A class action lawsuit accuses the Flying Food Group of violating Los Angeles wage ordinances and California labor law.
The lawsuit was initially filed in September in Los Angeles County Superior Court, but was removed to federal court in L.A. on Nov. 27.
The company allegedly violated the Los Angeles Living Wage Ordinance (LWO), according to the lawsuit, when it allegedly continued paying workers at rates that had been agreed to under a prior collective bargaining agreement, after the CBA expired in February.
"The LWO was enacted to address the low wages typically paid to service employees who provide essential services that affect the City’s interests, leaving them with 'insufficient resources to afford life in Los Angeles.'” the lawsuit states. "The LWO further recognizes that, 'airline catering workers often struggle to pay their bills, sometimes having to choose between paying medical bills and buying food for their families.'”
Since February 1, Flying Food Group has "failed to pay workers in its kitchen facility in Inglewood ... at rates that comply with the LWO," the suit states. "FFG knows it is in violation of the law but has refused to comply despite numerous complaints from workers."
The Flying Food workers have been represented by a union, Unite Here Local 11 since 2016, the lawsuit states.
The CBA between the company and the workers expired Feb. 1, the suit states. Under that agreement, the company was allowed to pay workers less for health insurance than required by the Living Wage Ordinance, according to the suit. With no new agreement in place, the company should pay workers the higher amount required by the LWO, the suit maintains.
The lawsuit seeks damages, restitution and legal fees.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Lauren Teukolsky, of Teukolsky Law APC, of {Pasadena, and Alyssa Peterson, of Unite Here Local 11, of L.A.
Torres v. Flying Food Group LL, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, 2:23-cv-09980-SB-MRW