Johnson v. Arvin-Edison Water Storage District

Appellant, Randell Johnson, filed a class action complaint against respondent, Arvin-Edison Water Storage District (District), alleging that he, and a putative class of current and former District employees, had not been paid overtime and provided with meal breaks in accordance with the California Labor Code and the Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) wage orders. The District demurred to the complaint on the ground that, as a public entity, it is exempt from the subject wage and hour statutes. The trial court agreed with the District and sustained the demurrer.

Appellant argues that, contrary to the trial court’s ruling, public employers are subject to the California wage and hour provisions at issue unless they are expressly made exempt. According to appellant, under statutory construction rules, it is evident that the Legislature intended that water storage districts provide their employees with overtime and meal periods as required by Labor Code sections 510 and 512, and IWC wage order No. 17. Appellant further asserts that these Labor Code requirements will not infringe on the execution of the District’s sovereign powers.

Additionally, appellant argues the District…