Cicairos v. Summit Logistics, Inc., 133 Cal. App. 4th 949 (2005)

In this case, five truck drivers/members of the Teamsters Union, sued their former employer for violations of the Labor Code and the Industrial Welfare Commission orders relating to meal periods, rest breaks and itemized wage statements. The trial court dismissed the action based on the motor carrier exemption. The Court of Appeal reversed the trial court, holding that the motor carrier exemption only applies to overtime provisions and not to the claims asserted in this case. The Court further held that the plaintiffs’ collective bargaining agreement did not bar them from asserting claims in state court relating to meal periods and rest breaks. Further, the Court concluded that the employer failed to prove that it gave plaintiffs adequately itemized wage statements or required meal and rest breaks – even though plaintiffs “were constantly on the road.”