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3 security guards at schools file lawsuit
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Posted on Mar 01 2009
Three security guards assigned at schools have filed a lawsuit in federal court against a security agency for allegedly refusing to pay them regular time and overtime, and conducting illegal deductions.
Jessie Z. Vasquez, Nestor B. Dalo, and Rogelio E. Gallega sued the Triple K Corp. that owns Global Security Agency for violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and breach of contract.
Vasquez, Dalo, and Gallega asked the U.S. District Court for the NMI to order Triple K pay them the unpaid regular time, overtime pay, damages, attorney’s fees, and court costs.
Saipan Tribune contacted the Global Security Agency yesterday to get their side, but the manager refused to comment.
Attorney Bruce Berline, counsel for plaintiffs, stated in the complaint that in 2006, Triple K hired the three to work as security guards.
Vasquez worked until September 2008, while Dalo until January 2009. Gallega was still employed with Triple K as of the filing of the lawsuit last week.
Berline said the three worked as security guards primarily at the various schools located on Saipan, but also provided security services to other places as well.
The lawyer said the contract executed between Triple K and each security guard provided for payment of wages at a rate of $3.05 per hour.
FLSA requires employers to pay a federal minimum wage of $3.55 per hour beginning July 25, 2007. Starting May 26, 2008, the federal minimum wage was $4.05 an hour.
Berline said his clients were required to pay for certain fees related to the yearly renewal of their employment application/contract such as fees for entry permit processing, job vacancy announcements, bonding, and worker’s compensation insurance.
Berline said the security guards were also required to pay for their physical examination and medical certification required for their employment.
He said the security guards have not been property compensated for their regular time or overtime.
