Casey’s Sued by Cooks, Cashiers

Ankeny, Iowa Already facing lawsuits from managers claiming not to have been paid overtime, convenience store chain Casey's General Stores Inc. now faces a new lawsuit in federal court, by cooks and cashiers making similar claims.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court on Monday said Casey's wrongfully denied overtime pay and wages to current and former Casey's hourly employees. It alleges that Casey's violated federal and state law by working cooks and cashiers off-the-clock to avoid paying overtime wages as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act and state laws.

Court documents allege about 20,000 employees are included in the class and said claims exceed $5 million.

The workers say they were asked to perform tasks before and after their shifts, including cleaning, counting the cash register and selling items to customers. They also claim they were denied mandatory meal and rest breaks.

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and unpaid back wages, liquidated damages allowed under federal labor statutes, certification of class action and equitable relief as permitted under individual state laws.