LOS ANGELES — Almost eight years after first filing suit, thousands of current and former security guards for one of the nation’s largest private security companies may finally receive compensation for all the wages they claim the defendant failed to pay. The defendant, US Security Associates (USSA), and plaintiffs recently agreed to a massive $21 million proposed settlement reached during mediation talks prior to trial. The federal judge hearing the claim will have to review the proposed settlement and approve the agreement before plaintiffs can begin to receive payments.
The class action unpaid overtime lawsuit, filed in 2009 in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, claims the defendant violated several provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as well as California wage and labor laws. Two years after first filing his lawsuit, the lead plaintiff was able to secure class action certification from the judge to allow more than 17,000 current and former security guards to join the action and recover their own lost wages.
The defendant attempted to appeal the class certification, taking the case before the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, but that court upheld the lower District Court ruling. After being struck down the by the Appeals Court, the defendants attempted to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court but were once again rebuffed after the justices refused to hear the case. The case highlights the lengths many defendants will go to deny, delay, and defend themselves from even the most blatant of wage theft cases.
Among the chief complaints in the lawsuit were allegations the defendant denied plaintiffs their mandatory meal and rest break under California law. Under state labor statutes, employers must give workers one half hour meal break for nourishment and rest immediately following their fifth hour or work. If workers cannot take the time off, the business must compensate workers with one additional hour of regular hourly pay.
Security Guard Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit
Call (855) 754-2795 or complete the Free Unpaid Overtime Case Review form on the top right of this page if you feel that your wage rights are being violated under the FLSA. Our top-rated team of unpaid wage lawyers will evaluate your situation to determine your best course of action to help you seek justice.
Our office will also determine if it is in your best interest to file a lawsuit against your employer. Because strict time limitations apply for filing these types of claims, we advise you contact our experienced unpaid overtime wage attorneys at your earliest convenience and preserve your legal rights.