The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Business

December 13, 2012

GJR worker sues and seeks class-action status

By Joe Pinchot Herald Staff Writer

PINE TOWNSHIP — An employee of George Junior Republic of Pennsylvania is seeking class-action status for himself and other employees he alleges are not being paid for some work time.

George Junior Republic of Pennsylvania, which operates a Pine Township residential treatment facility for delinquent and dependent boys for parent company George Junior Republic, said all employees are properly paid.

Grant Galloway, 51 Lake St., sued in September in U.S. District Court, Pittsburgh, alleging George Junior Republic required counselor/parent assistants to stay overnight beyond their assigned shifts, without being paid for the time.

The assistants supervise and monitor resident youths when counselor/parents are off duty.

Galloway alleges violations of the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act, the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act.

In its response filed last month, George Junior denied the allegations and said Galloway misinterpreted a previous court decision as to whether “sleep time” is paid time.

George Junior said employees work 52-hour shifts that include two eight-hour sleeping periods. If employees are not disturbed during their sleep time, they are not paid for that time, which is considered off duty.

Galloway is seeking three years of damages and interest, plus costs and attorney’s fees.

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