- What is a class action lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit allows a small number of plaintiffs to file suit and efficiently represent the claims of other people who have the same or similar claims.
- Has my employer been sued?
We have filed a number of suits since January, 2016. Please consult our list of PENDING LAWSUITS to find out if we have an active lawsuit against your employer (or former employer). If you DO NOT see your employer listed, please complete and submit our ONLINE CONTACT form or email us at [email protected].
- What should I do if my employer offers to pay back pay?
Talk to a lawyer first. Many of the offers that we have heard about are very low. For example, we heard of one employer who is offering to pay back pay for 2016 if the worker will release all claims for 2014 and 2015. This is a “pennies on the dollar” offer. Everyone considering any settlement offer from the employer should speak to a lawyer first.
- If my employer has not been sued, can I start a new class action?
If you meet certain qualifications (for example, your employer has enough workers to qualify as a class), this is a possibility that we would like to discuss with you. In starting a new class action, you would need to agree to act as a class representative, perhaps along with a few of your fellow workers.
- What do I need to do to join one of the class actions?
If a lawsuit against your employer has been started and a class to which you belong is certified by the court, you will receive notice in due course. If your mailing address has changed since you last worked for an employer, please contact the employer’s HR department and provide an updated mailing address.
- If I file a class action, can my employer retaliate against me, or even fire me?
It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against a worker for bringing a valid claim. We would be prepared to go to court to prevent or seek redress for any such retaliation.
- How do I know if I qualify to file a claim or become a class representative?
Generally workers with claims will have been employed as “hospitality workers” or “transportation workers” within the City of SeaTac at some time from January 1, 2014, to the present and will have been paid less than $15 per hour in 2014, less than $15.24 in 2015 and/or 2016, and less than $15.34 in 2017. The SeaTac law broadly defines “hospitality worker” and “transportation worker.” So, many hotel workers within SeaTac airport (for example, maintenance workers, aircraft refuelers, rental car workers, valet service providers, etc.) will likely qualify. You can contact our office if you are unsure.
- Should I ask my employer before hiring a lawyer?
Generally, no. Your communication with your lawyer is confidential.
- How much will this cost me?
The lawyers bringing these cases have agreed to advance all costs and to seek compensation from the outcome of the lawsuit as ordered by the Court.
- I don’t speak English well. Do you have a translator?
We are prepared to engage translators as necessary to communicate with class representatives.
- How long could this take?
That is hard to say. Sometimes cases settle within a few months, and at other times cases go to trial more than a year later. Your employer may be included in our PENDING LAWSUITS. Please click on the lawsuit against your employer to check the current status of the case.
- Can we do this over the phone, or do I have to travel to your office?
If you are interested in becoming a class representative for an employer we have not yet sued, we would be happy to answer your initial questions over the telephone or email (at no cost to you), but if you become a class representative, we would need to meet in person. We have offices in Tukwila, Seattle, and Shoreline and could also meet elsewhere if convenient.
Class members who are not class representatives will receive notice as directed by the court at a later date if and when the class is certified.
- What is the current status of the cases you have filed?
As of December 27, 2016, we have twenty-five active cases. Settlement discussions are ongoing in a number of cases. Final settlement of our case against Menzies Aviation, Inc. was approved on January 5, 2017. Settlements on two other cases have been preliminarily approved by the court and are moving through the noticing requirements. Others are progressing through the court-issued case schedule. Please check our list of PENDING LAWSUITS to check the status of a particular case.
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