A representative action lawsuit under California's controversial Private Attorneys General Act has accused a Native-owned government services firm, Katmai Technical Services, of alleged violations of California labor law.
The lawsuit was initially filed in San Diego County Superior Court in December, but was removed to San Diego federal court on March 1.
Named plaintiff, Charles Guzman, identified only as a California resident who worked for Katmai, alleges that the company allegedly systematically violated wage and hour laws; allegedly failed to provide lawful meal periods or compensation in lieu thereof; allegedly did not authorize or permit lawful rest breaks or provide compensation in lieu thereof; allegedly failed to reimburse necessary business-related costs; allegedly did not provide accurate itemized wage statements; allegedly failed to pay wages timely during employment; and allegedly did not pay all wages due upon separation of employment.
The lawsuit was filed under the PAGA law, which allows individual employees to essentially stand in place of California state labor officials in suing their employers for alleged violations of California labor law. Critics have noted the PAGA law has resulted in thousands of lawsuits against employers, generating windfall fees for the lawyers who bring the actions and civil penalties for the state, while generating relatively little actual benefit for workers.
Guzman is represented in the action by attorneys Samuel A. Wong, Kashif Haque, Jessica L. Campbell and Kristy R. Connolly, of Aegis Law Firm, of Irvine.