FedEx Lawsuit

As we just stated above, running an enormous corporation inevitably leads to litigation, as keeping thousands of people satisfied is increasingly difficult in a worldwide market.  However, it also seems that Fedex is being sued for several issues, and the latest appeared in the news just last month.

Although the central issue of the case involves a filing and/or procedural technicality, the United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case regarding Fedex and age discrimination in its next term, which begins in October. 

Again, the central issue is whether the plaintiffs in the suit, described as 14 Fedex “employees,” properly filed notice with the EEOC of potential discrimination at least 60 days before filing a lawsuit.  The plaintiffs claim that their filing was proper, while Fedex claims it was not.

 Regardless of how this issue shakes out, it’s becoming quite apparent that Fedex has quite a few worker-related legal issues on its plate.  If you feel that you’ve been wronged by Fedex, contact the Fedex overtime attorneys today to schedule a free initial consultation.

CBS News is reporting today that another legal ruling has come down, at least for the time being, against Fedex.  The news service is reporting that a federal judge has certified a class action lawsuit in which thousands of current and former drivers were discriminated against in that they were paid much less than their white colleagues. 

The case could potentially involve up to 11,000 workers, and the damages, if the plaintiffs win the case, could be astronomical depending on what’s proven and what isn’t.  As one would expect, Fedex is denying any wrongdoing, but given the judge’s recent ruling, they’ll have to do so in court and in front of a federal jury, unless a settlement is reached beforehand.

Once again, it’s unclear how any of this, if any of it, is related to the independent contractors vs. employees debate for Fedex’s drivers, but if you have been wronged in any way by Fedex, contact the Fedex overtime attorneys at Pulaski & Middleman today to schedule a free initial consultation. 

The issue detailed above by CBS News is only the latest discrimination issue that Fedex faces.  A news story from late in 2005 shows that Fedex East also faced scrutiny for allegations that 20 African American employees were denied promotions and assignments, and the reason for these decisions, according to the plaintiffs, was race. 

The case was ultimately settled for $500,000, but the monetary aspect of the settlement is only part of the result.  As a result of this settlement, Fedex must also:

1. Report on promotions from part-time to full-time dock workers;
2. Report on promotions to dock supervisor positions.

Fedex is continuing to face mounting legal controversies for several different reasons and in several different locations.  If you have been harmed by Fedex in any way, please contact the Fedex overtime attorneys at Pulaski & Middleman to schedule a free initial consultation.

Another issue that’s been found to be a sticking point in recent years for Fedex is the

The specifics of the case concern a Fedex worker, Ronald Lockhart, who is profoundly deaf.  Lockhart is a package handler in

Allegedly, Lockhart asked for such an accommodation several times to no avail, and ultimately the EEOC got involved and filed an action against Fedex.  The jury awarded $8,000 in compensatory damages and another $100,000 in punitive damages.

If you have been wronged by Fedex, please contact the Fedex overtime attorneys at Pulaski & Middleman to schedule a free initial consultation. 

Another powerful labor union has given voice to its support for drivers around the country who are suing Fedex over the classification of their drivers as independent contractors as opposed to employees.  This time, it’s the Teamsters, through a letter from their President, who have offered support to these drivers.

There are a few items of interest in the letter, and they appear below:

1. FedEx claims a typical driver makes $50,000 to $55,000 a year. But as one ground driver pointed out, the fuel, maintenance and loans on his truck cut his salary to $20,000.
2. After President Bush’s 2002 tax cuts, FedEx founder and CEO Fred Smith began paying annual dividends to himself and other stockholders for the first time in the company’s history.
3. Since 2002, Smith himself has collected nearly $14.5 million in dividend bonuses.

It’s quite clear why labor unions would ally themselves with the workers, as independent contractors cannot unionize their shops – only employees can.  However, with unions now tossing their hats into the ring against Fedex along with drivers and government entities, the controversy continues to grow.

If you have been harmed by Fedex’s classification of its drivers as independent contractors, you need to contact the Fedex overtime attorneys at Pulaski & Middleman today to schedule a free initial consultation.