Judge Rejects Overtime Lawsuit by UPS Supervisors

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PS Inc. said a class-action lawsuit brought by supervisors in California was dismissed Aug. 23 because the court found the mangers do not qualify for overtime pay.

U.S. District Judge Dean Pregerson in Los Angeles granted UPS’ motion for summary judgment, UPS spokeswoman Heather Robinson told Transport Topics Thursday.

UPS said it proved that its supervisors spend the majority of their time performing exempt managerial tasks. The ruling was filed in federal court.

The ruling is "very significant case in employment law,” Robinson said.

“It defines for employers the evidence it takes to support the exempt status of supervisors. We are pleased our position was affirmed,” she said. “These employees are an essential part of the management team and we trust them to make important decisions on a daily basis.”

Bloomberg News reported the lawsuit represented about 1,200 current and former supervisors who had accused UPS of violating California labor law by not providing overtime pay and meal breaks.

UPS showed that the supervisors fell under an exemption the law makes for executive and administrative employees because, among other things, they are required to use independent judgment in "matters of consequence," the ruling said.