California’s Metal Container (MCC) Faces a PAGA-Only Action Claiming Violations

In a recent PAGA-Only action, Metal Container, a California product packaging service provider, faces allegations of labor code violations.

The Case: John Dedet v. Metal Container (MCC) LP

The Court: Los Angeles County Superior Court

The Case No.: CVRI2405838

The Plaintiff: John Dedet v. Metal Container (MCC) LP

The plaintiff, John Dedet, worked for Metal Container (MCC) from July 2021 through June 2024 as an hourly nonexempt employee. As a nonexempt hourly employee, Dedet was entitled to labor law protections, including minimum wage requirements, overtime pay regulations, mandatory meal breaks and rest periods, and more.

The Defendant: John Dedet v. Metal Container (MCC) LP

The defendant, Metal Container (MCC) LP, is a California company and employer that provides product packaging services throughout the state—according to the plaintiff, Dedet, Metal Container (MCC) LP failed to provide their workers with meal breaks and rest breaks mandated by labor law. Failing to comply with rest period and meal break requirments often leads to additional violations. In this case, the plaintiff claims the standard practice allegedly meant lost wages for workers.

The Allegations: John Dedet v. Metal Container (MCC) LP

Dedet claims that Metal Container engaged in several labor law violations that were connected to their standard operating processes. The PAGA-Only action alleges violations of Labor Code § 2699 and California Labor Code §§ 201-203, 204, 210, 218, 221, 226(a), 226.7, 227.3, 246, 510, 512, 558(a)(1)(2), 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, 2100, and 2802.

What's the Definition of California's PAGA-Only Action?

In California, employees have the right to initiate a lawsuit under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), which serves as a tool for the state to uphold labor laws via employees who act on behalf of the state's labor enforcement agencies. A PAGA-only lawsuit primarily serves as a regulatory measure to safeguard public interests, not for the personal gain of any individual. Instead of pursuing personal damages or restitution, this type of action empowers an employee to act as a private enforcer of the California Labor Code, effectively granting them the role of a private attorney general.

The Case: John Dedet v. Metal Container (MCC) LP

In John Dedet v. Metal Container (MCC) LP, the plaintiff filed a PAGA-Only action currently pending in the Riverside County Superior Court.

If you have questions about filing a California PAGA-Only action, don't hesitate to get in touch with Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik DeBlouw LLP. Knowledgeable employment law attorneys are ready to assist you in various law firm offices in Riverside, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Chicago.