Apple is Being Sued For Violating Labor Laws...And the Trial Could Impact Over 20,000 People

2017 marks the tenth anniversary of the iPhone and rumors about the capabilities of the products's next incarnation have already captivated certain segments of the internet. However, Apple enthusiasts might be unaware of a lawsuit filed against the company that just hit court last month. The allegations involve thousands of people, including many who might not even realize that they're of the legal battle.

The lawsuit, "Felczer vs. Apple, Inc", commenced on October 18.. The proposed class includes every single Apple worker that was employed between Dec. 16, 2007 and Oct. 18, 2016. The trial began almost two years after the company's appeal for dismissal was denied. The case started in 2011 when four employees claimed that Apple violated California's labor laws by failing to provide breaks and meal times. California's Labor Code requires a 30-minute break if employees work more than five hours and a 10-minute break for every four hours a person works.

The employees also claimed that the company didn't supply wages at the correct time and issued inaccurate wage statements.

The complaint was elevated to class action status in 2014. After changing the status of the complaint, California Superior Court Judge Ronald Prager explained his reasoning: "Rather than having over 20,995 separate lawsuits or Labor Commissioner hearings regarding the same claims alleged in this action, a class action allows all individual actions to be resolved once on behalf of all claimants."

In other words, if the suit is successful, the settlement would be paid out evenly to every class member. Over 20,000 of them.

You can read the entire complaint at Scribd.