Apple to face labor related class-action suit after court denies motion to dismiss

A three-judge panel in California's Superior Court recently denied Apple's appeal to throw out a class-action lawsuit lodged by current and former employees who claim the company's treatment of workers violate state labor codes.

According to court documents obtained by PC Mag, Apple's motion to dismiss a class-action suit involving more than 20,000 employees claiming California Labor Code violations has been denied.

"The petition for writ of mandate, informal response, and reply have been read and considered by Justices Nares, McDonald, and O'Rourke. The petition is denied," said an order from the Superior Court of Appeal in San Diego dated Nov. 26.

The lawsuit was initially brought to court in 2011 by former Apple Store employee Brandon Felczer, who alleges he was not granted appropriate break time, meal time and timely paychecks. Also named as plaintiffs on the original complaint are Ryan Goldman, Ramsey Hawkins and Joseph Lane Carc. In July, Apple Store and corporate Apple employees were certified class status, opening eligibility to thousands of workers.

At the time, plaintiffs' counsel Tyler Belong said, "In other words, as of yesterday's ruling, Apple now faces claims of meal period, rest period and final pay violations affecting approximately 20,000 current and former Apple employees."

An ex parte hearing is set for Dec. 9, while the case docket currently shows a civil hearing scheduled for April 2015. The class has not yet put a number on remedial monetary demands, though attorneys are seeking damages and restitution of all monies due to plaintiffs from unlawful business practices as pursuant to ten California Labor Code sections.