SALINAS, CA - A Monterey County Superior Court Judge has ruled in a class-action suit in favor of workers under the United Farm Workers of America (UFW), declaring that the UFW owes $1.2 million in unpaid overtime and other penalties.

The case includes about 160 current and former UFW employees, according to a statement released by Western Growers, in which Superior Court Judge Thomas Wills found their employer failed to pay overtime and meal periods.

Originally filed in 2014 by former UFW organizer Francisco Cerritos, charges to be paid by the organization include:

• $50,995 in overtime wages and $14,269.32 to be awarded to Mr. Cerritos in premium wages for meal period violations
• $119,600 awarded to class members for violations under Labor Code Section 226 for the UFW’s failure to include the pay period dates on wage statements
• Nearly $1 million awarded in Private Attorneys General Act of 2014 (“PAGA”) penalties

The plaintiffs are represented by Michael Masuda, Ana Toledo, and Lindsey Berg-James with the Salinas-based law firm of Noland, Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss., and the release noted that there are “substantial, yet to be determined” amounts the UFW must also pay to cover Noland, Hamerly’s attorneys’ fees.

The UFW said it that it will appeal the Judge Wills’ decision. AndNowUKnow will report on this story as it develops further.