Bus driver sues First Student over unpaid wages

A school bus driver has filed suit against his employer, alleging he was not paid for all the hours he worked.

Sam Keefe claims he worked as an hourly employee for First Student, but has not received payment for all the hours he has spent on the job.

For example, Keefe claims he enters First Student's premises early in the morning and begins to perform various security and safety checks. However, Keefe is not paid until he drives his bus off First Student's premises, according to the complaint filed Aug. 16 in Madison County Circuit Court.

In addition, First Student does not pay Keefe for the time he spends performing a post-shift checking out, which takes about 15 minutes per day after Keefe returns to the garage, the suit states.

Although Keefe has attempted to file grievances with First Student, he has not been repaid, the complaint says. In fact, he faced four days of suspension because of his complaints, he claims.

In his suit, Keefe claims First Student violated the Illinois Minimum Wage Act and the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act.

Keefe is seeking the wages he claims he is owed, plus attorney's fees, costs, exemplary damages and other relief of more than $100,000.

John H. Hustava of Collinsville will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-814.