The Herald and Law360 Quote Adam Belzberg on Farm Worker Class Action over Unpaid Wages

Stoel Rives attorney Adam Belzberg was quoted in The Herald of Everett, Washington, in an article titled “Workers seek back pay from Snohomish blueberry farm” and in Law360 in an article titled “Immigrants Hit Blueberry Farm With Class Action Over Wages.” The articles discuss a class-action suit filed on behalf of some 35 immigrant farm workers in King County Superior Court against Golden Eagle Farms, a Canadian berry grower that owns hundreds of acres in Washington state. The workers allege the labor contractor hired by Golden Eagle failed to pay the workers wages they were due in 2014 and didn’t fully follow labor laws.

The workers are suing Golden Eagle for damages, unpaid wages, attorney fees and $500 per violation for each person, arguing Golden Eagle is responsible.

Belzberg, who represents Golden Eagle, said the farm gave the contractor, who has since disappeared, money to pay the workers. “This guy ripped everybody off and split,” Belzberg said. “The farm and the workers are pretty much the victim of a dishonest contractor.”

Read “Workers seek back pay from Snohomish blueberry farm,” published June 18, 2015, and “Immigrants Hit Blueberry Farm With Class Action Over Wages,” published June 22, 2015. (Subscription required.)