Central Valley Calif. Grape Grower Sued By Workers

A Hispanic advocacy group is suing a Central Valley grape grower to recover wages for Latino employees it claims were forced to work extra hours without pay.

The Mexican American Legal Defense Fund filed the class-action lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Fresno against Castlerock Farming and Transport Inc.

The suit seeks a court order stopping the alleged illegal practice and the payment of wages and other benefits denied to more than 5,000 workers over the past 11 years.

The suit also alleges Castlerock failed to properly pay minimum wage to hourly workers, refused to provide paid rest breaks and failed to provide meal breaks to employees who work at least five hours.

A Castlerock spokeswoman says the company has not yet seen the suit and could not comment.