Dispatcher had to work up to 116 hours per week without OT, suit claims

A woman claims a Collinsville towing company forced her to work between 85 and 116 hours per week without paying her overtime or even minimum wage.

In a seven day work-week, 116 hours could equal 16.5 hours per day. In a five day work-week, 116 hours could equal 23.2 hours per day.

Nancy K. Sandage filed a lawsuit Aug. 9 in Madison County Circuit Court against Thomas Brothers Towing, Jim Kortney, Steve Thomas and Larry Thomas.

Sandage claims she worked for Thomas Brothers for 11 years as a dispatcher and labored for anywhere between 85 to 116 hours per week.

During her employment, Sandage provided the Illinois Department of Labor with information regarding Thomas Brothers' unwillingness to pay her overtime or minimum wage, according to the complaint.

As a result of her supply of information, Sandage's supervisors forced her to resign by making her work activities abusive, by refusing to provide her with a regular work schedule and by refusing to work her on a regular basis, the suit states.

Because of her treatment while at Thomas Brothers, Sandage lost overtime and minimum wage pay and experienced pain, suffering, humiliation and embarrassment, the complaint says. In addition, she claims she lost her enjoyment of life.

In her complaint, Sandage seeks more than $50,000 in compensatory damages and more than $50,000 in punitive damages, plus attorney's fees, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Thomas O. Falb of Williamson, Webster, Falb and Glisson in Alton will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-827.