Drivers Say Praxair Tanker Driver Work Lacks Meal and Rest Breaks

If you are a California Praxair tanker driver, you could be eligible for compensation if you have been denied a meal period or rest break that you should have received according to California employment laws.

An investigation has begun to determine if Praxair has violated any of California’s labor laws. The company delivers industrial gases and chemicals to businesses throughout the country. Due to the hazardous nature of their cargo, each Praxair tanker driver is required to stay with the truck without fail.

Even though the requirement to stay with the truck is a safety measure, drivers should still be allowed to take proper meal and rest breaks as required by California laws.

Praxair Tanker Driver and Missed Meal Period Investigation

The state of California has enacted its own labor laws that offer more protection for workers than the federal labor laws. Employees are not supposed to have to complete any work during a meal period. If a meal break is not provided to the worker at all, that worker should be compensated for one hour of pay.

A Praxair tanker driver who is not relieved of all duties during a meal period or rest break is considered “on duty” during those supposed breaks. Those break times are then considered hours worked and the employee must be compensated for that time. Other types of workers who might find themselves in a similar situation include kiosk workers or those who work alone in a convenience store.

This investigation has found some former Praxair tanker drivers allege they had to work during every rest break and meal period and were never compensated for this missed meal and rest breaks.

According to California law, an employee should receive a 30-minute meal break if more than five hours in a row are worked. That 30-minute meal period should begin before the end of the shift’s fifth hour.

Employees are also due a 10-minute rest break for every 3.5 hours worked. A second rest break is due if 6 hours are worked.

Like all truck drivers, a Praxair tanker driver is apt to work long days. Any California employee who works more than 10 hours straight should be allowed a second 30-minute meal period.

Praxair employs more than 26,000 people in more than 50 countries, according to its website. Current listings of job openings for California Praxair tanker drivers make no mention of negotiations needed to forfeit any meal period or rest break.

If you work or have worked as a California Praxair tanker driver and you were denied meal periods and rest breaks, you could be eligible for compensation through legal representation.

Join a Free Praxair Driver Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you work or have worked as a truck driver for Praxair and you were denied meal and/or rest breaks during your shifts, you may qualify to file a Praxair wage and hour lawsuit or class action lawsuit.

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