CASE UPDATES

Halunen & Associates has filed a class action lawsuit against Bimbo Foods Bakeries Distribution Inc. in Illinois alleging that the distributors are being treated as employees in violation of Illinois wage and hour statutes and in breach of their contracts with the company. The suit also alleges that the distributors should actually be deemed franchisees and that Bimbo's conduct violates Illinois franchise law. In particular, the Complaint alleges that Bimbo's recent purchase of Sara Lee and sale of the product in the distributors' territories constitutes a constructive termination without good cause in violation of franchise law. Under the wage and hours laws, the lawsuit seeks recovery of overtime pay and benefits, as well as unreimbursed expenses for class members. Under the franchise law, the lawsuit seeks damages for breach of contract.

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