Minnesota cleaning companies suspected of overtime pay violations
Workers who have filed a lawsuit against their employer Diversified Maintenance Systems recently protested outside of a Kmart in south Minneapolis. The lawsuit that was originally filed by 13 workers a year ago has gained steam and is now being considered for class action status.
The affected workers contend that they did not receive the proper pay for their time and attendance. Some employees provided cleaning services for 130 Kmart, Sears, Target, Best Buy and other stores seven days a week, allegedly without receiving additional wages. The suit also notes that Many workers were paid minimum wage - $7.50 or $8 per hour - without basic benefits such as sick days or vacation time.
At the protest event, employees dressed as ghosts, which was demonstrative of an illegal pay practice they said took place within the company. Workers said they were given two timecards - one that was used for all of their regular employee attendance up until 40 hours in a week - and supplied with another "ghost card" that was used when they surpassed that total. Rather than compiling the two figures, the employer allegedly paid workers cash at straight time rates for any hours on the "ghost card."
"We can't live on that," Lucia Dominguez, one of the protesters, told Workday Minnesota. "What we're asking for is fair wages, fair working conditions and a voice on our jobs."
The affected workers contend that they did not receive the proper pay for their time and attendance. Some employees provided cleaning services for 130 Kmart, Sears, Target, Best Buy and other stores seven days a week, allegedly without receiving additional wages. The suit also notes that Many workers were paid minimum wage - $7.50 or $8 per hour - without basic benefits such as sick days or vacation time.
At the protest event, employees dressed as ghosts, which was demonstrative of an illegal pay practice they said took place within the company. Workers said they were given two timecards - one that was used for all of their regular employee attendance up until 40 hours in a week - and supplied with another "ghost card" that was used when they surpassed that total. Rather than compiling the two figures, the employer allegedly paid workers cash at straight time rates for any hours on the "ghost card."
"We can't live on that," Lucia Dominguez, one of the protesters, told Workday Minnesota. "What we're asking for is fair wages, fair working conditions and a voice on our jobs."
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