United States Postal Service Hit with Virginia Workers' Unpaid Overtime Law

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Thirty-nine current and former United States Postal Service employees who worked at branches and stations in the Richmond, Virginia area have put their names on a proposed class action lawsuit that claims they were not paid proper overtime wages in accordance with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Excluded from the wage and hour allegations is the Richmond Main Post Office, the 12-page complaint points out.

Proposed class members currently or formerly work at multiple postal service braches under the common control and management of the Richmond Main Post Office. The reason behind the defendant’s alleged non-payment of overtime wages is, unsurprisingly, an effort to reduce labor costs:

“Over the past decade, USPS has cut its staffing and labor costs by $10 billion,” the lawsuit reads. “At least in part due to the aforementioned significant staffing reductions, [the plaintiffs], and all those similarly situated, are often unable to complete their routes and/or duties during their scheduled work hours. At least in part due to budget reductions, management and supervisors are under pressure to keep labor costs down by not paying overtime premiums. On information and belief, supervisors are instructed and/or encouraged by management not to exceed certain labor cost thresholds and incentivized with bonuses to keeping overtime premium payments low.”