HOUSTON — A Conroe-based drywall company is facing a class action suit alleging they failed to pay their construction workers for overtime.
Edin Omar Mejia, individually and on behalf of all similarly situated persons, filed a complaint Nov. 16 in the Harris County District Court against Villareal Drywall Inc., and Edward Villareal alleging violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
According to the complaint, Mejia worked for Villareal from Dec. 2015 through November of 2018, as a construction worker who performed drywall services. He alleges that during his time working for Villareal, he "regularly" worked more than 40 hours per week and was paid on a hourly basis with no "overtime premium."
Mejia also alleges that he did not fall under any exemptions to keep Villareal from paying him overtime and that the company "knowingly, willfully or with reckless disregard" had an "illegal pattern of practice regarding overtime compensation."
Mejia claims Villareal's actions were a "willful" and "blatant" disregard for the federally protected rights of their workers.
Mejia seeks monetary relief between $250,000 and $1 million, trial by jury and all other just relief. Mejia is represented by Josef Buenker of The Buenker Law Firm in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2020-73591