The US Postal Service (USPS) is facing a class action lawsuit brought by employees who allege the government agency has violated the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The claim alleges that the USPS required work in excess of 8 hours per day and 40 hours per workweek without overtime compensation. And, the plaintiffs claim that the USPS overburdened the carrier's routes and required them to finish the route regardless of whether or not it could be completed within 8 hours.
The complaint states that the employees "had overtime disallowed, had time improperly changed by a supervisor, been required to work through lunch to complete their route, and worked while off-the-clock and/or worked overtime and not been paid." And, the plaintiffs allege that in order to avoid harassment and possible disciplinary action, they work unpaid overtime.
The proposed class includes people employed by USPS as non-exempt postal carriers in the Southwest Area -- comprised of Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma -- at any time in the past 3 years.
Damages are being sought for unpaid wages owed, including interest and liquidated damages and penalties, and other costs. Each plaintiff and class member is reportedly seeking damages in excess of $10,000 during the relevant time.
