Chicken Plant Workers Settle for $3.3M in Unpaid Wages

A large group of workers in chicken plants have just resolved claims of unpaid wages for $3.3 million. The workers alleged they went significantly underpaid when hired out by subcontractors for federally funded contracts to remove potentially infected poultry waste. The main contractor responsible for the affected workers is the Massachusetts based Clean Harbors Environments Services Inc. They allegedly failed to ensure that workers were getting paid in accordance with the contracted rates. The settlement will recover wages for more than 4,000 workers throughout nearly 90 job locations across the state of Iowa.

The lawsuit specifically noted that subcontractors for Clean Harbors Environments Services failed to pay its workers weekly as well as the proper prevailing wage as required by federally funded service contracts. The DOL investigation found that workers were paid less than the required prevailing wage, which led to significant underpayment of their overtime wages when working over 40 hours in one work week. Hardworking, middle class workers, especially those in harsh working conditions, deserve to be paid at the premium required rates for their weekly and overtime pay.

Unfortunately, workers in meat and chicken plants often experience wage and hour violations. Additionally, workers who are paid out by city contracts are often paid less than what is required. If you work in this industry or have been paid out by a city contract for a large scale project, you may be owed wages. If you have any questions or concerns about your pay, give us a call for a free and confidential consultation. You can reach us at (212)300-0375 or visit our website here for more information about your rights.