Maintenance worker sues hotel for overtime wages

SHERMAN - A hotel maintenance worker is suing his employer for failing to pay him for time worked in excess of 40 hours per week.

Claiming violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, Mark Reed filed suit against La Quinta Inns & Suites Inc., La Quinta Inns Inc., LQ Management and HVM/LQ Management on March 12 in the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division.

La Quinta is accused of violating the FLSA by failing to pay Reed, a nonexempt employee, at time and one-half his regular rate of pay for all hours worked within a workweek in excess of 40 hours.

Reed was employed with La Quinta as a maintenance employee for approximately 11 years. He states he was only paid for 40 hours per workweek despite working far more while performing variously assigned repair and maintenance tasks.

The defendants are accused of intentionally and deliberately refusing to pay Reed overtime compensation as required by FLSA.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for unpaid overtime wages, liquidated damages, attorneys' fees, costs, expenses, court costs and interest.

Reed is represented by David M. Curtis of David M. Curtis & Associates in Dallas. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Richard A. Schell is assigned to the case.

Case No. 4:11-cv-00124