 991238 Perdue Responds to Poultry Worker LawsuitDecember 20, 1999 Washington - Perdue Farms “vehemently” denied allegations they violated Maryland state wage laws. Seven Perdue poultry workers, with jobs ranging from cutting up chicken to packaging the meat for sale, filed the lawsuit accusing the Maryland-based company of forcing them to set up and clean up without being paid. “Perdue Farms vehemently denies this claim. Perdue farms has a proven record of fair and equitable treatment of our associates and adheres to the requirements of all Wage and Hour laws and the Fair Labor Standards Act,” the company said in a statement. The company claims the complaints and lawsuit originate not from their own workers but from external organizations with an agenda. “The lawsuit was initiated and announced by the United Food and Commercial Worker's union, and is not an independent action by our associates. This is a continuation of the UFCW's 20-year effort to organize our workforce,” the company added. Workers claim that not only did they not receive wages or overtime for set- up and clean-up time, but that Perdue did not contribute to their retirement accounts for those hours worked while not on the clock. The lawsuit claims Perdue violated state wage laws in Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland and North Carolina, all states where Perdue operates.
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