Truckers’ Wage and Hour Class Action May Stay in Federal Court

Swift Transportation Co. of Arizona can litigate a wage and hour class action filed on behalf of truck drivers in federal court rather than state court.

The Aug. 8 decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit expands on an April decision that broadened the number of class actions that can be heard by federal courts, which are usually seen as more employer-friendly.

Under the Class Action Fairness Act, companies defending class actions can remove a lawsuit filed in state court to federal court if the amount of money involved is at least $5 million. In calculating ...