A California court recently ruled in favor of truck drivers seeking paid breaks under a class action lawsuit against Penske trucking company.
Under California law, all companies must allow employees a paid 10 minute break every four hours, and a 30 minute meal break every five hours.
However, due to the federal deregulation of the trucking industry, which blocked states from enforcing laws “related to a price, route or service of any motor carrier”, many companies got away with refusing to provide paid breaks.
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in California recently ruled in favor of 349 drivers in this class action suit.
Judge Susan Graber defended the decision by saying the state law that requires paid breaks for employees does not “set prices, mandate or prohibit certain routes, or tell motor carriers what services they may or may not provide,” therefore companies must pay up and are not excluded under deregulation.
This ruling applies to drivers working and making deliveries within California. It does not apply to interstate business.
Penske said they were considering an appeal and are disappointed with the ruling.
