NEW YORK, NY — New York City Attorney General Eric Schneiderman recently filed an unpaid overtime lawsuit against an East Flatbush car wash company the city claims defrauded over 100 minimum wage workers out of their hard-earned pay, including overtime wages. The overtime pay lawsuit accuses Tropical Breeze Car Wash of failing to pay an estimated 150 current and former workers a combined total of $540,000 in wages and benefits over at least six years.
Attorney General Schneiderman recently held a press conference outlining the city’s intention to recover a total of $1.6 million in back pay and damages over company policies that paid some of its workers off the books and adjusted the hours of other to avoid paying time and a half. Furthermore, the defendant failed to reimburse workers the cost of buying their own uniforms and other business expenses, according to the civil action brought in Brooklyn Supreme Court.
“Every worker deserves an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work,” said Schneiderman in the statement. “Yet we allege that Tropical Breeze Car Wash shamefully stiffed workers at every turn. We’re taking them to court and seeking to recover every penny of unpaid wages for these workers, plus damages and penalties for the company’s egregious conduct.”
Under state and federal labor and wage laws, companies must pay workers at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 or the applicable state minimum wage, if higher. Additionally, these laws require companies pay their workers one and a half times their average hourly rate of pay when working more than 40 hours in a single week.
Other allegations against Tropical Breeze Car Wash include skirting insurance payments by underreporting the number of workers employed at its locations and paying these workers off the books. The lawsuit represents the latest legal action brought by the city against area car washes and previous suits against 26 other car washes recovered $2.5 million for 1,000 workers.
Car Wash Worker 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.