Library Workers Claim Unpaid Earnings in Wage & Hour Lawsuit

In New Jersey, some library workers aren’t getting paid their promised wages, which has resulted in a wage and hour lawsuit that involves the public library and local government. Sadly, the library employees are pawns in a larger game that has the library’s Board of Trustees up against the municipal government and Raritan mayor. This isn’t the first time the library and government have been tangled in a lawsuit this year.

In early 2013, there was a legal battle regarding just how much money the library should be able to have in bank accounts. This centered on a 2010 law that requires libraries to give back funds that exceed 20 percent of GOE for tax relief purposes. According to government officials, they think the library was hiding money, but the library officials disagree since they’re in the midst of a plan to renovate a building.

The Real Victims

The details of where the money is, how it’s being spent, and whether or not the library is abiding by rules doesn’t mean much to the employees at this point. Seven employees were promised raises in January 2013, and they never received them. These employees include the library Director, Assistant Director, bookkeeper, children’s librarian and three more employees. It’s been seven months since they should have begun receiving their higher salary, and their retroactive salaries are piling up.

The wage and hour lawsuit was filed on July 1 in the Superior Court of Somerville. Initially, the library director Mary J. Paese was awarded a $56,000 salary, but a Borough Council vote on June 25 only approved her new salary at $52,000. She has yet to receive either raise. The hourly employees received one dollar per hour raises.

A Last Resort

According to the employees, they tried in vain to get their raises before seeking legal counsel. Wage and hour lawsuits can be time consuming, and these employees have already gone over half a year without the raises they were promised. However, they report that government officials were non-responsive. While they didn’t want to file a wage and hour claim, they feel it’s their only option.

Wage and hour lawsuits aren’t uncommon for civil servants. In this case, it involves lack of payment, but wage and hour claims can also include getting “docked” for breaks that should be paid, shaving hours off of time cards or forcing employees to work overtime illegally (or without proper compensation). There are many caveats that may fit a wage and hour lawsuit.

Do You Have a Wage and Hour Complaint?

If you think you may have a wage and hour case, it’s time to get help. You might qualify for a wage and hour legal claim, and there are numerous class action lawsuits around the country that might fit your situation. You work hard for your money, and you deserve it in a timely fashion.

Find out more by visiting the Wage & Hour, Unpaid Overtime Class Action Lawsuit Investigation today. You’ll be able to submit your information and an attorney will contact you if you qualify. A free wage and hour claim review can help you get on the fast track to adequate compensation.