More than 70 temporary, foreign workers can proceed with a $10-million lawsuit against a company operating Denny's restaurants in British Columbia.
Supreme Court of B.C. Justice Shelley Fitzpatrick has certified a class-action suit against Northland Properties Corporation, which operates Denny's Restaurants and Dencan Restaurants Inc.
According to court documents, plaintiff Herminia Vergara Dominguez was recruited from the Philippines to work in Denny's restaurants, paid thousands of dollars in recruitment fees and was promised employment.
She and others involved in the suit allege the defendants failed to provide the promised work, didn't pay overtime and failed to reimburse expenses.
The defendants say they have offered to reimburse travel expenses and argued against allowing the suit to proceed as a class action, saying the size of the action was too small and the claims could be dealt with individually.
Judge Fitzpatrick says the class action moves the litigation forward, helps resolve common issues and addresses issues of "judicial economy."