Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc.

This opinion was
^ fiied for record
IN CLERKt OmCE
•unuEOouRr.eDOEOFiwaHNeioi
DATE SEP fl S 7()1 Susan L. Carlson
Supreme Court Clerk
CHIEF JUSTICE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
CERTIFICATION FROM THE UNITED
STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
IN No. 96264-2
VALERIE SAMPSON and DAVID
RAYMOND,on their own behalf and on
behalf of all others similarly situated, EN BANC
Plaintiffs,
V. Filed: $EP|J 2018
KNIGHT TRANSPORTATION,INC., an
Arizona corporation, KNIGHT
REFRIGERATED,LLC, an Arizona limited
liability company, and KNIGHT PORT
SERVICES,LLC, an Arizona limited
liability company.
Defendants.
YU,J. — This case arises from a putative class action employment lawsuit
involving commercial truck drivers who are paid on a piecework basis. We have
been asked by Judge Cplighenour of the United States District Court for the
Sampson v. Knight Transp., /«c., No. 96264-2
Western District of Washington to answer the following certified question: "Does
the Washington Minimum Wage Act require non-agricultural employers to pay
their piece-rate employees per hour for time spent performing activities outside of
piece-rate work?" Order, Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc., No. C17-0028-JCC, at
17(W.D. Wash. June 14, 2018).
The answer is no. All workers must be compensated for all hours worked in
a workweek in accordance with the Minimum Wage Act(MWA),ch. 49.46 ROW.
For nonagricultural workers, WAC 296-126-021 validly allows employers to
demonstrate compliance with the MWA's guaranty that Washington workers
receive a minimum wage for each hour worked by ensuring that the total wages for
the week do not fall below the statutory minimum wage for each hour worked.
Accordingly, the plaintiffs in this case fail to demonstrate as a matter of law that
they were uncompensated for time spent "loading and unloading, pre-trip
inspections, fueling, detention at a shipper or consignee, washing trucks, and other
similar activities." Order at 17.
Factual Background and Procedural History
Plaintiffs Valerie Sampson and David Raymond (collectively Sampson) are
Washington residents who worked as commercial truck drivers for defendants
Knight Transportation Inc., Knight Refrigerated LLC, and Knight Port Services
LLC (collectively Knight). Plaintiffs brought this putative class action on behalf of
Sampson v. Knight Transp., /«c., No. 96264-2
themselves and others similarly situated for several alleged violations of
Washington wage and hour laws. At issue here is Sampson's claim that piece-rate
drivers must receive separate hourly compensation for all time spent "on-duty not-
driving."'
Knight uses two methods to compensate its drivers. Long-haul drivers—
those that deliver loads across the United States and Canada—are paid a mileage-
based piece rate, based on estimated miles rather than actual miles driven (mileage
rate). The per-mile rate varies depending on the length ofthe trip and is intended
to compensate the driver for time spent driving as well as for routine nondriving
tasks associated with the trip, including weighing loads, filling out paper work,
conducting vehicle inspections, securing and caring for cargo, performing
maintenance activities, fueling and washing the truck, and up to two hours of wait
time^ at the shipper or consignee facility. Because these nondriving activities take
roughly the same amount of time regardless of the length of the trip, shorter trips
are paid at a higher per-mile rate than longer trips. Long-haul drivers are also paid
an extra flat fee for certain additional duties, such as hand loading/unloading.
'Federal regulations require commercial truck drivers to log their work hours as either
driving or on-duty not-driving. 49 C.F.R. § 395.8(b). ''Driving time means all time spent at the
driving controls of a commercial motor vehicle in operation." 49 C.F.R. § 395.2.
^ Two hours is commonly used in the industry as the average time it takes to load or
unload cargo. U.S. Gov't Accountability Off., GAO-1 1-198, Commercial Motor
Carriers: More Could Be Done to Determine Impact of Excessive Loading and
Unloading Wait Times on Hours of Service Violations 1 n.l (2011).
3
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc., No. 96264-2
making extra stops, waiting more than two hours at the shipper or consignee, and
crossing borders.
Short-haul drivers—those that pick up loads from major ports in Washington
and deliver them across the Pacific Northwest—are paid a flat rate for each round
trip (load rate). The load rate is determined by several factors, including the trip
length and type of load. Like the mileage rate for long-haul drivers, the load rate is
intended to cover all routine nondriving tasks. And like long-haul drivers, short-
haul drivers receive extra pay for additional activities, such as long wait times and
assisting with loading and unloading. The district court determined that both the
mileage rate and load rate qualify as "piece rates" pursuant to Washington law
because drivers are paid for tasks completed and not the amount of time worked.
Id. at 13 {citing Erickson v. Dep't ofLabor & Indus., 185 Wash. 618, 620, 56 P.2d
713 (1936)).
Sampson argues that both compensation schemes violate the MWA because
drivers spend time completing tasks for which they are not paid. Instead, the time
spent on nondriving tasks is "subsumed within [the] mileage or load rate." Id. at
14. Sampson argues that the MWA requires employers to pay their employees
"per hour" worked and that the workweek averaging used by Knight does not
compensate for actual hours worked. Id.
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc., No. 96264-2
The district court acknowledged that it had previously rejected similar
claims as not cognizable under Washington law, but it agreed with Sampson that
those prior holdings were called into question by our recent decision in Carranza
V. Dovex Fruit Co., 190 Wn.2d 612, 416 P.3d 1205 (2018), and therefore certified
the following question to this court.^ Order at 15.
Issue
Does the MWA require nonagricultural employers to pay their piece-rate
employees per hour for time spent performing activities outside of piece-rate
work?'^
Analysis
The MWA "establish[es] minimum standards of employment within the
state of Washington," including setting the minimum wage. ROW 49.46.005(1).
The MWA states that "every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees
who has reached the age of eighteen years wages at a rate of not less than [the
applicable minimum wage] per hour." ROW 49.46.020(l)-(3). The statute does
not restrict employers to a specific compensation structure but does require that
^ We accepted amicus briefs from the Attorney General of Washington, Department of
Labor and Industries, American Trucking Associations Inc. and Washington Trucking
Associations, and Washington Employment Lawyers Association.
"For the purpose of answering this question, the [district court] considers 'time spent
performing activities outside of piece-rate work' to include: loading and unloading, pre-trip
inspections, fueling, detention at a shipper or consignee, washing trucks, and other similar
activities." Order at 17.
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc.,'Ho. 96264-2
employees be compensated at least the minimum wage for each hour worked.
Carranza, 190 Wn.2d at 619.
With limited exceptions, WAC 296-126-021 allows employers to measure
compliance with the MWA by dividing an employee's total wages earned in a
week by the total hours worked. If the result equals or exceeds the minimum
wage, the requirements of the MWA have been met. This method is commonly
referred to as "workweek averaging." If the result falls below the hourly minimum
wage, the employer must augment the final compensation to meet the statutory
requirements.
Knight contends that WAC 296-126-021 specifically authorizes workweek
averaging of all hours worked as an allowable method of measuring compliance
with the MWA for piece-rate workers like the truck drivers here. Sampson argues
that in light of Carranza, WAC 296-126-021 must be interpreted to authorize
workweek averaging of piecework wages only with hours spent on the piecework.
That is, hours spent on tasks outside the piecework must be separately
compensated at an hourly rate at least equal to the applicable minimum wage.
Alternatively, Sampson argues that WAC 296-126-021 is not a valid
implementation of the MWA.
This is the fourth certified question we have received in the last several years
from federal courts relating to piecework compensation and the MWA,but it is the
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc., No. 96264-2
first where we are required to directly rule on the validity of WAC 296-126-021's
workweek averaging test for compliance for nonagricultural workers. See Hill v.
Xerox Bus. Servs., LLC, 191 Wn.2d 751, 752, 760, 426 P.3d 703 (2018)(a
payment plan that includes as a metric an employee's "production minutes" does
not qualify as a piecework plan); Carranza, 190 Wn.2d at 626-21 (agricultural
piece-rate pickers, who are not subject to WAC 296-126-021, must be paid
separate hourly compensation for the time they spend performing tasks outside of
piece-rate picking work); Lopez Demetrio v. Sakuma Bros. Farms, 183 Wn.2d 649,
662-63, 355 P.3d 258(2015)(agricultural employers required to pay piece-rate
workers separately for rest breaks at a rate calculated by workweek averaging of
production hours).^ We now hold that WAC 296-126-021 sets forth a valid
method of measuring compliance with the MWA for nonagricultural employees
paid on a piecework basis. Contrary to the dissent's characterization, the court in
Carranza limited its holding to agricultural workers because WAC 296-126-021
expressly excluded agricultural workers. 190 Wn.2d at 624; WAC 296-126-
001(2)(c).
^ While we have not ruled on this precise issue, federal district courts have upheld the
validity of WAC 296-126-021 for commercial truck drivers paid on a piecework basis. Mendis
V. Schneider Nat'l Carriers, Inc., No. C15-0144-JCC, 2016 WL 6650992, at *3(W.D. Wash.
Nov. 10, 2016); Helde v. Knight Transp., /«c.. No. C12-0904RSL, 2016 WL 1687961, at *2
(W.D. Wash. Apr. 26, 2016).
7
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc., No. 96264-2
A. We answer the certified question as framed by the district court
As a preliminary matter, we must decide whether to answer the certified
question as presented by the district court or exercise our discretion to reformulate
the question. See, e.g., Allen v. Dameron, 187 Wn.2d 692, 701, 389 P.3d 487(2017); Order at 17. Knight argues that the question as presented implicitly
accepts Sampson's premise that the nondriving tasks at issue are outside the scope
of the piece-rate compensation. Knight asks us to reframe the question to read,
"Does the MWA prohibit piecework pay from compensating for all activities
necessary or incidental to the production of the units of output?" Resp'ts/Defs.'
Corrected Answering Br. at 10-11. We decline to do so. What work is accounted
for by piece-rate compensation is a factual question for the district court to resolve.
Carranza, 190 Wn.2d at 615-16. The district court has asked for our guidance on a
narrow legal question, and we confine our answer to the scope of the question as
presented.
We answer certified questions de novo and in light of the certified record
from the federal court. Carlsen v. Glob. Client Sols., LLC, 171 Wn.2d 486, 493,
256 P.3d 321 (2011); also RCW 2.60.030(2).
B. The plain language of WAG 296-126-021 allows workweek averaging of all
hours for nonagricultural workers paid on a piecework basis
The Department of Labor and Industries (Department) has long understood
WAG 296-126-021 to allow workweek averaging of all hours worked for
8
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc., No. 96264-2
nonagricultural employees paid on a piecework basis. Sampson would have us
interpret the regulation as requiring separate hourly pay for non-piece-rate work.
This interpretation is not supported by the plain language of the regulation.
Because the Department's long-held interpretation of the regulation comports with
the plain language, we agree with the Department's intei-pretation.
This court interprets regulations according to the same rules that are used to
interpret statutes. Lopez Demetrio, 183 Wn.2d at 655. First, the court "examine[s]
the plain language ofthe regulation; if that language is unambiguous, it controls."
Id. A regulation '"is not ambiguous merely because different interpretations are
conceivable.'" Cerrillo v. Esparza, 158 Wn.2d 194, 201, 142 P.3d 155(2006)
(emphasis added)(internal quotation marks omitted)(quoting Agrilink Foods, Inc.
V. Dep't ofRevenue, 153 Wn.2d 392, 396, 103 P.3d 1226 (2005)). Instead, more
than one interpretation must be reasonable. Id.The parties disagree on whether or not the regulation is ambiguous. The full
text ofthe regulation states:
Where employees are paid on a commission or piecework basis,
wholly or partially,
(1)The amount earned on such basis in each work-week period
may be credited as a part ofthe total wage for that period; and
(2)The total wages paid for such period shall be computed on
the hours worked in that period resulting in no less than the applicable
minimum wage rate.
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc., No. 96264-2
WAC 296-126-021. The Department interprets this to mean that an employer may
divide an employee's total weekly earnings by the employee's total weekly hours
worked, and if the result is at least equal to the applicable minimum wage,the
employer has met its obligation to comply with the MWA. "In this way,[the
Department] has allowed employers to 'credit' the piece-rate and commission
earnings to other hours worked and has not required employers to compensate
employees separately for hours employees might be engaged in non-piece-rate or
commission work." Amicus Curiae Br. ofthe Dep't of Labor & Indus, at 4; see
also Wash. Dep't of Labor & Indus., Admin. Policy ES.A.3, at 2(revised July 15,
2014)(Minimum Hourly Wage), http://www.lni.wa.govAVorkplaceRights/files/
policies/esa3.pdf[https://perma.cc/T4FS-9BCH]. The only payments that are not
included in the total wages calculation are vacation pay; holiday pay; and any
gratuities, tips, or service fees. Admin. Policy ES.A.3, at 3; see also WAC 296-
126-022.
Sampson argues that the regulation is ambiguous and that the Department's
interpretation is only one oftwo reasonable interpretations. Sampson asks us to
interpret the regulation to "require[] employers to satisfy their obligation to pay for
all hours worked before applying workweek averaging." Pis.' Opening Br. on
Certified Question at 26.
10
Sampson v. Knight Transp., /nc., No. 96264-2
To support their position, Sampson argues that the Department's
interpretation renders subsection(1)of the regulation superfluous because
"Subsection (1) provides: 'The amount earned on la piece-ratel basis . . . may be
credited as a part of the total wage for that period.' WAC 296-126-021(1). This
means the employer must also credit the employee for wages earned for work
performed on some other basis during the period." Id. at 27 (alterations in
original). Sampson argues that if the Department's interpretation is correct,
subsection (1) would be unnecessary, and the regulation would have read only,
'"Where employees are paid on a commission or piecework basis, wholly or
partially, the total wages paid for such period shall be computed on the hours
worked in that period resulting in no less than the applicable minimum wage
rate.'" Id. at 29.
Sampson is correct that Washington courts interpret regulations in a manner
that gives effect to all the language without rendering any part superfluous. Hayes
V. Yount, 87 Wn.2d 280, 290, 552 P.2d 1038 (1976). However,the Department's
interpretation of WAC 296-126-021 does not render subsection (1)superfluous as
Sampson contends. Instead, subsection (1) makes it clear that the regulation
permits all forms of compensation paid in a workweek to be added together to
determine MWA compliance when an employee is paid "partially" on a piecework
basis, as allowed by WAC 296-126-021. See Admin. Policy ES.A.3, at 3 ("'Total
11
Sampson v. Knight Transp., /nc., No. 96264-2
earnings' is meant to include ail compensation received for hours worked in the
pay period, as well as any additional payments, i.e., split-shift bonus or stand-by
pay."). It does not require that nonpiecework compensation be separately paid to
workers paid "wholly" on a piecework basis, which is also allowed by WAC 296-
126-021.
The Department's interpretation comports with the plain language ofthe
regulation and does not render any part superfluous. Therefore, we agree with the
Department's interpretation and move to the central issue in this case—whether the
regulation so interpreted violates the MWA.
C. WAC 296-126-021 does not conflict with the MWA
The central issue in this case is whether workweek averaging, as authorized
by WAC 296-126-021, is consistent with the MWA's requirement that workers
receive compensation for each hour worked. The Department is tasked with
administering and enforcing the MWA and has authority to promulgate regulations
related to that purpose. WAC 296-126-021 aids enforcement by specifying how
compliance with the MWA will be tested for nonagricultural workers paid on a
piecework basis. Administrative regulations adopted pursuant to a legislative grant
of authority are presumed to be valid and will be upheld on judicial review if they
are reasonably consistent with the controlling statute. Wash. Pub. Ports Ass'n v.
Dep't ofRevenue, 148 Wn.2d 637, 646,62 P.3d 462(2003).
12
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc., No. 96264-2
To overcome this presumption of validity, Sampson argues that our decision
in Carranza requires all employers to compensate piece-rate workers on a separate
hourly basis for work performed outside the piecework, so WAC 296-126-021 is
invalid to the extent it authorizes workweek averaging of all hours worked. But
our holding in Carranza was not so broad. There is no regulation that authorizes
workweek averaging for the agricultural workers at issue in Carranza—^they are
expressly excluded from WAC 296-126-021. 190 Wn.2d at 624; WAC 296-126-
001(2)(c). Thus, our holding in Carranza was necessarily limited to the narrow
context of that case because no regulation authorized workweek averaging for
agricultural workers.
In Carranza, we were asked whether '"Washington law require[s]
agricultural employers to pay their pieceworkers for time spent performing
activities outside of piece-rate picking work.'" 190 Wn.2d at 618. The plaintiffs
in the case were seasonal and migrant agricultural workers who were paid on a
piece-rate basis—a set amount for every bin of apples or pears or each lug of
cherries picked. Id. at 616. They were also required to spend time performing
other tasks not related to picking, such as traveling between orchards, transporting
ladders, and attending mandatory meetings. Id. at 617. We determined that "[t]he
plain language of the MWA requires employers to pay their adult workers 'at a rate
of not less than [the applicable minimum wage]per hour. Id. at 614-15 (second
13
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc., No. 96264-2
alteration in original)(quoting RCW 49.46.020(l)-(3)). In the absence of any
"exception, other statutory provision, or judicial or executive interpretation," we
set out to decide whether the compensation plan at issue complied with this
statutory language. Id. at 615. We determined that the compensation plan would
allow an agricultural employer to "conceal the fact that an employer is not
compensating its employees for all hours worked because payment for some hours
of piece-rate picking work is spread across all hours worked." Id. at 622. Thus we
held that these employees "are entitled to separate hourly compensation for the
time they spend performing tasks outside of piece-rate picking work." Id. at 626.
The fact that workweek averaging may not be applied to agricultural
workers, who are explicitly exempt from WAC 296-126-021, does not
automatically mean that workweek averaging is invalid as applied to everyone.
Carranza therefore does not control here. The ultimate determination for purposes
of the MWA remains whether an employer is compensating each employee for all
hours worked at a rate greater than or equal to the statutory minimum wage. WAC
296-126-021 merely provides that where the regulation applies, compliance with
the MWA's minimum wage requirements may be demonstrated by workweek
averaging. It does not deprive nonagricultural workers oftheir statutory minimum
wage and therefore does not conflict with the MWA.
14
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc., No. 96264-2
The exemption of agricultural workers from WAC 296-126-021 also
represents a reasonable decision that is within the Department's authority to make.
The agricultural and trucking industries are different, and piecework compensation
serves different purposes in each context. Thus, it is not unreasonable to have
different methods of measuring compliance with the MWA.
Paying agricultural workers for every bin of fruit they pick incentivizes them
to work harder, faster, and more efficiently while doing that work. The more fruit
they pick in an hour, the more they get paid. Requiring this class of historically
vulnerable workers to then spend time on activities where they are not earning
additional compensation would frustrate the purpose ofthe MWA. Carranza, 190
Wn.2d at 625. It was thus reasonable for the Department to explicitly exempt
agricultural workers who are paid on a piece-rate basis from workweek averaging.
Piecework compensation in the trucking industry also promotes productivity
but in a very different way. Unlike agricultural workers, truckers are not closely
supervised during the day. They are frequently away from the employer's office or
terminals for weeks at a time with little oversight. Br. of Am. Trucking Ass'ns Inc.
& Wash. Trucking Ass'ns as Amici Curiae at 4. Truck drivers are not paid a per-
mile rate so that they will drive faster and produce more miles in an hour. Rather,
piecework compensation incentivizes them to make productive use oftheir day.
15
Sampson v. Knight Transp., /nc., No. 96264-2
For the past 45 years, the regulation has reflected the Department's
reasonable determination that workweek averaging is a valid measure of
compliance with the MWA for nonagricultural workers. Meanwhile, WAC 296-
126-00l(2)(c) reflects the Department's reasonable determination to exempt
agricultural workers from workweek averaging in light oftheir particular
circumstances. Nothing has changed that would bring the reasonableness of either
determination into question. Therefore, we hold that WAC 296-126-021 is not
inconsistent with the MWA.
D. WAC 296-126-021 is a valid implementation of the MWA
Finally, we turn to Sampson's argument that WAC 296-126-021 does not
apply to the MWA at all. Sampson's theory is that since the regulation was
promulgated pursuant to a specific grant of rule-making authority contained in the
industrial welfare act(IWA), ch. 49.12 RCW,its application is limited to that
statute. But this argument ignores the necessity of promulgating regulations to "fill
the gaps" in the MWA by providing a method of testing compliance for workers
compensated on a basis other than an hourly wage, as well as provisions that grant
the Department broad authority to do so.
Determining the extent of an administrative agency's rule-making authority
is a question oflaw, which we review de novo. Wash. Pub. Ports Ass'n, 148
Wn.2d at 645. An administrative agency "possesses only those powers either
16
Sampson v. Knight Transp., /«c., No. 96264-2
expressly granted or necessarily implied from statutory grants of authority." Id. at
646. Agency regulations "may be used to 'fill in the gaps' in legislation if such
[regulations] are 'necessary to the effectuation of a general statutory scheme.'" Id.(internal quotation marks omitted)(quoting Green River Community Coll. v.
Higher Educ. Pers. Bd,95 Wn.2d 108, 112, 622 P.2d 826 (1980)).
The director of the Department is charged by statute with "the administration
and enforcement of all laws respecting the employment and relating to the health,
sanitary conditions, surroundings, hours of labor, and wages of employees
employed in business and industry in accordance with the provisions of[the IWA,]
chapter 49.12 RCW." RCW 43.22.270(4)(emphasis added). The IWA in turn
specifically grants the director "authority to prescribe rules and regulations fixing
standards, conditions and hours of labor for the protection of the safety, health and
welfare of employees for all . . . occupations subject to [the IWA]."^ RCW
49.12.091.
The MWA sets minimum wage standards for all employees in the state, both
those that are subject to the IWA and those that are not. RCW 49.46.120. The
MWA's provisions are "in addition to and supplementary to any other federal,
state, or local law or ordinance, or any rule or regulation issued thereunder." Id.^ Most occupations, including truck driving, are subject to the IWA. See RCW 49.12.005
(3)-(4). Agriculturallabor is exempt from the IWA. RCW 49.12.185.
17
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc., No. 96264-2
Thus, a regulation that authorizes workweek averaging for minimum wage
compliance promulgated under the IWA is valid so long as the minimum
requirements ofthe MWA are met.
The Department is tasked with the enforcement ofthe MWA,but the statute
does not specify how the Department should measure compliance with the act for
employees paid on a piecework basis. WAC 296-126-021, adopted in 1974, fills
this gap in the statute as it relates to nonagricultural workers and is within the
scope of the Department's rule-making authority.
Conclusion
WAC 296-126-021 implements the MWA and allows employers to use
workweek averaging to measure compliance with the MWA for nonagricultural
workers paid on a piecework basis. The regulation is not in conflict with the
MWA's guaranty of a per hour minimum wage. Rather, it is a reasonable method
of ensuring compliance adopted by the agency with expertise in the field. Since
WAC 296-126-021 ensures compliance with the MWA,we answer the certified
question in the negative—^the MWA does not require nonagricultural employers to
pay their piece-rate employees per hour for time spent performing activities outside
of piece-rate work.
18
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc.,'Ho. 96264-2
WE CONCUR:
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1-9^
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc.
No. 96264-2
OWENS,J.(dissenting) — We are asked to decide whether the Washington
Minimum Wage Act(MWA),chapter 49.46 ROW,requires "non-agricultural
employers to pay their piece-rate employees per hour for time spent performing
activities outside of piece-rate work." Order, Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc., No.
C17-0028-JCC, at 17(W.D. Wash. June 14, 2018). I would answer in the affirmative.
I believe our recent decision in Carranza v. Dovex Fruit Co., 190 Wn.2d 612,416
P.3d 1205 (2018), compels this court to hold that the MWA requires nonagricultural
employers to pay their piece-rate employees on a separate hourly basis, at least equal
to the applicable minimum wage,for the time spent performing activities outside of
their piece-rate work. Carranza held that the plain language of the MWA mandates
that agricultural employers pay employees on a separate hourly basis for activities
outside of piece-rate work. However, Carranza was based on only the MWA,which
applies equally to both agricultural and nonagricultural employees. Consequently,
WAC 296-126-021 is contrary to the plain language ofthe MWA insofar as it permits
nonagricultural employers to pay their employees piece-rate pay for activities
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc., No. 96264-2
Owens, J., Dissenting
perfomied outside the scope oftheir piece-rate work. Accordingly,I would hold that
WAC 296-126-021 is invalid. Thus, I respectfully dissent.
Plaintiffs Valerie Sampson and David Raymond (collectively Sampson)argue
that the MWA requires that Knight Transportation Inc., Knight Refrigerated LLC,and
Knight Port Services LLC (collectively Knight) pay employees "per hour worked"
and that Knight's piece-rate wages, which are based on the piece-rate compensation
scheme set out in WAC 296-126-021, are unlawful. Order at 14. Stated another way,
Sampson contends that WAC 296-126-021 is invalid because it conflicts with the
plain language ofthe MWA.
The Washington Administrative Procedure Act(APA), chapter 34.05 RCW,
governs our review ofthe validity of an agency regulation. Ass'n of Wash. Spirits &
Wine Distribs. v. Wash. State Liquor Control Bd, 182 Wn.2d 342, 350, 340 P.3d 849(2015). Under the APA,an agency regulation may be invalidated only when it
(1) violates constitutional provisions,(2) exceeds the agency's statutory rule-making
authority,(3) was adopted without complying with statutory rule-making procedures,
or(4)is arbitrary and capricious. RCW 34.05.570(2)(c). When an agency's
regulation is reasonably consistent with the statutes it implements, an agency acts
within its statutory rule-making authority and the regulation is presumed to be valid.
Wash. State Hosp. Ass'n v. Dep't ofHealth, 183 Wn.2d 590, 595, 353 P.3d 1285(2015). However, regulations that are inconsistent with the statutes they implement
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc., No. 96264-2
Owens, J., Dissenting
are beyond the agency's authority and are therefore invalid. Id.WAC 296-126-021 provides:
Where employees are paid on a commission or piecework basis, wholly
or partially,
(1)The amount earned on such basis in each work-week period may
be credited as a part ofthe total wage for that period; and
(2) The total wages paid for such period shall be computed on the
hours worked in that period resulting in no less than the applicable
minimum wage rate.
Under WAC 296-126-021, an employer meets its minimum wage obligation when an
employee's total earnings, including piece-rate wages, are greater than the applicable
minimum wage rate when divided by the total number of hours the employee worked.
To assess the validity of WAC 296-126-021, we must examine the MWA. The
MWA provides that "every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees .. .
wages at a rate of not less than [the applicable minimum wage] per hour." RCW
49.46.020(l)(a)-(d). In Carranza, we held that because the plain language ofthe
MWA requires employers to pay their adult workers '"at a rate of not less than [the
applicable minimum wage]/?er hour"'' 190 Wn.2d at 614-15 (alteration in original)
(quoting RCW 49.46.020(1)-(3)), "agricultural workers may be paid on a piece-rate
basis only for the hours in which they are engaged in piece-rate picking work." Id. at
615.
Carranza involved facts strikingly similar to the case before us. A fruit
Sampson v. Knight Transp., Inc., No. 96264-2
Owens, J., Dissenting
company paid its agricultural employees on a piece-rate basis. Id. at 616. The
agricultural employees brought a lawsuit, alleging that the fruit company failed to
comply with Washington law because the MWA requires that agricultural employees
be compensated separately for work performed outside of their piece-rate work. Id. at
617. We agreed with the agricultural employees, reasoning that the legislature's
choice ofthe term "per hour" in the MWA signified its intent that employees have a
right to compensation for each hour worked, rather than a right to workweek
averaging. /