Roderick Wright v. Renzenberger, Inc.

MEMORANDUM

Plaintiffs-Appellants Roderick Wright, Fernando Olivarez, and Marcus Haynes, Jr. appeal from the district court’s denial of their motion for class certification. We affirm in part, reverse in part, vacate in part, and remand for further proceedings.

Defendant-Appellee Renzenberger, Inc. (Renzenberger) employed Appellants as drivers to transport railroad crews between and within railroad yards. In the operative complaint, Appellants alleged that Renzenberger failed to comply with laws concerning rest breaks and compensation. Appellants moved for certification of five classes. The district court granted certification as to the one class not opposed by Defendant, the Separate Pay Class, but denied certification as to the other four classes. We do not disturb the ruling concerning the Separate Pay Class, and address the remaining proposed classes in turn. At the outset, we note a district court can resolve merits questions at the class certification stage “only to the extent ... that they are relevant to determining whether the Rule 23 prerequisites for class certification are satisfied.” Amgen Inc. v. Conn. Ret. Plans & Trust Funds, — U.S. —, 133 S.Ct. 1184, 1195 , 185…