LOS ANGELES — Paramount Pictures and Red Granite Pictures, owned by Leonardo DiCaprio, recently agreed to a proposed settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit with former production assistants over allegations the companies failed to pay workers for all their due wages and forced the plaintiffs to work under harsh conditions. The $700,000 settlement will compensate approximately 400 class members to end the lawsuit and cover the the plaintiffs’ cost of litigating the unpaid overtime claim, back pay with interest, unpaid overtime, and other damages.
Originally filed in January 2016 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the unpaid overtime class action lawsuit alleged that the plaintiffs worked as many as 60 to 100 hours per week on closed or sensitive sets that resulted in harsh employment conditions. The claim charged that the plaintiffs often were forced to relieve themselves in plastic bottles and buckets in their cars to keep up with the defendant’s employment demands.
Plaintiffs Claim Defendant Paid a Daily Flat Wage
The complaint states that the defendants improperly paid the production assistants a flat shift rate for pay for each 12-hour shift worked, and this type of pay practice was illegal under the New York Wage Prevention Act and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Both laws set standards for minimum wages, overtime pay, and record keeping as well as classifying the types of workers who may be overtime exempt under the applicable statute. Often times, companies improperly classify workers as interns or independent contractors to avoid paying these employees all their wages due under applicable state or federal law.
While the defendants do not admit any liability by the settling the claim, attorneys for the two movie production companies did not oppose certification of the class action for purposes of settling the claim. Both Paramount Pictures and Red Granite Pictures face other civil actions brought by the Department of Justice in federal court over allegations the companies engaged in money laundering while filming overseas.
Intern 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 believe 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.