Her organization, which represents large employers, recently opened a campaign to encourage overweight workers to slim down.

Two members represent employers, two represent employees, and one represents the public.

"Age discrimination is still the white males preserve," said a Washington lawyer who represents employers, speaking on condition of anonymity.

No organization can represent both laborers and corporate employers.

The insurance industry, groups representing both large and small employers, and managed care organizations all make the same argument.

Lawyers representing employers agreed about the decision's significance, but with considerably less enthusiasm.

And he said he had spent much of his time while representing employers telling them to pay attention to their workers' health problems.

But lawyers, especially those who represent employers, tend to hear the word "simplicity" and go for their guns.

Peter Panken, a lawyer who represents employers, said the dismissal would have little impact on workplace relations.

From 1902, he represented employers before the new Industrial Arbitration Court.