Arizona Pipeline to pay $750,000 in back wages following Labor Department investigation
Underground utility contractor Arizona Pipeline has agreed to pay $750,000 in overtime back wages after an investigation by the Department of Labor. The investigation covered a two-year period beginning in November 2007, and found the company to be in violation of the overtime and recordkeeping provisions set by the Fair Labor Standards Act. 740 employees were found to have been affected.
The department determined that the company had committed numerous infractions, including not paying employees for the time they spent on pre- and post-shift duties associated with their jobs, such as loading materials and cleaning trucks. Travel time was not compensated, and 30 minutes for lunch was always taken out of their pay even though many took shorter breaks or skipped lunch all together. Additionally, the company held mandatory monthly meetings, for which workers were not paid.
"There is no excuse to deny workers the wages they have worked hard to earn," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Cheating workers out of time spent on the job - whether performing work-related tasks, traveling or attending a meeting - is unacceptable."
Jeans manufacturer Levi Strauss recently agreed to pay over a million dollars in back wages to almost 600 of its employees as a result of a similar investigation.
The department determined that the company had committed numerous infractions, including not paying employees for the time they spent on pre- and post-shift duties associated with their jobs, such as loading materials and cleaning trucks. Travel time was not compensated, and 30 minutes for lunch was always taken out of their pay even though many took shorter breaks or skipped lunch all together. Additionally, the company held mandatory monthly meetings, for which workers were not paid.
"There is no excuse to deny workers the wages they have worked hard to earn," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Cheating workers out of time spent on the job - whether performing work-related tasks, traveling or attending a meeting - is unacceptable."
Jeans manufacturer Levi Strauss recently agreed to pay over a million dollars in back wages to almost 600 of its employees as a result of a similar investigation.
All data and information provided on this news blog is for informational purposes only. Infinisource makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. Information regarding employment suits and other legal action is not updated after publication, and may not be current.