Temp Workers File Class-Action Lawsuit Against Walmart
CHICAGO (CBS)-- Walmart and its staffing agencies failed to follow federal minimum wage and overtime laws when it required temporary workers to appear early for work, stay late to complete work and work through lunches and breaks, according to a federal class-action lawsuit filed Monday.
The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, claims staff agencies Labor Ready-Midwest, Inc. and QPS Employment Group, Inc. failed to provide workers assigned to work at Walmart stores employment and proper wage payment notices that are required by the Illinois Day and Temporary Labor Services Act.
Walmart also failed to keep accurate records of workers' time as required by federal and state law and has failed to provide workers with forms verifying hours worked, the suit said.
Walmart and its staffing agencies also failed to pay workers a minimum of four hours pay on days when they were contracted to work, but not utilized for a minimum of four hours, which is required under state law.
Walmart and its staffing agencies also failed to pay minimum wage for all time the employees worked, which included participating in trainings without compensation, appearing early for work, staying late to complete work, and working through lunches and breaks.
Since October 2009 through the present, these state and federal law violations are alleged to have occurred.
The 13-count suit claims violations of the Fair Labor Standards, Illinois Wage Payment and Collection, and Illinois Day and Temporary Labor Services acts. It also claims a violation of the Illinois Minimum Wage Law.
The suit seeks all unpaid wages for the workers and an injunction preventing Walmart and its staffing agencies from future violations of state labor laws. The suit also seeks unspecified damages, attorney fees and other court costs.
Spokespeople for Walmart and Labor Ready-Midwest were not immediately available for comment. Anne Jabusch, spokeswoman for QPS Employment, said the company was reviewing the matter and could not comment.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
