It’s a battle for overtime pay.
A woman shares with Action 4 News, a federal lawsuit she filed to get the wages she say she deserves.
This woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, and we'll call “Maria” tells us she worked at Monterrey Tortilleria in Brownsville for about a year.
She claims she was asked to work more than 70 hours a week, six days a week, on a fixed salary.
At the time, “Maria” admits she knew she wasn't getting the pay she deserved but worked anyway, because she needed the money.
But, she claims she constantly spoke to the manager about her pay, after no action was taken, “Maria” decided to quit her job and join in the wages lawsuit.
Elliot Tucker, an attorney with the South Texas Civil Rights Project, who is representing “Maria” and another woman says the lawsuit has already been filed and they are in contact with the other party’s lawyer.
They are trying to reach an agreement. If no agreement is reached, Monterrey Tortilleria has 20 days to file a response with the court.
This will determine if they continue with further negotiations or head to court.
Tucker adds that no one should feel intimidated to report complaints against employers.
In the lawsuit, “Maria” is asking for eight thousand dollars in back pay owed to her. She says for the hours she worked and was not compensated.
Action 4 News speaking to Jose Angel Frias, the alleged owner of Monterrey Tortilleria, several times, but we were told he was not available
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