SEATTLE, May 27, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Attorney Advertising. Keller Rohrback L.L.P. (www.krclassaction.com) announces that the U.S. District Court of Arizona recently granted Plaintiff's Motion for Conditional Class Certification in a lawsuit involving Store Managers at AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) (Taylor, Khan, Glover-Hale, and Montoya et al. v. AutoZoners LLC and AutoZone, Inc. Case No. 10-cv-01828/ 10-cv-01825). This suit seeks to recover unpaid overtime compensation and other benefits of employment to which the Store Managers are entitled under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The Store Managers are improperly classified as "executives" exempt from the FLSA's overtime requirements. In granting conditional class certification, the district court found that Plaintiffs put forward sufficient evidence that all store managers must "perform similar duties pursuant to identical job descriptions, and that there exists a high degree of uniformity of operations across stores."
Keller Rohrback's investigation of AutoZone Store Managers' job duties reveals that the position involves minimal managerial tasks and thus should not be classified as "executive." Most of the tasks are the same as those of non-exempt employees, such as operating the cash register, stocking merchandise in accordance with AutoZone's detailed plans, and serving customers. On average, the Store Managers spend less than 10% of their time on managerial duties. Store Managers are closely supervised by AutoZone District Managers, with frequent phone calls and other communications that provide detailed instructions on what to accomplish in the store and how. Tellingly, AutoZone store managers in California are considered non-exempt employees and paid on an hourly basis, and receive overtime like other AutoZone store employees.
Class members who wish to pursue unpaid wages will be able to join this lawsuit by "opting in." Under the court's order, Plaintiffs' counsel will mail notice of the FLSA lawsuit and an opt-in form to all AutoZone store managers employed anywhere in the United States except California since July 16, 2007. The notice and opt-in form will be mailed by early July 2011 at the latest, and class members can expect to receive the mailing shortly thereafter. Class members will then have 60 days to join the lawsuit.
Keller Rohrback looks forward to vindicating the statutory rights of current and former AutoZone Store Managers who choose to join this lawsuit. If you are a current or former Store Manager at AutoZone and have questions regarding this litigation, you may contact paralegals Elise Bigley or Sara Duncan, or attorneys David Copley or Lynn Sarko toll free at (800) 776-6044, or via e-mail at info@kellerrohrback.com.
Keller Rohrback is one of America's leading class action firms, handling cases for over two decades. We are committed to protecting employees' rights and seeking redress for corporate misdeeds that interfere with or violate these rights. Keller Rohrback serves as lead or co-lead counsel in numerous class action cases, including cases against some of the biggest and most powerful corporations in the world. Keller Rohrback's trial lawyers have obtained judgments and settlements on behalf of clients in excess of seven billion dollars.
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