Blue Diamond Dodges Almond Workers’ Wage, Breaks Claims, for Now

Blue Diamond Growers Inc. convinced a federal judge in California to dismiss Fair Labor Standards Act and California wage and hour claims brought by a group of workers at its almond processing plants.

The workers failed to allege the kind of specific facts and details needed to advance their claims alleging Blue Diamond required them to work off the clock, denied them overtime, and deprived them of uninterrupted meal and rest breaks, Judge Jennifer L. Thurston said Wednesday.

The workers claimed they weren’t paid minimum wages for the unrecorded, off-the-clock time they spent donning and doffing protective equipment before and ...