A group of New Jersey sales associates who work in Dish Network LLC call centers urged a federal court to confirm a $1.9 million arbitration award stemming from a proposed class action, in which the workers said the satellite television provider miscalculated their overtime pay rates.  The case is entitled Frisari v. Dish Network LLC, and was filed in federal court in the District of New Jersey.

Group of satellite dishes
Copyright: foottoo / 123RF Stock Photo

The workers urge that the award, which gave the employees overtime at time and one-half, instead of the half-time overtime rates they were paid, is appropriate under long established principles.  The plaintiffs urge that “it is well established that when this court reviews an arbitration award, as long as the arbitrator’s award is not by ‘his own brand of industrial justice,’ the award is legitimate.”

The plaintiffs’ lawyer stated that the award shows that employers could not “cut corners” by paying overtime based on a half-time premium, which is a form of the FLSA “fluctuating work week” method.  He stated that “this sets precedent that companies cannot use the fluctuating work week method under the New Jersey Wage & Hour Law.”

The employees claimed that they were compelled to work off the clock and were prevented from accurately reporting these overtime hours.  They asserted that they were not paid while they performed preliminary duties before their shifts began, such as booting up computers and launching software.  The employees also claimed that they often worked through lunch, although these meal breaks were counted as unpaid periods.

The employees had filed suit and then the Company claimed that they were compelled to arbitrate their claims individually, as opposed to a class action, but the arbitrator held that there was the possibility the workers could still proceed with their claims as a class.   The Company sought to vacate that award but was unsuccessful.  In the final order he entered, the arbitrator awarded $480,000 in attorneys’ fees to the class and $1.9 million damages for the class.

The Takeaway

This case illustrates an interesting trend that is perhaps developing.  I believe (and I see it in my practice) that plaintiff lawyers are becoming less averse to litigating FLSA claims in an arbitral forum, where defendants would much prefer to be in.  On balance, I think it is better for both sides.  It is much cheaper, much faster and arbitrators are usually pretty savvy, both in deciding the case on the merits and facilitating settlements.

A win win.  Maybe…