Pasadena Public Works trash trucks collect garbage and yard waste on October 10, 2008 in Pasadena, California. ; Credit: David McNew/Getty Images
The L.A. City Council moved ahead with plans to end an 8-year class action lawsuit over garbage-truck driver breaks, to the tune of $26 million, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The settlement comes after a long battle over restrictions placed on drivers breaks. To avoid the misconception that drivers were sleeping on the job, trash truck drivers were forbidden from napping during their breaks. Drivers were also prohibited from congregating near restaurants or parking in groups.
In his interview with David Zahniser, Matthew Taylor, the lawyer representing the drivers, argues that because their breaks were employer-controlled, they should have been paid for that time. Some City Council members, including Councilman Paul Krekorian argue that seeing a large group of garbage trucks or a sleeping city worker would be “an affront” to constituents. The settlement, backpay for nine years of breaks for over 1,000 drivers, averages about $15,000 per person.
Should garbage truck drivers be allowed to do whatever they want on their breaks? How should they be compensated? what’s appropriate behavior in these circumstances?
Guests:
David Zahniser, LA Times reporter covering Los Angeles City Hall, local government
Michael Waterstone, Associate Dean for Research and Academic Centers, J. Howard Ziemann Fellow and Professor of Law at Loyola Law School