Zavala v. Resource Staffing, Inc.

What Is The Lawsuit About?

This lawsuit claimed that Defendants Resource Staffing, Inc. and Pactiv Packaging, Inc. improperly took deductions from employees’ pay by charging “Placement Fees” from the earnings of the employees in violation of California law, for the time period of December 24, 2008 through March 18, 2014. Specifically, Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint (a copy of which is below) states:

15. Defendant RSI is an employment agency, staffing service and recruitment company which, among other things, is in the business of placing persons seeking employment into positions with various companies located throughout California. Upon placing a prospective employee into a position of employment, defendant RSI maintains a practice of deducting a “placement fee” from said employees wages earned. These deductions are taken from the initial pay periods of the successfully-placed employee. 

Plaintiff alleged that Defendants Resource Staffing, Inc. and Pactive Packaging, Inc. were her joint employers and, therefore, both jointly liable.

If you believe you qualify to be a class member or would like more information about this class action lawsuit, reach out to Strauss & Strauss, APC by calling (805) 303-8115 or contacting us online today.

Why Is This A Class Action?

This case is a class action. In a class action, one or more people, called Class Representatives (in this case, Leticia Zavala), sue on behalf of people who have similar claims. All these people are a Class or Class Members. One case resolves the issues for all Class Members, except for those who exclude themselves from the Class. The court in charge of this case is Kern County Superior Court, and the case is known as Zavala v. Resource Staffing, Inc., et al., Case No. S-1500-CV-278358 LHB.

Did The Case Settle?

Yes, the case settled.

Why Is There A Settlement?

The Court did not decide in favor of Plaintiff or Defendants. The Plaintiff thinks she could have won at trial. Defendants think the Plaintiff would not have won anything. But there was no trial. Instead, both sides agreed to a settlement. That way, they avoid the cost of litigation, and the people affected will get compensation. The Class Representative and the attorneys think the settlement is best for the Class Members.

Who Is Part Of The Settlement?

Everyone who fits this description is a Class Member:

All current and former employees of Resource Staffing, Inc. (“RSI”) and any joint employer(s), including but not limited to Pactiv Packaging, Inc. (“Pactiv”), during the period of December 24, 2008 and through the preliminary approval, who work or worked in California, and paid RSI, through a payroll deduction, any money or other valuable consideration for accepting employment with RSI and/or who were not paid for the attendance of any employment orientation programs at the commencement of their employment.

What Does The Settlement Provide?

Defendants have agreed to pay $440,000.00 (“Maximum Settlement Amount”), out of which will be paid (a) approximately $ $254,800.00 to Class Members who can be located and who do not exclude themselves from the settlement; (b) Claims Administrator Costs not to exceed $15,000.00; (c) an enhancement to Plaintiff Anita May not to exceed $7,500.00 (“Service Payment”); (d) Class Counsel’s attorney’s fees not to exceed $145,000.00; and (e) Class Counsel’s litigation costs not to exceed $10,00.00. A payment of $7,500.00 also will be made to the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, a state agency that assists with workforce oversight and enforcement of labor laws. Class Counsel’s attorney’s fees and costs and Plaintiff’s Service Payment remain subject to Court approval.