CALIFORNIA – A recent class action lawsuit has been filed against Paramount Pictures, alleging that the company failed to adequately pay its film crew members, impacting several major film projects.
The plaintiff, Timothy O’Cain, has claimed that Paramount did not make full and timely payments to production crew members on multiple projects, including blockbuster hits like “Top Gun,” “Fatal Attraction,” and “Snake Eyes.” Additionally, the lawsuit asserts that the company did not reimburse crew members for cellphone expenses and did not provide proper meal and rest breaks, in clear violation of California labor law.
O’Cain argues that by not paying employees their full wages at the end of their contracts, Paramount is violating Section 203 of the California Labor Code. This violation not only economically affects the workers but also deprives them of basic labor rights, such as adequate breaks during their workday.
The lawsuit seeks to represent all individuals who have worked for Paramount in film production in California over the past three years. It also includes another class of individuals in similar situations who received payments in the past four years.
This broad group of plaintiffs highlights the magnitude of the problem and the number of workers potentially affected by the company’s labor practices.
One of the most controversial points of the lawsuit is the accusation that Paramount required film crew members to keep their walkie-talkies and cell phones on at all times, even during meal and rest periods.
This practice, according to the lawsuit, prevents workers from enjoying their breaks as mandated by law, as they must remain available and in constant communication, violating their labor rights.
The class action lawsuit accuses Paramount of multiple violations of the California Labor Codes and demands a jury trial. O’Cain and the class members are seeking compensation for unpaid wages, damages, civil and statutory penalties, as well as reimbursement of attorneys’ fees and costs. The aim is for Paramount to rectify its labor practices and comply with state labor laws.
The class action lawsuit for unpaid wages against Paramount is filed as O’Cain, et al. v. Paramount Pictures Corporation, et al., Case No. 24STCV12693, in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. This case could set an important precedent for future labor lawsuits in the film industry.
