Former Verizon employees file class action over unpaid work

MARTINSBURG - Former employees of a Verizon call center in Martinsburg have filed a class action lawsuit.

The suit, filed March 1 by Patricia Chambers, Jeffrey Jolles and Jodi McGowan, in Berkeley Circuit Court, seeks compensation for personal time hours, which were not paid. More than 100 employees are covered in the class.

The Verizon center ceased operation on Dec. 7, 2006. On April 5, 2006, personal time hours were earned, accrued and to be paid to employees pursuant to Aerotek's attendance policy, the suit says.

Employees who had accumulated personal hours were not paid for the unused hours, except in a few isolated cases.

On Feb. 23, 2007, Aerotek began issuing checks to former employees for unused personal time, however they did not pay liquidated damages or interest, the suit says.

The suit, through attorney David Hammer, seeks that the class be paid liquidated damages, interest and court fees.

Berkeley Circuit Court case number 07-C-186