A federal class-action lawsuit was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City claiming Electrolux Home Products failed to pay overtime to workers at the now-closed Webster City plant. West Des Moines attorney Bob Goplerud filed the lawsuit for a group of hourly production workers who worked at the plant during the final three years of operation.
The lawsuit stated that Electrolux required its employees to arrive at the plant 15 minutes before the start of their shifts but the company never paid them for that time. In addition the lawsuit seeks unpaid back wages, liquidated damages and attorney’s fees for the workers.
Goplerud said the more than 2,000 former employees may be owed “millions of dollars” as a result of the suit filed on Wednesday. The lawsuit also claims that Electrolux violated the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act and the Iowa Wage Payment Statute. There has been no comment by Electrolux officials on the lawsuit.
Electrolux Home Products closed the Webster City washer and dryer facility on March 31st of this year when the production of the appliances was moved to Juarez, Mexico.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City