Tuscaloosa judges uphold $35M Family Dollar ruling

[The Straight Story]

Tuscaloosa judges uphold $35M Family Dollar ruling
Birmingham Business Journal - by Crystal Jarvis Staff


Three federal judges this week upheld a $35.6 million ruling against Family Dollar Stores Inc., saying the chain denied employees overtime pay by classifying them as store managers.

A three-judge panel in Tuscaloosa agreed with a 2006 jury that found the Matthews, N.C.-based company in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act and awarded back pay to 1,424 employees, who routinely worked 60 to 70 hours a week. Their duties often included mopping floors, unloading trucks, stocking shelves and running cash registers.

The jury “reasonably determined that Family Dollar failed to meet its burden of proving that Plaintiff store managers' primary duty was management,” said Judge Frank M. Hull in a statement. He was joined by Judges Joel F. Dubina and Peter T. Fay.

Birmingham attorney Allen Schreiber of the firm Schreiber and Petro represented the plaintiffs.

http://birmingham.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2008/12/15/daily46.html

[snooper2]

1. so, after lawyers get half the money...

Each person would get $12,500...


not too shabby for a class-action

[rocktivity]

3. I don't think they get more than a third

But you're right.

:headbang:
rocknation

[ColbertWatcher]

6. That's a little backwards.

The lawyers have to win the case first, the jury awards the people some amount, then the lawyers get paid.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Good!

A victory for the workers! I'm tired of chains designating everyone a "manager" when there is nothing and no one to manage.

[happyslug]

4. Here is the opinion of the court:

http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/ops/200712398.pdf

Please note this case has been SEVEN years in Litigation, seven years of the Lawyers NOT being paid AND paying for the cost to maintain this Class action.

[OwnedByFerrets]

5. I am shocked!!