A class action lawsuit has been filed by a group of California port workers against more than two dozen terminal, port, and container companies.
The plaintiffs accuse the defendants of allegedly shorting thousands of port workers sick pay, other wages, and benefits in violation of California labor law.
The lawsuit was initially filed in October 2023 in San Francisco County Superior Court, but was removed to San Francisco federal court on Jan. 19.
Named plaintiffs in the action include Pamela Hill, Jeri Stewart, Rhonda Johnson, Tiyuana Blair, Shyraun Ruffin, Sheila Seals, La Tina Blackmon, Derrick Young, Cory Brown, and Stephen Johnson, all of whom work as watchmen or longshore workers for employers identified as defendants in the action.
They are represented by attorneys Roxanne A. Davis and Frank Hakim, of the firm of Davis*Gavsie & Hakim LLP, of Santa Monica.
The defendants include Pacific Maritime Association and numerous other corporations and limited liability companies involved in terminal operations and shipping, including APM Terminals, Cosco Shipping Terminals, Everglades Company Terminal, Everport Terminal Services, Fenix Marine Services, Maersk A/S, Ports America Cruise, Yang Ming Corportation, and others.
The plaintiffs are seeking enforcement under the Private Attorneys General Act, damages for violations of various sections of the California Labor Code and Los Angeles Municipal Code, injunctive relief, restitution and penalties.