By Associated Press
Florence, AL – An employee at a Pilgrim's Pride poultry processing plant in Russellville is suing two managers claiming-they knowingly hired illegal immigrants who earned depressed wages.
Jennifer Hall of Muscle Shoals filed the class action suit in Federal Court against Paul White, operations manager, and Phyllis Thomas, complex manager.
The suit identifies the plaintiffs as all hourly paid workers who have been legally employed by Gold Kist and/or Pilgrim's. About two-thousand people work at the Russellville facility.
Ray Atkinson, director of corporate communications at Pilgrim's Pride, said the company complies with federal and state laws regarding the employment of non-U.S. citizens.
Hall's attorney accused the companies of knowingly hiring illegal employees to save money.
The lawsuit asks for a jury trial and a judgment equal to three times the damage the illegal hirings caused the plaintiffs and attorney fees.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)