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A major California wage and hour lawsuit against solar company First Solar and staffing service TrueBlue has reached a settlement agreement. The lawsuit alleges significant California wage and hour violations, including failure to pay minimum wage, failure to pay overtime compensation, and failure to provide mandated breaks.
According to the lawsuit, these companies failed to pay class members two hours’ worth of wages for a required orientation session. Furthermore, the companies also allegedly required class members to arrive 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start of their shift, but without pay.
The settlement agreement would not imply any liability in the matter, but would bring an end to these claims.
The proposed settlement has now been granted preliminary approval, and includes not just financial awards for the class members, but also requirements for the TrueBlue staffing company moving forward. The settlement agreement would require that TrueBlue’s subsidiary PeopleReady (formerly CLP Resources Inc.) must update its practices to inform workers of their rights, as well as inform customers of their obligations to comply with California wage and hour laws. The company must also train its managers regarding meal and rest breaks and overtime law in California.
The lawsuit was first filed in April 2012, and the class action—which includes three subclasses—is now composed of about 13,700 class members. Under the terms of the proposed settlement, $1.6 million is set aside for attorney fees, $158,000 for litigation expenses, up to $5,000 per class representative, and the rest divided among the workers, with a minimum average recovery of $701. Class members include California workers for PeopleReady and TrueBlue who were nonexempt field employees sometime between Nov. 21, 2009, and June 30, 2016.
The proposed deal would also require a $950,000 payment from First Solar, the largest manufacturer of solar panels in the Western Hemisphere.
Judge George H. Wu approved the proposed settlement, noting that this would bring an end to “years of vigorous litigation.”
Filing a California Wage and Hour Lawsuit
If you work in California and believe that your labor rights were violated—for instance, you were denied overtime, minimum wages, or mandated breaks—you may be able to file a wage and hour lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit can help you recover the compensation you’re owed, as well as hold the company responsible accountable for its actions.
Pursuing litigation can be a daunting prospect, especially if you’re worried about potential retaliation from your employer. Fortunately, there are anti-retaliation laws in place to protect workers in this scenario. Plus, Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.
The California Wage and Hour Lawsuit is Case No. 2:12-cv-08080, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Join a Free California Wage & Hour Class Action Lawsuit Investigation
If you were forced to work off the clock or without overtime pay within the past 3 years in California, you have rights – and you don’t have to take on the company alone.
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