• Workers argued that the healthcare system failed to pay overtime as fast as the law requires
• Lawyers for the workers argued that other judges may have cut the amount owed from $64 million to $11 million.
• The healthcare system changed its policy in November 2020, after the employees filed the lawsuit

The Board of Regents has agreed to pay $15 million to settle a class-action lawsuit with current and former University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics employees, according to a Friday court filing.

The healthcare system and about 11,000 workers have been engaged in a legal fight since 2019, when employees alleged that managers didn't pay overtime, bonuses or accrued leave as quickly as state and federal laws require. U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie Rose granted part of the workers' motion for summary judgment in March, but attorneys for the Board of Regents raised the specter of appealing that ruling.

In Friday's motion, lawyers for the employees wrote that their side could have won $64 million. But they added that they believed that a higher court could have overturned a significant portion of the workers' claim, reducing the amount owed to $11 million.

"Based on these concerns, Plaintiffs believe they have obtained a great result for the class members," wrote the attorneys, Boston-based Harold Lichten and Nate Willems, of Cedar Rapids.

A spokesperson for the Board of Regents did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

11,000 workers will receive a share of the...

Read Full Story: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2022/10/15/university-of-...