Dairy Workers File Class Action Suit Against DeRuyter Brothers

Two dairy workers have filed a class-action lawsuit against DeRuyter Brothers Dairy in Outlook.

The suit says that Jose Martinez-Cuevas and Patricia Aguilar worked 9-12 hour shifts six days a week without paid rest breaks, meal periods or overtime pay.

The complaint also targets a state statute that excludes some ag workers from Washington’s overtime law.

Lori Isley, who’s representing the workers, said, “The exclusion of agricultural workers from overtime pay violates the privileges and immunities clause of the Washington State Constitution by giving special treatment to agricultural employers and discriminating against Latino farm workers.”

The suit was filed in Yakima County Superior Court.

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