It may not be the class action asbestos cases of previous decades, but a new lawsuit involving underpaid warehouse workers is seeking class action status in Federal Court here in Chicago.  The lawsuit was filed on behalf of four Illinois men who claim their employer, Staffing Solutions Southeast, Inc. (a Georgia based staffing corporation), failed to pay them proper minimum wages and overtime pay.  Staffing Solutions allegedly hired the workers for a fee and sent them to a Chicago area Home Depot store where they unloaded items in the warehouse.

The workers acknowledge they were paid by Staffing Solutions, but that the rate did not reach the minimum level of $8.25 per hour.  The lawsuit also states that the warehouse workers were forced to work during breaks and that Staffing Solutions failed to maintain accurate time sheets.  If these allegations are true then Staffing Solutions may be in violation of the Temporary Labor Services Act and subject to penalties.

It is still too early to know how big the class will be, or even if it will grow.  However, it should be a warning to similar staffing agencies to be weary of such malfeasance.

For more, read 4 Warehouse Workers Sue, Say Employer Violated Illinois Law, by Alejandro Cancino   Chicago Tribune, October 23, 2013