Branham
LUFKIN - A security guard has filed a lawsuit against his employer claiming he and other employees were not paid overtime wages.
William Freisner, on behalf of himself and others similarly situated, filed a collective lawsuit against Anover Inc., doing business as Yellow Rose Ranch, Yellow Rose Ranch Security and Ruel Morton on March 26 in the Eastern District of Texas, Lufkin Division.
Claiming violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, Freisner, a security guard at the defendant's offices in Hawkins, claims that he was required to work overtime but was not paid time and one-half for all hours worked over 40 hours in a given workweek.
Freisner also claims that he was not provided a scheduled rest or lunch break and was often required to arrive and stay 20 minutes before and after his shift.
According to the allegations, security guards and personal protection officers are required to work more than 40 hours per week and are repeatedly required to work 12-hour shifts four or five days per week. The janitorial staff is paid similarly, the suit states.
The lawsuit will represent all current and former security personnel, including personal protection officers, customer service personnel and janitorial staff, who were not paid for all hours worked at the proper overtime rate.
The plaintiff is asking for an award of damages for unpaid overtime wages, liquidated damages, court costs, interest and attorney's fees.
Robert M. Parker, Andrew T. Gorham, Robert Christopher Bunt and Charles Ainsworth of Parker, Bunt & Ainsworth P.C. in Tyler; and Charles W. Branham III of Branham Law Group in Dallas are representing Freisner.
A jury trial is requested.
U.S. District Judge Ron Clark is assigned to the case.
Case No. 9:12-cv-00048