The U.S. Department of Labor announced the filing of a consent judgment in a case against CEMEX Inc. and the recovery of $1,514,449 in overtime back wages for 1,705 current and former ready-mix drivers who worked in eight states.  "Ensuring that workers are paid their full wages is a top priority of this department," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This legal action involving more than $1.5 million in back wages for more than 1,700 employees is intended to ensure that the company complies with federal overtime laws now and in the future. Earning overtime pay is how many Americans make ends meet, even though working long hours often means significant sacrifices for workers and their families."

CEMEX is the United States' largest supplier of cement and ready-mix concrete, as well as an important producer of aggregates, concrete blocks and other building materials. Based on 2008 company information, CEMEX is comprised of 18 cement plants either wholly or partially owned, 536 ready-mix plants, 102 aggregates quarries, 43 land distribution centers and 11 marine terminals.

The Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division began a local investigation in Tampa, Fla., which disclosed systemic overtime violations resulting from the employer's failure to compensate "pay-per-load" employees with premium pay for hours that they worked more than 40 in a workweek. The investigation was then expanded to cover affected CEMEX employees in Arizona, California, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. After conducting employee interviews and reviewing time and payroll records, the department's Dallas regional solicitor of labor filed a complaint with the court Sept. 11, 2008. (click on link to read full story)