NEW YORK — A group of technicians brought in as temporary workers during a strike by Verizon workers this summer recently filed an unpaid overtime lawsuit against the telecom giant alleging they routinely worked over 40-hours per week without time-and-a-half pay.
The lawsuit claims they were improperly classified as independent contractors when in fact Verizon was very involved with their training and oversight.
The temp workers were employed as wire line workers and were responsible for maintaining copper wiring running from fiber optic cables to households and business serviced by Verizon. Approximately 36,000 workers up and down the East Coast went on strike for seven-weeks this summer demanding better wages and benefits after their union contract with the telecom company expired.
The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, claims Verizon engaged in an employment practice known as “fissured employment” as a way to fill its employment needs, force employees to work long hours, and avoid paying them overtime wages. Plaintiffs allege that although they were employed by various other firms, including Tesinc, Evans Splicing and PS Splicing, Verizon was still a joint employer and owes them back wages.
Temporary Employees Alleged Verizon Misclassified Them as Independent Contractors
According to the complaint, Verizon was preparing contingency plans for scenarios when its technicians would actually walk off the job and had been training wire line workers from other companies for some time leading up to the event. However, the former temp workers in the suit claim they were ultimately subject to the same employment screenings, training, and supervision as Verizon’s full time staff.
Verizon even went so far as to withhold money from paychecks for workers’ compensation insurance and other deductions. Plaintiffs contend that simply because Verizon classified them as independent contractors did not mean they actually met federal standards as such and are therefore due overtime pay, liquidated damages, and attorney’s fees to cover the cost of recovering back wages.
Temp 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 and and other employees 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.