USA: Pyramid Breweries settles California rest-break case for $1.3 million

Pyramid Breweries Inc. said it has settled a case brought by former employees of its three California brew pubs, alleging that the Seattle company did not allow them adequate rest and meal breaks, for $1.3 million, East Bay Business Times published April 8.

The case was settled by mediation, the brewer said in an SEC filing.

In the lawsuit, former employees at Pyramid's Sacramento, Berkeley and Walnut Creek, alehouses claimed they were denied adequate opportunity to take meal and rest breaks as required by California law. As part of the settlement, certain nonexempt "front of the house" and "back of the house" restaurant workers, who were employed at the alehouses between April 30, 2003, and Sept. 30, 2007, will share in the $1.3 million settlement, which becomes effective when approved by the Superior Court in Sacramento.

Pyramid also operates alehouses in Seattle and in Portland, Ore.

09 April, 2008