Bullock
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) - The attorneys general of Montana, New York and New Jersey have announced their intent to sue FedEx Ground Package System, Inc., for violating state labor laws.
In a letter sent by Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock, New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo and New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram, FedEx Ground is alleged to have misclassified drivers as independent contractors, which are not protected by anti-discrimination laws, labor relations laws and other laws meant to protect workers in New York, Montana and New Jersey.
"This is an issue of fairness," Bullock said. "By classifying their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, FedEx Ground is denying the drivers rights and protections afforded to all workers in our state."
The investigation revealed that FedEx Ground controls all aspects of work by the so-called independent contractors doing pick-up and delivery, including giving the workers almost no discretion as to the hours they work.
Bullock said that drivers were the "backbone" of the business and that "they should not have to give up the protections they are guaranteed just so FedEx Ground can circumvent our laws."