Officers’ Union Sues County for Overtime Pay
A union representing 113 lieutenants in county law enforcement agencies sued the county Tuesday, alleging it is violating a labor law by refusing to pay the lieutenants premium overtime.
The U.S. District Court lawsuit filed by the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Assn. said the Sheriff’s Department, marshal’s office and district attorney’s office are violating the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
The suit said the Supreme Court ruled in February, 1985, that the law can be applied to state and local employees. But since the law went into effect April 15, 1986, the agencies have insisted on paying the lieutenants straight time for overtime, instead of a “premium overtime rate.” The lawsuit also accuses the county agencies of failing to institute a “time and record-keeping system” to keep track of the time worked.
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