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Anhueser-Busch InBev Truck Drivers File Suit Over Breaks and Overtime Pay

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Anheuser-Busch InBev is facing a $5 million lawsuit from two employees who say the company failed to pay its truck drivers overtime and did not allow them to take meal and rest breaks.

The class action lawsuit, filed Monday by truck drivers Charles Hill and Joe Correra, states that “Anheuser-Busch’s violations … were willful and intentional.”

Hill and Correa, who have worked for the company for more than 40 years combined, say they delivered alcoholic beverages to retail locations throughout California, “worked numerous weeks in excess of 40 hours,” but did not receive the overtime pay. 

They also claim that despite a written company policy allowing meal and rest breaks, the company actively refused its employees from taking such breaks. What’s more, the company’s piece-rate payment structure didn’t allow for breaks because drivers are paid the same amount – based on the number of cases delivered – regardless if they take a break or not.

“As such,” the lawsuit argued, “it was impossible to take a break and be paid for the time.”

The company also encouraged drivers to clock out prior to finishing the day’s work, the plaintiffs claim.

“The drivers routinely would clock out first and then proceed to the warehouse to finish their work duties [saving] them a trip back to the clock-out location,” the lawsuit states. 

Allegedly, Anheuser-Busch InBev knew about this practice but still continued to allow the drivers to perform the work. 

The plaintiffs represent a class of other truck drivers which could reach up to 400 members, based on the number of California drivers either currently employed or who drove for Anheuser-Busch InBev during the four years preceding the lawsuit.

Image Credit: Christopher Halloran / Shutterstock.com

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Fortune

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