Federal judge: Wal-Mart violated state minimum wage laws

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. may soon be soon be forced to part with $100 million in back pay to California truck drivers following a federal judge’s ruling in May.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston ruled the company failed to pay drivers for activities that included inspecting and washing their trucks.

The drivers, who are paid based on mileage and specific activities rather than hourly rates, said Wal-Mart did not duly compensate them for layovers and did not pay them at all for tasks including weighing tractor-trailers and completing mandatory paperwork.

Despite arguments from the company’s representation that drivers are paid for activities including those tasks, Judge Illston said because the activities are not compensated separately, they cannot be included in tasks paid for by the company.

The case will go before a jury April 2016 to determine damages.

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