Two employees of the Lackawanna County Sheriff's Department filed a federal lawsuit Friday against the county and the union that represents them, alleging they've been denied overtime pay.
Michael Souryavong and Edwin Velez, no addresses listed, say the county has refused to pay them overtime in violation of state and federal labor laws, and that their union, the Lackawanna County Deputy Sheriff's Association, wrongly dropped a grievance it had filed on their behalf.
According to the suit filed by attorney Cynthia Pollick of Pittston:
Mr. Souryavong has been employed since 2008 and Mr. Velez since 2009. At various times over the years they have worked more than 40 hours a week, which entitles them to overtime pay, but the county refused to pay it. The suit does not detail the work the men performed, or say how many hours of overtime they believe they are due.
In May 2011, the union filed a grievance on behalf of the men. It notified them in May 2013 that it would no longer pursue the grievance.
The lawsuit seeks damages from the county for failing to abide by state and federal labor law and breach of the union contract. It seeks damages from the union for breach of duty to provide fair representation.
Contact the writer: tbesecker@timesshamrock.com