Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo have reached a settlement with Jersey Tractor Trailer Training, Inc. (JTTT), a truck driving school in Bergen County. The agreement follows allegations that the company misclassified at least 30 commercial driver’s license instructors as independent contractors rather than employees, which led to these workers missing out on proper wages and employment protections.
“No business operating in our state should be allowed to deprive workers of their rightful pay and benefits. That’s why my office, working in conjunction with Labor Commissioner Asaro-Angelo, has cracked down on worker misclassification, which denies employees their hard-earned pay and benefits,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Today’s settlement is another important victory in the fight against worker misclassification. Our message is simple: comply with the law or face the consequences.”
Labor Commissioner Asaro-Angelo added, “Our department is glad this matter has found a resolution as it reinforces something simple but essential: our longstanding laws matter, and respecting them protects workers, families, and businesses alike.”
The complaint covered violations from 2018 to 2022. It alleged that JTTT failed to pay overtime or timely wages; did not maintain required records of hours worked or wages paid; neglected to provide earned sick leave; and did not contribute to several state funds supporting unemployment compensation, disability benefits, workforce development, and basic skills training.
Under the terms of the settlement, JTTT will pay a total gross amount of $345,000. Of this sum, eligible instructors are entitled to up to $137,160 based on individual earnings. The company will also pay $127,839 to NJDOL for penalties and costs associated with bringing the lawsuit.
The total settlement could be reduced by $80,000 if JTTT fulfills reporting requirements over two years by providing documentation showing that all current and future instructors are treated as employees under relevant state labor laws.
This case marks another recent action taken by New Jersey authorities against worker misclassification in transportation and logistics industries. Other settlements have involved companies accused of wrongly classifying newspaper delivery workers as independent contractors.
The Office of the Attorney General’s Division of Law represented NJDOL in this matter through Deputy Attorneys General Nadya Comas and Matthew Harm.
