Weldon Spring company accused of labor violations (damages of $225,000 related to unpaid work)

[Omaha Steve]

http://suburbanjournals.stltoday.com/articles/2009/02/10/stcharles/news/0211stc-prop00.txt
CEO: Company follows law

By Eric Becker
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:54 PM CST

Fifteen workers at manufacturing facilities in Puerto Rico are suing Weldon Spring-based Propper International, the largest manufacturer of uniforms for the U.S. military, alleging labor law violations.

The workers are suing for damages of $225,000 related to unpaid work.

The case alleges that the company, which operates eight plants in Puerto Rico, did not grant legally required paid sick days and vacation days and that some vacation days were paid at the federal minimum wage rather than workers' regular wages.

Propper International President and CEO Tom Kellim said Monday that Propper and other sewing companies are exempt from the Puerto Rican law requiring 12 paid sick days. He said his company cares about the safety and welfare of its employees, and its benefits reflect that.

Lead plaintiff Rafael Irizarry has been joined by 14 other workers from the eight Puerto Rican plants in the class action suit. Officials from Unite Here, a group that has been trying to organize a union at the company, is bankrolling the lawsuit.

[midnight]

1. This is going on here in Wisconsin.