Amazon Faces $20M Class Action - Unpaid Wages & Labor Code Violations

Recently, a class action lawsuit was filed against Amazon.com Services LLC, alleging violations of the California Labor Code. The plaintiff, Steven Butzke, claims that Amazon has failed to provide its employees with their rights under the California Labor Code, causing harm to over 2,000 individuals.

Which Laws Did Amazon Allegedly Violate?

Plaintiff Butzke claims that Amazon has violated various sections of the California Labor Code. These sections include payment of wages, payment of wages upon termination, payment of overtime wages, payment for work performed outside normal working hours, and payment for work performed on holidays.

The complaint also alleges violations related to workplace safety and employee rights as well as failing to provide a written description of applicable quotas and work speed data. Furthermore, it mentions that prior notice was not given to the Labor Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) before filing a complaint as required.

Who Are The Class Members?

The class members are individuals who have been affected by Amazon's actions or inactions related to their alleged violations of the California Labor Code. There are no specific criteria for being part of this class; however, it is estimated that over 2,000 individuals could be included based on an inspection of Amazon's records.

Class members are eligible to participate in this lawsuit regardless of which state they reside in.

What Damages Is The Plaintiff Seeking?

In addition to requesting injunctive relief on behalf of all affected employees, Butzke is seeking monetary damages for unpaid wages (including overtime), penalties associated with workplace safety violations, and others.

The plaintiff has not specified an exact dollar amount for these damages; however, it can be assumed that they will seek at least five million dollars given the large size and scope of this class action lawsuit against a major corporation like Amazon.com Services.

What Could Be Next For This Case?

As this class action lawsuit progresses, there will likely be several stages of litigation that both parties must navigate. These stages could include discovery, where both sides exchange information and evidence related to the case; motion practice, where parties may request the court to make certain rulings or decisions; and potentially settlement negotiations or even a trial if the case does not resolve beforehand.