Truck drivers sue DeCoster, Northern Transportation

PORTLAND – A class action suit was filed on Thursday against DeCoster Egg Farm and Northern Transportation on behalf of 50 truck drivers who claim they were denied overtime pay.

The suit, filed by labor lawyer Donald Fontaine, alleges the Turner company violated state wage laws by working drivers for 60 hours a week without paying the required time-and-a-half overtime wages.

Northern Transportation was founded in 1977 by Austin “Jack” DeCoster, when he split the egg company into several smaller companies.

In the lawsuit, Fontaine called Northern Transportation a “shell corporation,” that was established by DeCoster to avoid overtime laws.

“Northern Transport has no actual physical assets – it leases all trucks, equipment and office space directly from DeCoster in what appears to be an attempt to make the firm judgement proof,” Fontaine told WMTW-TV in a prepared statement. “Under the law, Jack DeCoster is these driver’s employer.”