge’s discharge, 3 days later, is
sufficient to meet the General Counsel’s initial burden of establishing a nexus between her
protected activity and discharge.20 Additionally, the timing between Respondent’s knowledge
that Edge was consulting an attorney over the route driver agreement and her termination is
sufficient to satisfy the General Counsel’s burden in establishing a relationship between her 15
protected activity and her discharge.
Respondent’s affirmative defense that it decided to terminate Edge on August 15 for
her alleged misconduct in failing to pick up the Compassionate Women’s Care Clinic specimen
on August 12, is not credible. Moreover, I find, as stated previously, that is it a pretextual 20
reason upon which I also rely in concluding that Velox fired Edge in retaliation for her
protected concerted agitation on the employee/independent contractor issue, Reeves v.
Sanderson Plumbing Products, 530 U.S. 133 (2000); Shattuck Denn Mining Corp. v. NLRB,
362 F. 2d 466, 470 (9th Cir. 1966); Fast Food Merchandisers, 291 NLRB 897, 898 (1988);
Flour Daniel, Inc., 304 NLRB 970, 971 (1991); Norton Audubon Hospital, 341 NLRB 143, 25
150-151 (2004). Finally, Respondent’s failure to adequately investigate the circumstances of
the “dropped specimen” at the Women’s Care Clinic supports the inference of discriminatory
motive.
Conclusions of Law30
Respondent, Velox Express violated Section 8(a)(1) of the Act by:
1. Discharging employee Jeannie Edge on August 21, 2016.
2. Maintaining a Non-Disparagement Policy that would reasonably be read to prohibit 35
employees from disparaging Velox and its officials insofar as employees’ negative statements
may relate to wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.
3. Classifying Jeannie Edge and other driver/couriers servicing PathGroup as
independent contractors, rather than as employees.
40

19 Flowers Baking Company, Inc., 240 NLRB 870, 871 (1979); Washington Nursing Home, Inc., 321
NLRB 366, 375 (1966); W. F. Bolin Co. v. NLRB, 70 F. 3d 863 (6th Cir. 1995).
20 I recognize that some cases hold that this is not part of the General Counsel’s initial burden, e.g.,
Neises Construction Co., 365 NLRB No. 129 n.6 (September 11, 2017). However, assuming that it is,
the General Counsel satisfied it.
JD−76−17
18
REMEDY
The Respondent, having discriminatorily discharged Jeannie Edge, must offer her
reinstatement and make her whole for any loss of earnings and other benefits. Backpay shall be
computed in accordance with F. W. Woolworth Co., 90 NLRB 289 (1950), with interest at the 5
rate prescribed in New Horizons, 283 NLRB 1173 (1987), compounded daily as prescribed in
Kentucky River Medical Center, 356 NLRB No.8 (2010). Respondent shall compensate her for
her search-for-work and interim employment expenses regardless of whether those expenses
exceed her interim earnings.
10
Respondent shall reimburse the discriminatee in amounts equal to the difference in
taxes owed upon receipt of a lump-sum backpay award and taxes that would have been owed
had there been no discrimination. Respondent shall also take whatever steps are necessary to
insure that the Social Security Administration credits the discriminatee’s backpay to the proper
quarters on her Social Security earnings record.15
On these findings of fact and conclusions of law and on the entire record, I issue the
following recommended21
ORDER20
Respondent, Velox Express, Inc. its officers, agents, successors, and assigns, shall
1. Cease and desist from
25
(a) Discharging or otherwise discriminating against any of its employees for
engaging in and/or planning to engage in protected concerted activities, such as
challenging Respondent’s assertion that they are independent contractors.
(b) Maintaining a Non-Disparagement rule or policy which prohibits
employees from making negative statements about the company insofar as they 30
would be reasonably construed to include a prohibition of negative statements
pertaining to wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.
(c) Classifying route drivers who are employees as independent contractors.
35
(d) In any like or related manner interfering with, restraining, or coercing its
employees in the exercise of their rights under Section 7 of the Act.
40

21 If no exceptions are filed as provided by Sec. 102.46 of the Board's Rules and Regulations, the
findings, conclusions, and recommended Order shall, as provided in Sec. 102.48 of the Rules, be
adopted by the Board and all objections to them shall be deemed waived for all purposes.
JD−76−17
19
2. Take the following affirmative action necessary to effectuate the policies of the Act.
(a) Within 14 days from the date of the Board’s Order, offer Jeannie Edge full
reinstatement to her former job or, if that job no longer exists, to a substantially equivalent
position, without prejudice to her seniority or any other rights or privileges previously enjoyed.5
(b) Make Jeannie Edge whole for any loss of earnings and other benefits
suffered as a result of the discrimination against her, in the manner set forth in the remedy
section of this decision. Respondent shall compensate her for her search-for-work and interim
employment expenses regardless of whether those expenses exceed her interim earnings, as set 10
forth in the remedy section.
(c) Compensate Jeannie Edge for the adverse tax consequences due to receiving
a lump-sum backpay award, and file a report with the Social Security Administration allocating
the backpay award to the appropriate calendar quarters. 15
(d) Revise or Rescind its Non-Disparagement policy.
(e) Take whatever steps are necessary to reclassify the courier-drivers servicing
the PathGroup account out of Velox’s Memphis office as employees and to treat them as 20
employees rather than as independent contractors.
(f) Within 14 days from the date of the Board's Order, remove from its files any
reference to the unlawful discharge and within 3 days thereafter notify Jeannie Edge in writing
that this has been done and that the discharge will not be used against her in any way. 25
(g) Preserve and, within 14 days of a request, or such additional time as the
Regional Director may allow for good cause shown, provide at a reasonable place designated
by the Board or its agents, all payroll records, social security payment records, timecards,
personnel records and reports, and all other records, including an electronic copy of such 30
records if stored in electronic form, necessary to analyze the amount of backpay due under the
terms of this Order.
(h) Within 14 days after service by the Region, post at its offices in Little Rock,
Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee copies of the attached notice marked "Appendix".22 Copies 35
of the notice, on forms provided by the Regional Director for Region 15, after being signed by
the Respondent's authorized representative, shall be posted by the Respondent and maintained
for 60 consecutive days in conspicuous places including all places where notices to employees
are customarily posted. In addition to physical posting of paper notices, the notices shall be
distributed electronically, such as by email, posting on an intranet or an internet site, and/or 40
other electronic means, if the Respondent customarily communicates with its employees by

22 If this Order is enforced by a judgment of a United States court of appeals, the words in the notice
reading "Posted by Order of the National Labor Relations Board" shall read "Posted Pursuant to a
Judgment of the United States Court of Appeals Enforcing an Order of the National Labor Relations
Board."
JD−76−17
20
such means. Reasonable steps shall be taken by the Respondent to ensure that the notices are
not altered, defaced, or covered by any other material. In the event that, during the pendency of
these proceedings, the Respondent has gone out of business or closed the facility involved in
these proceedings, the Respondent shall duplicate and mail, at its own expense, a copy of the
notice to all current employees and former employees employed by the Respondent at any time 5
since June 22, 2016.
(i) Within 21 days after service by the Region, file with the Regional Director a
sworn certification of a responsible official on a form provided by the Region attesting to the
steps that the Respondent has taken to comply. 10
Dated, Washington, D.C. September 25, 2017
15
Arthur J. Amchan
Administrative Law Judge
c,/,t7. 8 avy,_
JD−76−17
APPENDIX
NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES
Posted by Order of the
National Labor Relations Board
An Agency of the United States Government
The National Labor Relations Board has found that we violated Federal labor law and has
ordered us to post and obey this notice.
FEDERAL LAW GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO
Form, join, or assist a union
Choose representatives to bargain with us on your behalf
Act together with other employees for your benefit and protection
Choose not to engage in any of these protected activities.
WE WILL NOT discharge or otherwise discriminate against any of you for engaging in or
planning to engage in protected concerted activity, such as challenging your classification as an
independent contractor.
WE WILL NOT maintain a policy that prohibits you from disparaging this company or its
officials insofar as it relates to wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.
WE WILL NOT continue to classify drivers who are employees as independent contractors.
WE WILL NOT in any like or related manner interfere with, restrain, or coerce you in the
exercise of the rights guaranteed you by Section 7 of the Act.
WE WILL, within 14 days from the date of this Order, offer Jeannie Edge full reinstatement to
her former job or, if that job no longer exists, to a substantially equivalent position, without
prejudice to her seniority or any other rights or privileges previously enjoyed.
WE WILL make Jeannie Edge whole for any loss of earnings and other benefits resulting from
her discharge, less any net interim earnings, plus interest compounded daily.
WE WILL compensate Jeannie Edge for her search-for-work and interim employment expenses
regardless of whether those expenses exceed her interim earnings.
WE WILL compensate Jeannie Edge for the adverse tax consequences due to receiving a lump-
sum backpay award, and WE WILL file a report with the Social Security Administration
allocating the backpay award to the appropriate calendar quarters.
WE WILL, within 14 days from the date of this Order, remove from our files any reference to
the unlawful discharge of Jeannie Edge, and WE WILL, within 3 days thereafter, notify her in
writing that this has been done and that the discharge will not be used against her in any way.
JD−76−17
VELOX EXPRESS, INC.
(Employer)
Dated By
(Representative) (Title)
The National Labor Relations Board is an independent Federal agency created in 1935 to enforce the National Labor
Relations Act. It conducts secret-ballot elections to determine whether employees want union representation and it
investigates and remedies unfair labor practices by employers and unions. To find out more about your rights under
the Act and how to file a charge or election petition, you may speak confidentially to any agent with the Board’s
Regional Office set forth below. You may also obtain information from the Board’s website: www.nlrb.gov.
600 South Maestri Place, 7th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70130-3408
(504) 589-6361, Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Administrative Law Judge’s decision can be found at www.nlrb.gov/case/15-CA-184006 or by using the QR code
below. Alternatively, you can obtain a copy of the decision from the Executive Secretary, National Labor Relations
Board, 1015 Half Street, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20570, or by calling (202) 273-1940.
THIS IS AN OFFICIAL NOTICE AND MUST NOT BE DEFACED BY ANYONE
THIS NOTICE MUST REMAIN POSTED FOR 60 CONSECUTIVE DAYS FROM THE DATE OF POSTING AND MUST NOT BE
ALTERED, DEFACED, OR COVERED BY ANY OTHER MATERIAL. ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS NOTICE OR
COMPLIANCE WITH ITS PROVISIONS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE ABOVE REGIONAL OFFICE’S
COMPLIANCE OFFICER, (504) 589-6389.