HOUSTON — A former operator is suing BTI Services Inc., alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act for unpaid overtime work.
Taylor Watkins, individually and behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a lawsuit Feb. 9 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against BTI Services.
According to the complaint, Watkins worked for BTI, a subsidiary of Superior Energy Services Inc., from December 2012 to December 2013 in the flowback and well testing division. Some of his daily and weekly activities were routine and mostly governed by standardized plans, procedures and checklists created by BTI, the suit states. Walkins says he worked more than 40 hours on a regular basis.
The suit further alleges BTI denied Watkins overtime pay as result of the company’s alleged pay practices, but instead paid Watkins a salary and a job bonus. The complaint says BTI’s pay practices victimized numerous employees and are in violation of the FLSA.
Watkins seeks a jury trial, unpaid benefits and compensation in connection with the FLSA violations and unpaid back wages and liquidated damages owed, along with court and attorney fees. He is represented by attorneys Michael A. Josephson, Jessica M. Bresler, Lindsay R. Itkin and Andrew W. Dunlap of Fibich, Leebron, Copeland, Briggs and Josephson in Houston, and Richard J. Burch of Bruckner Burch PLLC in Houston.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case number 4:16-cv-00352