The motion of defendants The McClatchy Company and McClatchy Newspapers, Inc. d/b/a The Sacramento Bee ("Defendants") for: (1) a ruling on burden of proof in first phase trial; (2) order directing Plaintiffs Lorianne Sawin, et al ("Plaintiffs") to prepare and present a detailed trial plan; and (3) setting a case management conference, is granted in part and denied in part as set forth below. Defendants' single motion requests several orders with the stated intention of focusing and guiding this matter as it rapidly proceeds to the first phase trial currently set to commence on February 3, 2014. These three motions are discussed separately below.

Burden of Proof – Independent Contractor/Employee

Defendants request the Court "to issue an order confirming Plaintiffs' burden of proof..." in the first phase trial on independent contractor/employee status. (Def MPA p.10:6-8.)

Defendants contend that plaintiffs have previously taken inconsistent positions on this issue depending upon the c