You are a journalist who works in a large city that has many large and world-renowned hospitals. You live near 2 medical supplies stores: Mary's Company A and Jordan's Company B. For years, Mary and Jordan, the owners of these stores, have been at odds because they are the 2 biggest competitors for medical supplies in the area.
You have recently learned from a trusted source that Mary and Jordan have become friends and are discussing ways in which they can dominate the medical supplies market in your city. According to your source, Mary and Jordan have agreed upon prices that they will use for their products by setting a minimum and maximum price for each product, and they have also set aside regions in the area that they each will have control over without interference from the other person. However, a problem has come up.
Employees of both companies are alleging employment discrimination. Employees have stated that both Mary and Jordan have frequently violated the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination Act , the Age Discrimination Act of 1967, the Equal Pay Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991. Specifically employees have asserted that both companies do not pay men and women equally, are very reluctant to give maternity leave and family leave, are reluctant to hire anyone over the age of 60, and do not provide facilities that accommodate disabled workers. Mary and Jordan are very distressed about all of this and are especially concerned on how these allegations will affect their financial balance sheet. They are also worried about the impact all of these problems will have on their relationships with their hospital clients.
In a paper of 8 to 10 pages, bring to light Mary and Jordan's activities, make recommendations on how they can resolve these difficulties, and include the following information:
Do the actions of Mary and Jordan violate antitrust laws? If so, how?
Discuss the Sherman Antitrust Act and the types of actions prohibited by competitors under this law.
Find 1 supporting case in the media in which antitrust laws were said to be violated, and discuss the actions of the parties and whether you believe the court ruled correctly in the case.
Review all of the laws that they have violated and make recommendations for solutions.
Discuss all of the implications that these problems have for their client/hospital relations and their financial viability.