Local business icon Herbert G. Chambers and The Herb Chambers Companies are currently facing class action lawsuits alleging the failure to pay hundreds of employees overtime and premium wages as required by Massachusetts law. These legal challenges come shortly after the announcement of the sale of The Herb Chambers Companies and nearly all of its dealerships in New England for $1.34B. Richardson & Cumbo, LLP, a law firm specializing in labor and employment law, has brought one of these lawsuits on behalf of finance managers who claim they were not compensated for overtime and work on Sundays and holidays.
According to court documents and Attorney Robert Richardson, the defendants argue they are not the employers of the class members, thus not obligated to pay the claimed wages. This stance, if upheld, could significantly limit the defendants' liability, affecting hundreds of employees. However, the plaintiff contends that evidence, including the recent billion-dollar sale and public representations of a workforce exceeding 2,000, supports their claim that The Herb Chambers Companies are indeed their employers.
This is not the first legal challenge for Chambers and his companies. A 2019 class action lawsuit on behalf of sales associates was settled, and a recent court decision affirmed that The Herb Chambers Companies was the employer of a service advisor at one of their dealerships. Despite these precedents, the defendants maintain their position in the current lawsuits.
Attorney Richardson criticized the defendants' argument as disingenuous, especially in light of the recent sale and the public's widespread recognition of Chambers and his companies. He expressed hope that Chambers would rectify the situation by paying the owed wages, emphasizing the importance of these earnings for the employees and their families.
For more information on the legal proceedings, visit https://www.rcllphcclassaction.com.
