The United States District Court for the Central District of California has given its final approval to the class action settlement in this case. Class member settlement checks will be issued on January 27, 2012.
The United States District Court for the Central District of California has preliminarily approved a class action settlement in this case. The official website regarding the settlement is http://www.tssisettlement.com/. The Court has entered an Order certifying this lawsuit as a class and defined the Settlement Class as individuals who performed services as role players, foreign language specialists, civilians on the battlefield and the like (whatever the job title), whether as independent contractors or professionals, exempt or non-exempt employees, at the US Marine Corps Base at Twentynine Palms, California, or at any other site pursuant to contract between Tatitlek Support Services, Inc. and the United States Marine Corps between November 6, 2004 and January 24, 2011. The deadline to file a Claim is June 22, 2011. You may file a claim by at the official website regarding the settlement is http://www.tssisettlement.com/ Below are some answers to frequently ask questions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What is this lawsuit about?
The lawsuit alleges that Tatitlek Support Services, Inc. (“TSSI”) initially improperly classified individuals as independent contractors and thereafter as salaried exempt employees (instead of non-exempt hourly employees) and, accordingly, failed to pay them overtime in violation of Federal and California law and otherwise failed to comply with California’s wage and hour laws applicable to non-exempt hourly employees. Plaintiffs further allege that TSSI breached oral employment contracts with individuals. TSSI denies any and all of the allegations made by Plaintiffs in the Litigation. - Why did I receive this Notice?
There is now pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, a class action and TSSI’s employment records indicate that you are a member of the Settlement Class. - What is the description of the Class?
All persons who performed services as role players, foreign language specialists, civilians on the battlefield and the like, whatever the job title, whether as independent contractors or professionals, exempt or non-exempt employees, at the United States Marine Corps base located at Twentynine Palms, California or at any other site pursuant to contract between Tatitlek Support Services, Inc. (“TSSI”) and the United States Marine Corps between November 6, 2004 and January 24, 2011. - What are my options?
You can file a claim and receive a Settlement Award. You can dispute the employment information in the claim form. You can exclude yourself from the Settlement and Class. You will be excluded from the Settlement Class, will not receive a settlement award, and will not be bound by the settlement. You can do nothing. If you do nothing, you will be bound by the settlement agreement and you will not receive any money from the Settlement Fund. You can object to the Settlement. - What are the settlement benefits for Class Members?
The Settlement Fund is in the amount of Two Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($2,400,000.00). After other expenses are deducted from the fund, the Net Settlement Fund is estimated to be $1,635,000.00. The distribution will occur on a pro-rata basis based on the number of days worked by each Settlement Class member. - How do I file a Claim?
You may complete, sign, and return the Claim Form that was enclosed in the Notice packet mailed to you by the filing deadline of June 22, 2011. Alternatively, you may use the official website regarding the settlement — http://www.tssisettlement.com/ to file a claim, by following the instructions after selecting the File Claim tab in the upper right hand menu. - What if I disagree with the either the Number of Days Worked or the Last Day Worked?
If you dispute the Number of Days Worked or Last Day Worked, you must provide documentation (such as pay stubs) showing the different number of days you worked. - What if I want to exclude myself from this Class Action?
To be excluded, you must timely deliver a written request for exclusion to the Claims Administrator postmarked no later than June 22, 2011. Such request must refer to John Joseph Saint John, Julio Cesar Flores, Antonio Aguilar v. Tatitlek Support Services, Inc., Tatitlek/Force Preparedness Training Services, Inc., et al., U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Case No. ED CV08-01909 JZ (RZx), provide the name, address, telephone number and last four digits of the social security number of the person requesting exclusion, and clearly state that such person requests exclusion from the Settlement Class. If you request exclusion, you will be responsible for handling your own case (to the extent the statute of limitations does not bar the prosecution of your claims in a new lawsuit) and/or securing your own legal representation. - What if I want to file an Objection with the Court?
You may object to this settlement by delivering a written statement objecting to the settlement to the Claims Administrator at the address noted above, and attorneys for both no later than September 30, 2011. Such objection must refer to John Joseph Saint John, Julio Cesar Flores, Antonio Aguilar v. Tatitlek Support Services, Inc., Tatitlek/Force Preparedness Training Services, Inc., et al., U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Case No. ED CV08-01909 JZ (RZx), provide the name, address, telephone number and last four digits of the social security number of the person objecting, and clearly state why you object to the settlement and whether you intend to appear at the Final Settlement Approval Hearing. You may not object to this settlement if you exclude yourself from the Settlement Class. You must still submit a Claim Form if you wish to participate in the settlement, even if you object. - Who are the attorneys representing the Class?
HELMER • FRIEDMAN, LLP
723 Ocean Front Walk
Culver City, California 90291
Telephone: (310) 396-7714
Facsimile: (310) 396-9215
E-Mail: info@helmerfriedman.com
www.helmerfriedman.com
THE COWAN LAW FIRM
Jeffrey W. Cowan (S.B. # 157474)
1541 Ocean Avenue, Suite 200
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Telephone: (310) 394-1420
Facsimile: (310) 394-1430
E-Mail: jeffrey@cowan-law.com
www.cowan-law.com
- Who are the attorneys representing the Defendant?
BROWN GITT LAW GROUP, LLP
Thomas P. Brown IV and Sherry B. Shavit
300 North Lake Avenue, Suite 200
Pasadena, California 91101
Telephone: (626) 229-1919
Facsimile: (626) 229-1917
E-mail: sshavit@browngitt.com - When and where is the Final Approval Hearing?
A Final Settlement Approval Hearing is scheduled at the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, located at 312 N Spring St #G8, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2095, on October 21 2011, at 10:30 a.m.