MAXATAWNY TWP., Pa. - A federal court jury found that battery manufacturer East Penn Manufacturing violated federal law by failing to pay overtime to more than 7,500 employees.
The company, headquartered in Maxatawny Township, Berks County, is one of the world's largest battery manufacturers.
The jury awarded back wages of more than $22 million to the U.S. Department of Labor for more than 7,500 employees working for East Penn.
The award marks the largest recorded verdict under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The department intends to ask the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to award an equal amount in liquidated damages for the affected workers. The department will also seek an injunction requiring future FLSA compliance by the manufacturer.
The 30-day trial ended when the jury found that the battery manufacturer was required to pay the affected workers for all of their working time, resulting in overtime violations.
In most instances, East Penn paid workers only for their 8-hour scheduled shift but did not pay for additional time employees needed to put on and remove protective equipment and to shower to avoid the dangers of lead exposure and other hazards encountered on the job.
Federal law requires employers to pay an overtime premium for hours over 40 in a workweek.
“This verdict of more than $22 million is a long-overdue victory for more than 7,500 workers at East Penn Manufacturing,” said Principal Deputy Wage and Hour Administrator...
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