HOUSTON — A Houston-based moving company is facing a class action alleging it failed to pay its movers for overtime and also took illegal deductions from their pay.
Julian Lopez, Jr., individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint May 5 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Ameritex Movers Inc., alleging violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Lopez worked for Ameritex as a mover in Houston from May 2019, through March 2020. He alleges that he was paid on commission basis based on the distance of the customer's move. Lopez claims Ameritex not only failed to pay him wages for overtime work but also took illegal deductions out of his pay that included "leasing" uniforms. He alleges this resulted in his earning less than the federal minimum wage.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief, trial by jury and all other appropriate relief. They are represented by Ricardo Prieto and Melinda Arbuckle of Shellist, Lazarz, Slobin LLP in Houston.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number 4:20-CV-01579