Employees working garbage man jobs at a number of waste management companies have filed class action lawsuits over alleged wage and hour violations. These plaintiffs claim that they were either not paid overtime at all, or that overtime pay was not properly calculated.

The workers further allege that these violations of federal and state labor laws are affecting not only those in garbage man jobs, but other employees as well. Alleged violations include pay deductions for breaks that were never taken, miscalculation of regular hours as well as paid overtime, sick pay issues, and being required to work off the clock.

About the Lawsuits

A recent class action lawsuit filed in September 2018 names two waste management companies operating in Florida and Mississippi. Plaintiffs Alfred T., Edward A. amd Dodd B. claim that defendants Waste Pro and Delta Sanitation violated the federal Fair Labor Standards Act by failing to pay overtime compensation as required by law for hours worked in excess of 40 hours over the course of a five-day workweek. The class action covers all who worked garbage man jobs between Sept. 25, 2014 and the time that the court reaches a verdict.

What Defines “Garbage Man Jobs”?

While the term “garbage man jobs” usually refers to the people who actually go out and pick up cans of residential and business refuse, class action wage and hour lawsuits expand that definition. Under the law, these jobs can also include those who drive the trucks, “helpers,” vehicle maintenance crew and clerical and record-keeping workers as well.

The current complaint against Waste Pro and Delta claims that there are “thousands of similarly situated current and former employees” who may not have been paid overtime by waste disposal companies operating in violation of the FLSA.

Other Alleged Violations

The defendants in the Florida lawsuit are not the only waste disposal companies being accused of wage and hour violations. In Texas, a class action was filed by a driver who claimed that money was deducted from his paycheck for meal breaks, although he usually wound up working through those breaks.

The defendant in that case, Waste Management Inc., also faces legal action in Pennsylvania from a former employee who claims he was not paid for many of the duties that are included in garbage man jobs. These duties include attending meetings, vehicle inspections, preparing and gathering tools, reviewing work orders and other paperwork, and more.

About the FLSA

The Fair Labor Standards Act is a federal law, passed in 1938, that prevents employers from unfairly exploiting workers. The law mandates that all workers employed by a company with $500,000 or more in annual revenues must be paid at least minimum wage and compensated at 150 percent of their normal wage for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week. Violators can be subject to fines and penalties in addition to lawsuits.