LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- A trial has been ordered for next month in a class-action lawsuit against Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. over wages at its Schuyler meatpacking plant.
Former Cargill workers sued last year, saying hourly employees spend a substantial amount of time each day on work duties without getting paid. Those duties include dressing in protective gear, sanitizing tools, and walking to and from work stations.
The former workers say federal law requires the company to pay for preparation and cleanup time.
Cargill denies any wrongdoing and says the union contract specifically excludes that time from paid time.
The trial is set to begin Dec. 13 in U.S. District Court in Lincoln.
Similar lawsuits are pending against other Nebraska meatpackers.
