A former employee has filed a class-action lawsuit against a prominent property management company, alleging multiple labor law violations. Christopher Rodriguez lodged the complaint on December 9, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, targeting Trigild Incorporated and Trigild LLC.
Rodriguez claims that during his employment at Comfort Suites San Jose Airport from September to November 2023, he and other non-exempt employees were systematically denied their rights under California labor laws. The lawsuit accuses Trigild of failing to pay minimum wage for off-the-clock work, not compensating overtime correctly, and neglecting to provide mandatory meal and rest breaks. "Plaintiff and the class members did not receive compliant meal and rest periods," states the complaint. Additionally, Rodriguez argues that the company issued inaccurate wage statements and failed to pay waiting time penalties upon termination of employment.
The complaint further alleges that these practices are part of a broader pattern of unfair competition by Trigild. Under California's Unfair Competition Law, such business practices are deemed unlawful. Rodriguez is seeking restitution for unpaid wages, interest on those wages, penalties for wage statement inaccuracies up to $4,000 per class member, waiting time penalties equivalent to 30 days' wages for each affected employee who no longer works for Trigild, and various PAGA (Private Attorneys General Act) penalties related to these violations.
Rodriguez aims to represent all similarly situated non-exempt employees who worked for Trigild within four years prior to the filing date until certification or judgment. The case highlights common legal questions about whether Trigild violated specific sections of the Labor Code concerning overtime pay rates and break provisions. It underscores typicality in claims across the proposed class due to shared experiences of alleged violations.
The lawsuit seeks several forms of relief: payment for unpaid wages including overtime at correct rates; premium pay for missed breaks; restitution under unfair competition laws; applicable PAGA penalties; attorney fees; and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court. Frontier Law Center represents Rodriguez with Adam Rose as lead counsel.
The case is presided over by Judge Y. Chavez under Case ID 24CV453578 in Santa Clara County's Superior Court.