Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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SAN FRANCISCO -- A Phoenix-based corporation that provides workers who unload commercial trucks at warehouses across the country will pay $1.4 million in back wages and penalties to settle federal charges that it violated the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

World Super Services, with corporate offices at 3030 N. Central Ave., #506, was named in a federal complaint following an investigation by the Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division.

"Even though we are witnessing many changes in our workforce and the way we do business in the 21^st century, there are still constants," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "Under my leadership, the department's first responsibility will be to protect workers by enforcing the law. It is a fundamental principle of American labor law as well as a basic tenet of fair play to guarantee an honest day's pay for an honest day's work."

Under the terms of the consent judgment entered in U.S. District Court in Phoenix April 24, the company will pay a total of $1,138,400 in minimum wages and overtime to 3,143 employees, as well as $261,600 in civil money penalties. By signing the consent judgment, the principals of the corporation agree to adhere to the FLSA in the future.

In addition to the consent judgment, World Super Services has agreed to sign a compliance agreement with the Labor Department under which the company will take proactive steps to insure compliance in the future. The company will train managers on compliance with the FLSA, for example, will conduct periodic self-audits, and will work to quickly resolve complaints internally as they arise.

The charges against World Super Service are the result of a review of the company's pay procedures at locations across the country. The investigation, coordinated by the Phoenix Wage and Hour office, revealed that the pay system resulted in some of the workers receiving hourly wages less than the federal minimum, and did not provide higher pay for overtime work.

The Fair Labor Standards Act requires that employees receive at least $5.15 per hour and not less than one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for their work in excess of 40 hours in a workweek

"This investigation involved a coordinated effort by investigators from Wage and Hour offices across the country," said Pam Yerger, the Wage and Hour district director in Phoenix. "It demonstrates the far-reaching ability and the commitment of the Labor Department to enforce federal labor laws with employers with multiple locations."

For more information about the federal wage and hour or child labor laws, call the Department of Labor's toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243) or contact the Phoenix district office at 602-640-2990. Information is also available on the Internet at www.dol.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7828 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America’s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.