Ex-Halliburton Worker Sues Company for Iraq Wages

[maddezmom]

HOUSTON (Reuters) - A former Halliburton Corp worker sued the oilfield services company this week to recover overtime wages he said were illegally withheld from the company's workers in Iraq (news - web sites).



In a civil lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Houston, Sammie Curry Smith, Jr. said he often worked more than 80 hours per week as a heating and ventilation systems mechanic beginning in January for KBR, Halliburton's engineering and construction unit.


KBR, the U.S. military's largest private contractor in Iraq, has been investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice (news - web sites) for its billing practices in Iraq regarding alleged overcharges for fuel and costs of food services provided to troops.


Smith, who earned a base salary of $4,004 per month, including a 55 percent premium for "danger pay," was paid only his regular wage rate for the extra hours, according to the lawsuit.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20041203/us_nm/energy_halliburton_lawsuit_dc&cid=1896&ncid=1480

[jayfish]

1. Call Some The Prisoners At Guantanamo.

and ask them if US laws apply outside of the US.

Jay

[maddezmom]

2. agree with your sentiment, but this just proves that Halliburton also

thinks it's above the law..and so far it has been.

[jayfish]

3. Is It Just Halliburton Though?

Corporations rule the roost in this country. Without some sort of massive upheaval I just can't think of a way they will give up that power. They get everything they want and when they do something bad they trot out a mid-level person to bear the brunt of the guillotine or they just get away with it in-total. If you or I make even the simplest mistake it's off with our fucking heads. The latest example that made me come unhinged was the guy who got ripped off by the car dealership but could only sue for $1000.00(yes that is a simplification)because awarding him any more would open up the door to millions of $'s in lawsuits. Excuse me but if millions of $'s is what it takes to keep assholes from ripping people off, then so be it. It's disgusting.

Wow, sorry for the rant

Jay

[Shakespeare]

4. Nope. It's emerging as a major legal issue.

This happens to be part of my job at the moment (wage and hour litigation). There are tons and tons of actions being filed (some are big class action suits) over the exempt/non-exempt overtime issue. Most of the courts are siding with workers (so far), and it's going to force companies to change the way they classify and pay their employees.

Do a google search for "wage hour litigation" if you want more info. It's fascinating stuff.

[private_ryan]

5. Most of the courts are siding with workers (so far)

yp, so far. All will be overturned by the Scalia Court in just a few years. All the corporations have to do is keep the cases tied till then.

[Shakespeare]

8. Possibly, but a large number of these are also settling...

...before going to trial, and part of the settlements generally include a change in policies and procedures. That's something that Scalia can't undo, fortunately.

[jayfish]

6. I Have Been Hearing Little...

bits about this. We'll see how the appeals process goes though. I actually have a wage/hour problem where I work but I'm not in a financial position to fight it.

Jay

[Shakespeare]

7. Do you have a legal aid clinic in your area?

This is the kind of case most of them are happy to take on on your behalf. Don't let money deter you if you have a legitimate grievance.

[elehhhhna]

9. That's why the DOL just changed wage & overtime law. Nobody's in vio-

lation now.

[Barkley]

10. They could hire 1/2 of Falluja with $4,004 /month + danger pay

... okay I'm exaggerating but not by much.