MINOT, N.D. — An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found that load operators at three Watco Terminal & Port Services’ locations in Belfield, Stanley and Tioga were not paid for pre-shift work, as required by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Watco will pay 261 workers a total of $304,094 in overtime back wages.

“People must be compensated for all time on the job, including before and after a shift,” said Charles Frasier, district director for the Wage and Hour Division in Denver. “We hope other local employers take note of this case and ensure they are paying their workers properly.”

The investigation found that employees were not compensated for required attendance at pre-shift safety and turnover meetings. Another overtime violation occurred when Watco failed to compute overtime properly. The company also failed to maintain accurate records of all hours worked.

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