Kraft/Oscar Mayer employees in Madison could receive as much as $5 million in back pay and have a shorter work week as a result of a federal appeals court ruling Monday, a union leader said.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Chicago, upheld a decision by U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb that said the workers are entitled to be paid for the time they spend "donning and doffing" - putting on and taking off - special clothing or safety gear they are required to wear on the job.

Kathi Smith, one of four Kraft/Oscar Mayer employees named as plaintiffs in the case, said Monday she is happy about the appeals court ruling and surprised, since the lawsuit, filed in 2007, has dragged on.

Smith said it takes her about 15 minutes a day to put on and take off a hair net, smock, hard hat and steel-toed shoes for her job packaging turkey slices. "It's time spent actually preparing for work. Any time work is involved, we should be paid for that," Smith said. (click on link to read full story)