Mateo

ORDER

There are three motions before the Court. First, several defendants have filed a motion to quash service of process. Second, other defendants have filed a motion for summary adjudication of the issue of whether certain elements of plaintiffs’ benefit package constitute “wages” under 46 U.S.C. § 10313 . Third, plaintiffs have filed a motion to certify an interlocutory appeal. A hearing was held on the first two motions on January 15, 1992, and the third motion was heard on January 29, 1992. At both hearings, plaintiffs were represented by Marvin Stender and defendants were represented by Frederick Wentker. Having considered the papers submitted and the arguments of counsel, the Court GRANTS defendants’ motion to quash service of process, GRANTS in part and DENIES defendants’ motion for summary adjudication, and DENIES plaintiffs’ motion to certify an interlocutory appeal.

I. MOTION TO QUASH SERVICE OF PROCESS

A. Background

The four defendants bringing this motion are foreign corporations doing business outside the United States which plaintiffs attempted to serve by certified mail. Defendant Universal Sea Transport, S.A. (UST) is a Panamanian corporation with its…