Carolina Becerra Becerra v. Expert Janitorial

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
CAROLINA BECERRA BECERRA; No. 68528-7-1
JULIO CESAR MARTINEZ MARTINEZ;
MOISES SANTOS GONZALEZ; DIVISION ONE
HERIBERTO VENTURA SATURNINO;
ORLANDO VENTURA REYES; JOSE
LUIS CORONADO; ALMA A.
BECERRA; and ADELENE MENDOZA
SOLORIO,
Appellants,
v.
EXPERT JANITORIAL, LLC, dba PUBLISHED
EXPERT JMS; and FRED MEYER
STORES, INC., FILED: September 16. 2013
Respondents,
CZ5
—ic:
ALL JANITORIAL, LLC; SERGEY CO
oo
n '
CHABAN; ALL AMERICAN m
JANITORIAL, LLC; RAUL CAMPOS;
cr.
and JANITORIAL MAINTENANCE &
wrr
SUPPLY, LLC, dba JMS,
Defendants. CD — -
Cox, J. — The primary issue in this case of first impression is whether
either Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. or Expert Janitorial, LLC is a "joint employer" of
the appellant janitors under Washington's Minimum Wage Act (MWA). We hold
that the proper test to determine this legal question is the "economic reality" test.
That test requires examination of all factors relevant to the particular employment
No. 68528-7-1/2
situation to determine the economic reality ofthe relationship.1 We also hold that
there are genuine issues of material fact regarding the existence and degree of
some of the relevant factors used to determine the economic reality of the
plaintiff janitors' relationship with Fred Meyer and Expert, respectively.
Accordingly, we reverse the summary judgment orders granting dismissal and
remand for further proceedings.
In 2004, Fred Meyer, a large retail company with stores in Washington
and other areas of the Pacific Northwest, began to outsource janitorial work that
had previously been done by employees of the company. Several years later,
the Puget Sound area Fred Meyer contracted with Janitorial Management
Services (JMS), a company that later merged with Expert Janitorial, to provide
janitorial services.
In the contract between Fred Meyer and Expert, Fred Meyer included a
detailed outline of the cleaning tasks to be completed by the janitors working in
1 See Rutherford Food Corp. v. McComb. 331 U.S. 722, 730, 67 S. Ct.
1473, 91 L. Ed. 1772 (1947) ("We think, however, that the determination of the
[employment] relationship does not depend on such isolated factors but rather
upon the circumstances of the whole activity."); see also Torres-Lopez v. May,
111 F.3d 633, 641 (9th Cir. 1997) ("the inquiry must focus on the economic
reality of the particular relationship between the [worker] and the alleged joint
employer"); Bonnette v. Cal. Health and Welfare Agency, 704 F.2d 1465, 1469
(9th Cir. 1983) (noting that the "touchstone" of the determination of joint
employment is its economic reality); overruled on other grounds by Garcia v. San
Antonio Metro. Transit Auth.. 469 U.S. 528, 538, 105 S. Ct. 1005, 83 L Ed. 2d
1016 (1985); Moreau v. Air France, 356 F.3d 942, 947 (9th Cir. 2004) (examining
all factors relevant to the particular employment situation to evaluate the
economic reality of the relationship) ; Zheng v. Liberty Apparel Co. Inc., 355 F.3d
61, 71 (2d Cir. 2003) (noting that determination of the economic reality "is
determined based upon all the circumstances" and should consider all relevant
evidence "so as to avoid having the test confined to a narrow legalistic definition")
(quoting Herman v. RSR Sec. Servs., Ltd.. 172 F.3d 132, 139 (2d Cir. 1999)).
No. 68528-7-1/3
Fred Meyer stores. Expert, in turn, subcontracted with a variety of janitorial
companies. These companies hired the janitors who cleaned the various stores
with which Expert contracted.
One of the companies with which Expert contracted was All Janitorial,
LLC, owned by Sergey Chaban. All Janitorial contracted with Expert to clean
Washington Fred Meyer stores. All Janitorial's employees also cleaned Rite Aid
stores in Washington for Expert, and it contracted with other companies like
Expert to clean other stores in the area. During the janitors' employment, about
half of All Janitorial's total revenues came from its contract to clean Fred Meyer
stores. Marcos Flores was the principal supervisor for All Janitorial's workers.
Carolina Becerra Becerra, Julio Cesar Martinez Martinez, Orlando Ventura
Reyes, Alma A. Becerra, and Adelene Mendoza Solorio (collectively, "the
janitors") all worked directly for All Janitorial.
All Janitorial hired the janitors and assigned them each to clean a
particular Fred Meyer store in the Puget Sound region. The janitors signed
contracts with All Janitorial which stated that they were "independent
contractors."
Most janitors worked seven days a week. If they needed a night off,
Flores directed them to find their own replacement.
The janitors worked overnight at Fred Meyer stores. Contractually, they
were to work from 10:30 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. But the actual hours worked was a
disputed issue in the trial court. The janitors testified that they typically worked
from around 10:30 or 11:00 p.m. until 7:30, 8:00, or 8:30 a.m. They also stated
No. 68528-7-1/4
that in order to leave the stores in the morning, they were required to have a Fred
Meyer employee sign off on an Expert-created checklist. This checklist was
based on the contractual requirements outlined in the Fred Meyer-Expert
contract.
In January 2010, All American Janitorial, LLC contracted with Expert to
take over the janitorial work that All Janitorial had provided. All American was
owned by Raul Campos, but he maintained Flores as the area supervisor. All
American's only cleaning contract was with Expert for the Puget Sound Fred
Meyer stores. Most of the janitors who worked for All Janitorial became All
American employees. Only one of the janitors in this appeal continued to work
for All American.
The janitors commenced this action against Expert, Fred Meyer, All
Janitorial, Sergey Chaban, All American, and Raul Campos. They claim that the
defendants violated the state MWA by failing to pay them the state minimum
wage, failing to pay overtime for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours a week,
and failing to provide rest and meal breaks. All Janitorial and its successor, All
American, were their direct employers. The janitors claim that Expert and Fred
Meyer were each theirjoint employers. The janitors seek amounts owed under
the MWA, together with reasonable attorney fees, from Fred Meyer and Expert.
Both Expert and Fred Meyer moved separately for summary judgment.
The trial court granted their respective motions.
The janitors appeal.
No. 68528-7-1/5
JOINT EMPLOYERS
The janitors argue that the proper test to determine joint employer status
under the MWA is the "economic reality" test that applies to the Fair Labor
Standards Act (FLSA). They also argue that there are genuine issues of material
fact regarding the existence and degree of some of the relevant economic reality
factors determinative of joint employment that should have precluded the trial
court's dismissal. We agree with both assertions.
A motion for summary judgment may be granted where there is no
genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a
matter of law.2 A material fact is one on which the outcome of the litigation
depends.3 "In a summary judgment motion, the moving party bears the initial
burden of showing the absence ofan issue of material fact."4 If the moving party
meets this burden, "the inquiry shifts to the party with the burden of proof at trial.
. . ."5 The nonmoving party must "'make a showing sufficient to establish the
existence of an element essential to that party's case . . . .'"6 To make a
sufficient showing, "[t]he nonmoving party must set forth specific facts showing a
2CR 56(c).
3 Eicon Constr.. Inc. v. E. Wash. Univ., 174Wn.2d 157, 164, 273 P.3d 965(2012) (quoting Owen v. Burlington N. Santa Fe R.R.. 153 Wn.2d 780, 789, 108
P.3d 1220 (2005)).
4Youngv.KevPharma.. Inc., 112 Wn.2d 216, 225, 770 P.2d 182 (1989).
5kL
6 Id. (guoting Celotex Corp. v. Catrett. 477 U.S. 317,322, 106 S. Ct. 2548,
2552,91 L Ed. 2d 265 (1986)).
No. 68528-7-1/6
genuine issue and cannot rest on mere allegations."7 Once the nonmoving party
has made such a showing, "the evidence and all reasonable inferences
therefrom is considered in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. . . ."8
An appellate court reviews an order granting a motion for summary
judgment de novo, deciding "whether the affidavits, facts, and record have
created an issue of fact and, if so, whether such issue of fact is material to the
cause of action."9
Whether a joint employer relationship exists is a question of statutory
interpretation.10 "The court's 'fundamental objective when interpreting a statute is
to discern and implement the intent ofthe legislature."11
Our state supreme court has repeatedly held that our courts may look to
the federal courts' interpretation of the FLSA for guidance in interpreting the state
MWA.12 Most recently, in Anfinson v. FedEx Ground Package System, Inc., the
7 Baldwin v. Sisters of Providence in Washington, Inc., 112Wn.2d 127,
132, 769 P.2d 298 (1989).
8 Young, 112 Wn.2d at 225-26.
9 Seven Gables Corp. v. MGM / UA Entertainment Co., 106Wn.2d 1, 12,
721 P.2d 1 (1986).
10 See Anfinson v. FedEx Ground Package Svs., Inc., 174 Wn.2d 851,
866, 281 P.3d 289 (2012) (holding that under the MWA, the question of whether
an employee was an independent contractor or an employee was a question of
statutory interpretation).
11 |g\ (quoting Five Corners Family Farmers v. State, 173 Wn.2d 296, 305,
268 P.3d 892 (2011)).
12 Id, at 867; Inniss v. Tandy Corp.. 141 Wn.2d 517, 523, 7 P.3d 807(2000).
No. 68528-7-1/7
supreme court reiterated that directive, stating "[t]he MWA was adopted in 1959.
We have repeatedly recognized that the 'MWA is based on the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938.'"13 Thus, we look to the federal courts' application of the
FLSA to the question of what constitutes joint employment to determine what
constitutes such employment under the MWA, Chapter 49.46.
Under former RCW 49.46.010 (2010), to "'employ' includes to permit to
work . . . ." Moreover, "An '[e]mployer' is any individual or entity 'acting directly or
indirectly in the interest of an employer in relation to an employee.'"14 And, an
"employee" includes any individual employed by an employer.15
The FLSA provides that to "'employ' includes to suffer or permit to work."16
As the supreme court recognized in Anfinson, "[t]he definitions of 'employee' and
'employ' are functionally identical under [the MWA and the FLSA.]"17
"The definition of 'employer' under the FLSA is not limited by the common
law concept of 'employer,' and is to be given an expansive interpretation in order
to effectuate the FLSA's broad remedial purposes."18 Indeed, "[t]he FLSA's
definition of employee has been called the 'broadest definition that has ever been
13 Anfinson. 174 Wn.2d at 867.
14 jd at 867 (quoting former RCW 49.46.010(4) (2010)).
15 Former RCW 49.46.010 (2010).
16 29 U.S.C. § 203(g).
17 id
18 Bonnette, 704 F.2d at 1469 (9th Cir. 1983) (Quoting Real v. Driscoll
Strawberry Assocs., 603 F.2d 748, 754 (9th Cir. 1979)).
No. 68528-7-1/8
included in any one act.'"19 As the United States Supreme Court has recognized,
the FLSA "'contains its own definitions, comprehensive enough to require its
application to many persons and working relationships, which prior to this Act,
were not deemed to fall within an employer-employee category.'"20 Thus, "[t]he
determination of whether an employer-employee relationship exists does not
depend on 'isolated factors but rather upon the circumstances of the whole
activity.'"21
Further, as our supreme court noted in Anfinson, both the MWA and the
FLSA are remedial legislation.22 "As remedial legislation, the MWA is given a
liberal construction; exemptions from its coverage 'are narrowly construed and
applied only to situations which are plainly and unmistakably consistent with the
terms and spirit ofthe legislation.'"23 As the United States Supreme Court said of
the FLSA, "'the Act concerns itself with the correction of economic evils through
OA
remedies which were unknown at common law . . . .'"
19 Torres-Lopez, 111 F.3d at 638 (quoting United States v. Rosenwasser,
323 U.S. 360, 363 n.3, 65 S. Ct. 295, 89 L. Ed. 301 (1945)).
20 Rutherford, 331 U.S. at 729 (quoting Walling v. Portland Terminal Co.,
330 U.S. 148, 150-51, 67 S. Ct. 639, 91 L. Ed. 809 (1947)).
21 Bonnette, 704 F.2d at 1469 (quoting Rutherford. 331 U.S. at 730).
22 Anfinson. 174 Wn.2d at 870.
23 id (quoting Drinkwitzv. Alliant Techsvstems. Inc.. 140 Wn.2d 291, 301,
996 P.2d 582 (2000)) (citations omitted).
24 Rutherford. 331 U.S. at 727 (quoting Walling, 156 F.2d at 516).
8
No. 68528-7-1/9
Under the FLSA, two or more employers may jointly employ someone.25
A joint employment relationship exists:
[w]here the employers are not completely disassociated with
respect to the employment of a particular employee and may be
deemed to share control of the employee, directly or indirectly, by
reason of the fact that one employer controls, is controlled by, or is
under common control with the other employer.1261
Each joint employer is individually responsible for compliance with the
requirements ofthe FLSA.27 To comply with the FLSA an employer must pay its
employees minimum wage and pay an increased salary for any hours of overtime
worked.28
Whether an entity is a joint employer under the FLSA is a question of
law.29 We conclude that the same question under the MWA is also a question of
law.
But, in determining whether an entity is a joint employer, "[t]he existence
and degree of each factor is a question of fact. . . ." under the FLSA.30 Likewise,
25 Bonnette, 704 F.2d at 1469; see also 29 C.F.R. § 791.2 ("A single
individual may stand in the relation of an employee to two or more employers at
the same time under the [FLSA]. . . .").
26 29 C.F.R. § 791.2(b)(3).
27 29 C.F.R. §791.2.
28 RCW 49.46.020; RCW 49.46.140; 29 U.S.C. § 207(a)(1).
29 Torres-Lopez. 111 F.3d at 638.
30 See Anfinson v. FedEx Ground Package System, Inc., 159 Wn. App.
35, 46 n.19, 244 P.3d 32 (2010) (quoting Brock v. Superior Care. Inc., 840 F.2d
1054, 1059 (2d Cir. 1988)).
No. 68528-7-1/10
we conclude that the same rule applies to the existence and degree of the
relevant factors under the MWA.
Here, Expert and Fred Meyer both agree that the economic reality test
governs whether a joint employer relationship exists under the MWA. But
primary disputes between them and the janitors includes what factors comprise
this test and which are relevant to determining the "economic reality" of the
alleged joint employment relationships in this case. Also at issue is whether
there are genuine issues of material fact regarding the existence and degree of
each such factor here.
All parties draw from the different factors applied by the United States
Supreme Court and various federal circuit courts in arguing their respective
positions in this case.31 Despite the variety offactors enunciated by different
31 See, .e.g., Rutherford, 331 U.S. at 730 (outlining a six-factor, non-
exhaustive economic reality test); Zheng, 355 F.3d 61, 66-67, 72 (applying an
economic reality test that examined six different factors, very similar to those
outlined by the Rutherford court: (1) whether the employer's premises and
equipment were used for the purported employees work; (2) whether the
contractor corporation "had a business that could or did shift as a unit from one
putative joint employer to another;" (3) the extent to which the purported
employees performed a discrete line-job that was integral to the employer's
process of production; (4) "whether responsibility under the contracts could pass
from one subcontractor to another without material changes;" (5) the degree to
which the employer or its agents supervised the purported employees work; and
(6) whether the purported employees worked exclusively or predominately for the
employers); Enterprise Rent-A-Car Wage & Hour Employment Practices
Litigation v. Enterprise Holdings, 683 F.3d 462, 469 (3d Cir. 2012) (applying four
factored test to determine status of entity as joint employer that analyzed the
purported employers (1) power to hire and fire the purported employee; (2) its
supervision and control of the employees; (3) its determination of the rate and
method of payment; and (4) its control of employment records); Lavton v. DHL
Express (USA), Inc.. 686 F.3d 1172, 1175-76 (11th Cir. 2012) (summarizing the
six-factor test the Eleventh Circuit has developed); Dep't of Labor Opinion Letter,
10
No. 68528-7-1/11
federal circuit courts, all the federal courts as well as the federal Department of
Labor agree that any one list offactors is not exclusive.32 Rather, "The
determination of an employment relationship [depends]. . . 'upon the
circumstances ofthe whole activity.'"33 This point is central to our disposition of
this case.
We start with consideration of the seminal United States Supreme Court
case addressing the question of joint employment under the FLSA, Rutherford
Food Corp. v. McComb.34 There, Kaiser Packing Company, a slaughterhouse,
hired an experienced meat boner to "assemble a group of skilled [meat] boners
to do the boning at the slaughterhouse."35 "The terms ofthe contract were that
[the meat boner supervisor] should be paid for the work of [meat] boning ... that
Kaiser would furnish a room in its plant for the work . . . [and] that Kaiser would
also furnish [the] barrels for the boned meat. . . ."36
2001 WL 1558966 (outlining six factors that the DOL believes make up the
economic reality test).
32 See Moreau, 356 F.3d at 947 (noting that it had previously considered a
"non-exhaustive" list of factors in assessing joint employment); Barfield v. New
York City Health and Hospitals Corp.. 537 F.3d 132, 142-43 (2d Cir. 2008) ("In so
holding ... we emphasized that '[n]o one of these factors is dispositive,' nor were
they, as a whole, 'exclusive.'") (quoting Brock v. Superior Care, Inc., 840 F.2d
1054, 1058-59 (2d Cir. 1988)); Dep't of Labor Opinion Letter, 2001 WL 1558966.
33 Itzepv. Target Corp., 543 F. Supp. 2d 646, 652 (W.D. Tex. 2008)
(quoting Rutherford, 331 U.S. at 730).
34 331 U.S. 722, 67 S. Ct. 1473, 91 L. Ed. 1772 (1947).
35 \& at 724.
36 Id. at 724-25.
11
No. 68528-7-1/12
The original supervisor eventually left and the work was first taken over
under an oral contract by another meat boner followed by two other individuals
over the course of a year.37 The meat boners owned their own tools.38 The court
also noted that the "slaughterhouse operations, of which the [meat] boning is a
part, are carried on in a series of interdependent steps."39 It was also
"undisputed that the president and manager of Kaiser" observed the meat boning
process several times a day and corrected the meat boners' cuts frequently.40
The Supreme Court held that the meat boners were joint employees of
Kaiser, who owned the slaughterhouse.41 In so holding, the court identified six
relevant factors:
[T]he workers did a specialty job on the production line. The
responsibility under the [meat] boning contracts without material
changes passed from one [meat] boner to another. The premises
and equipment of Kaiser were used for the work. The group had no
business organization that could or did shift as a unit from one
slaughterhouse to another. The managing official of the plant kept
close touch on the operation. While profits to the [meat] boners
depended upon the efficiency of their work, it was more like
piecework than an enterprise that actually depended for success
upon the initiative, judgment or foresight of the typical independent
contractor.[42]
37
14 at 725.
38
Ji
39
Ji
40
i i at 726.
41
Id, at 730.
42
Id.12
No. 68528-7-1/13
The Court also made clear that the evaluation of whether an employment
relationship existed rested "upon the circumstances ofthe whole activity."43
This wording indicates that the test is flexible and depends on the totality of the
circumstances of each case.44
In Torres-Lopez v. May, the Ninth Circuit examined all six of the
Rutherford factors, as well as others it determined were relevant to assessing the
economic reality ofthe employment relationship in that case.45 Thus, central to
the Torres-Lopez test is the doctrine that "[a] court should consider all those
factors which are 'relevant to [the] particular situation' in evaluating the 'economic
reality' of an alleged joint employment relationship under the FLSA."46
There, the Ninth Circuit considered joint employment in the agricultural
setting, examining the FLSA and the Agricultural Worker Protection Act (AWPA).
The court pointed out that "'employ' has the same meaning under the AWPA as
under the FLSA."47 The court then looked to five factors expressed in the AWPA
regulations to help it assess joint employment for farmworkers48 These factors
are:
43 kL (emphasis added).
44 Moreau, 356 F.3d at 950.
45 111 F.3d 633, 639-40 (9th Cir. 1997).
46 id at 639 (some alterations in original) (quoting Bonnette, 704 F.2d at
1470).
47 Ji at 639.
48 id, at 639-40.
13
No. 68528-7-1/14
(A) The nature and degree of control of the workers;
(B) The degree of supervision, direct or indirect, of the work;
(C) The power to determine the pay rates or the methods of
payment of the workers;
(D) The right, directly or indirectly, to hire, fire, or modify the
employment conditions of the workers; [and]
(E) Preparation of payroll and the payment ofwages.[49]
The Torres-Lopez court also examined eight other factors it deemed
important for assessing joint employment.50 The court took the first six
Rutherford factors and then added two factors that it had previously outlined in
Real v. Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc.51
The factors outlined by the Torres-Lopez court were: (1) whether the work
was a "specialty job on the production line"; (2) whether responsibility between a
labor contractor and an employer pass from one labor contractor to another
without material changes; (3) whether the "premises and equipment of the
employer are used for the work"; (4) whether the employees had a "business
organization that could or did shift as a unit from one [worksite] to another"; (5)
whether the work was "piecework" as opposed to work that required "initiative,
judgment or foresight"; (6) whether the employee had an "opportunity for profit or
loss depending upon [the employee's] managerial skill"; (7) whether there was
49 id, (quoting 29 C.F.R. § 500.20(h)(4)(ii)).
50 kL
51 603 F.2d 748 (9th Cir. 1979).
14
No. 68528-7-1/15
"permanence [in] the working relationship"; and (8) whether "'the service
rendered is an integral part ofthe alleged employer's business . . . .'"52
The Torres-Lopez court explained that these eight "factors play an
important role in revealing the economic reality" of the employment relationship.53
They demonstrate "whether a [worker] is economically dependent on the alleged
joint employer."54 The court thus emphasized, again, that what factors were
important in a particular employment situation depended on which revealed the
economic reality ofthe working relationship.55
In its most recent opinion addressing joint employment, Moreau v. Air
France,56 the Ninth Circuit analyzed all thirteen of the Torres-Lopez factors,
looking to both the Torres-Lopez opinion and to an earlier Ninth Circuit joint
employment case. Bonnette v. California Health and Welfare Agency.57 The
Moreau court recognized that the four factors outlined in Bonnette "roughly
correspond to" the five Torres-Lopez factors borrowed from the AWPA.58 It then
52 Torres-Lopez, 111 F.3d at 640 (quoting Rutherford. 331 U.S. at 730;
Real, 603 F.2d at 754).
53 Id.54
Id. at 636.
55 See icL at 641 (noting that "[t]he issue is not whether [an employee] is
more dependent upon the [one employer or another]. Rather, the inquiry must
focus on the economic reality of the particular relationship between the
[employee] and the alleged joint employer").
56 356 F.3d 942 (9th Cir. 2004).
57 704 F.2d 1465 (9th Cir. 1983).
58 Moreau, 356 F.3d at 950.
15
No. 68528-7-1/16
acknowledged that examining only these, without the other eight enunciated by
Torres-Lopez, was too limited an analysis to uncover the economic reality of the
employment situation.59 "[T]he district court's focus on the four Bonnette factors
appealed] a bit narrow . . . ."60 Thus, the Ninth Circuit confirmed that to properly
analyze joint employment, a court must examine ail those factors that are
relevant to the particular situation and aid in evaluating the economic reality of
the alleged joint employment relationship.61
Here, the trial court, in ruling on both summary judgment motions, limited
its consideration of relevant factors to those stated in Bonnette. Doing so
constitutes reversible error.
In its order granting Fred Meyer's motion for summary judgment, the trial
court acknowledged that it focused on only the Bonnette factors, rather than also
examining those enunciated in Torres-Lopez. It reasoned as follows:
because the [Torres-Lopez] factors seem to apply more to the
[Moreaul case and that type of thing. The production tine is one of
the things they talk about. And also they seem to find more where
the plaintiff's work is an integral part of business.
I know the plaintiffs are asserting that the janitorial work is
integral at Fred Meyer, but. . . [i]t's not an integral part of their
business.
59 ii ("P~]ne Bonnette considerations are overly restrictive in the FMLA
joint employer context, as an 'indirect' or 'secondary' employer will almost never
satisfy these criteria, which are more the responsibilities of the 'primary'
employer.").
60 id, at 953.
61 Id.16
No. 68528-7-1/17
So that is why I think I focused more on the Bonnette factors,
and particularly the factors that we are all discussing today, which
is the issue of control over the employees ... ."[62]
Additionally, in its order granting Expert's motion for summary judgment,
the court stated that "[t]here is no genuine issue of material fact on the issue of
whether Expert was Plaintiffs' joint employer.... Specifically, the Court
concludes that Expert was not Plaintiffs' joint employer under the test set forth in
Bonnette . .. ,"63
By limiting its analysis to the Bonnette factors, the trial court not only
disregarded the expansive nature of the definition of employment under the
FLSA and MWA, but it also ignored the factors the United States Supreme Court
enunciated in Rutherford.64 Further, it failed to address the broad language of
the Ninth Circuit and other federal circuits regarding the factors to be applied to
determine joint employment.65 Thus, the trial court's limited examination was
incorrect.
There is an additional reason that the trial court's limited analysis of the
janitors' employment relationship with Fred Meyer and Expert was incorrect. The
trial court indicated that it limited its analysis to the Bonnette factors in part
because it felt the other factors applied more to "production line" type jobs. But
62 Report of Proceedings (Sept. 2, 2011) at 36-37.
63 Clerk's Papers at 2263.
64 See Moreau, 356 F.3d at 953 (noting that the district court's focus on
the Bonnette factors "appears a bit narrow"); Rutherford, 331 U.S. at 730.
65 See Moreau, 356 F.3d at 953.
17
No. 68528-7-1/18
we live in an economy that is shifting away from production line jobs. As the
Bureau of Labor Statistics noted recently, "[t]he majority of output growth [in the
economy] is projected to come from the service-providing sectors."66 If our
courts were to limit their full examinations of potential joint employment
relationships to "production line" jobs, employers in the fastest growing sectors of
our economy would be insulated from complying with the requirements of the
MWA and FLSA. This runs counter to the remedial purposes of both acts.
Expert argues that the trial court did consider factors outside those
outlined in Bonnette, but this is belied by the record, as we just discussed.
Expert also asserts that the correct joint employment test to determine the
economic reality as to joint employment is, primarily, the Bonnette factors. Fred
Meyer contends that only the Bonnette test need be applied, arguing that
additional factors considered by other courts "do not apply to 'run-of-the-mill
subcontracting relationships.'"67 But neither argument is correct, as ourabove
analysis makes clear.
Additionally, Expert argues that the janitors waived any right to argue that
both the Bonnette and Torres-Lopez factors are important when assessing the
existence of joint employment. Expert contends that the janitors agreed with its
limited framing of the joint employment factors that should be applied.
66 Henderson, Richard, Employment Outlook: 2010-2020 - Industry
Employment and Output Projections to 2020 available at
http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2012/01/art4full.pdf (last visited on 8/6/2013)).
67 Respondent/Defendant Fred Meyer's Appeal Brief at 29-31 (quoting
Zheng, 355 F.3d 61 at 74).
18
No. 68528-7-1/19
This argument is not supported by the record. In its opposition to Expert's
Motion for Summary Judgment, the janitors stated:
Plaintiffs . . . disagree with defendant's assertion that:
'Under the FLSA, courts determine whether a particular entity is a
joint employer using the 'economic reality' test described in
Bonnette
The Ninth Circuit test relied upon by Expert began with Bonnette . .
. . However, the Ninth Circuit in Torres-Lopez . . . and Moreau . . .
made it clear that the Bonnette analysis was not limited to the four
[Bonnette factorsl.[68]
Thus, before the trial court, the janitors argued that to properly assess the
economic reality of the janitors' relationship with Expert, the trial court had to look
beyond those factors stated in Bonnette.
Finally, Expert argues that failure to meet any of the Bonnette factors is
conclusive that there is no joint employment relationship, and a court need not
look to the Torres-Lopez factors. This is not the law. As we explained previously
in this opinion, a court must examine all relevant factors that may reveal the
economic reality of the employment relationship.69
68 Clerk's Papers at 2025-26.
69 See Moreau, 356 F.3d at 953; Zheng, 355 F.3d at 69 (noting that while
the Bonnette factors "can be sufficient to establish employer status[,]... a
positive finding on those four factors is [not] necessary to establish an
employment relationship."); Barfield, 537 F.3d at 143 (noting with approval the
court's prior holding in Carter v. Dutchess Community College, that, "while
satisfaction of the four factors . . . 'can be sufficient to establish employment]
status,' we [have] never held 'that a positive finding on those four factors is
necessary to establish an employment relationship."' (quoting Carter v. Dutchess
Community College. 735 F.2d 8, 69 (2d Cir. 1984))).
19
No. 68528-7-1/20
Fred Meyer argues that this court should not look to cases that involve an
examination of the Agricultural Workers Projection Act, such as Torres-Lopez. It
relies on an Eleventh Circuit case, Lavton v. DHL Express (USA), Inc.. for this
assertion.70 But the court in Lavton explicitly adopted the factors outlined in a
case that examined both the AWPA and the FLSA.71 Thus, Lavton does not
support Fred Meyer's arguments that cases, such as Torres-Lopez, involving
FLSA and AWPA should not be considered here.
Further, as the federal district court stated in Lemus v. Timberland
Apartments, LLC, the first five Torres-Lopez factors are not only applicable in
AWPA cases.72 "In fact, many of the cases relied upon by [the defendant] are
non-AWPA cases where the courts investigate indirect control. . . . Moreover,
the text of the FLSA and its implementing regulations both require courts to
-7*1
consider indirect control in determining whether an entity is an employer."
Fred Meyer also argues that the janitors "confuse the economic reality test
for joint employment with [that used in] independent contractorcases." It is true
that many of the factors outlined by the Torres-Lopez court also apply to
differentiating between independent contractors and employees.74 But this does
70 686 F.3d 1172 (11th Cir. 2012).
71 id, at 1177.
72 2011 WL 7069078, at 9 (Dec. 21, 2011).
73 Id.74 See United States v. Silk. 331 U.S. 704, 67 S. Ct. 1463, 91 L. Ed. 1757(1947) (considering factors such as degree of control, opportunities for profit or
20
No. 68528-7-1/21
not mean that these factors are inapplicable here, or that they should not be
examined to help a court assess the economic reality of the relationships here.
The janitors argue that, because all defendants deny being her employer,
the independent contractor test developed in Anfinson is also applicable here.
But the real question is whether either or both of these employers was a joint
employer. The defendants' denials of joint employment do not alter the legal
question before this court.
The janitors also contend that this court should examine all the factors
enunciated by various federal appellate courts, as well as those outlined by the
DOL, to determine whether either Fred Meyer or Expert is a joint employer. Our
holding is that the trial court's consideration of relevant factors was too narrow.
On remand, the trial court shall consider what factors are appropriate to
determine the economic reality of the parties' relationship.
Status of Fred Meyer
The janitors argue that the trial court erred when it granted Fred Meyer's
motion for summary judgment, determining as a matter of law that it was not a
joint employer. While they conceded that Fred Meyer did not maintain the
janitors' employment records, they argue that there were genuine issues of
material fact with respect to all other factors. We substantially agree.
Here, the janitors presented sufficient evidence to create genuine issues
of material fact with respect to at least two factors: Fred Meyer's indirect
loss, investment in facilities, permanency of work, and skill required in assessing
whether individual is employee or independent contractor).
21
No. 68528-7-1/22
supervision and control of their work and its control of their employment
conditions. Further, Fred Meyer conceded, as it had to, that the janitors worked
at Fred Meyer stores, and thus that its "premises and equipment"75 were used for
the janitors work. Because the joint employment test is not one of tallying
factors, but one designed to analyze the true economic reality of the employment
arrangement, the genuine issues of material fact with respect to these factors
were sufficient to withstand summary judgment.
Fred Meyer does not contest, nor can it, that the janitors' work was done
at a Fred Meyer's store, where Fred Meyer employees were better able than
Expert or All Janitorial to "prevent labor law violations." Though Fred Meyer
delegated hiring and supervisory responsibilities to others to "focus on the 'core
competency' of directing retail operations," the system in place still meant that
the janitors worked at Fred Meyer stores and were supervised by Fred Meyer
employees. Thus, as in Torres-Lopez, Fred Meyer was in the best position to
observe the janitors' work. Further, as in Torres-Lopez. Fred Meyer invested in
equipment that the janitors used. These facts create genuine issues of material
fact as to Fred Meyer's position as a joint employer.
Fred Meyer was the organization that came closest to supervising the
janitors on a day-to-day basis. The supervision and control factor is not
necessarily a question of direct supervision, but of indirect supervision and
control.76 As the district court in Lemus noted, "the text of the FLSA and its
75 See Torres-Lopez, 111 F.3d at 640.
76 See Lemus v. Timberland Apartments, LLC. 2011 WL 7069078, at * 9.
22
No. 68528-7-1/23
implementing regulations both require courts to consider indirect control in
determining whether an entity is an employer."77
In Lemus. the court held that Polygon, the purported joint employer,
exerted indirect control through a combination of setting the master
construction schedule, dictating permissible work hours, providing
and managing the flow of necessary construction materials, and
supervising JC Builders' framing work in a manner that undercut JC
Builders' ability to manage the daily tasks of its employees.1781
This indirect control is akin to that exerted by Fred Meyer here.
As the janitors note, every janitor testified that she or he was supervised
by a Fred Meyer employee. One explained this belief, noting that "[b]ecause [at]
the time . . . [when] we were supposed to leave [a Fred Meyer manager or
employee] would take the form from me. They would go with me through all the
store, and they would not let me go until they would sign the order, the form."79
And, multiple janitors testified that, though they might contact Marcos Flores, the
All Janitorial supervisor, when the equipment broke down, he rarely came into
the store to supervise their work. Thus, there was a genuine issue of material
fact whether Fred Meyer employees or managers had indirect supervision and
control of the janitors' work.
Further supporting Fred Meyer's indirect control of the employers is its
indirect control over firing or modifying the janitors' employment. Evidence from
77 !g\ (citing 29 U.S.C. § 203(d) and 29 C.F.R. § 791.2(b)).
78ip\at*10.
79 Clerk's Papers at 351, 385-86, 1032 ("Our shift was supposed to end at
7:00 in the morning, but we could not go home until our Fred Meyer manager
inspected our work, we made any corrections and they signed us out.").
23
No. 68528-7-1/24
the janitors create a genuine issue of material fact with respect to Fred Meyer's
indirect power to alter the janitors' employment. Chaban, the owner of All
Janitorial, testified that Expert told him "there should be personnel changes as a
result of dissatisfaction" on the part of either Expert or Fred Meyer. An e-mail
between Chaban and an Expert employee reflected that employment changes
were requested by Fred Meyer. And, when janitors were caught stealing Fred
Meyer merchandise and its security guards trespassed those individuals from the
store, Fred Meyer would contact Expert and instruct it to remove the janitor from
working in its stores. Expert then relayed the message to All Janitorial, "telling it
that the janitor can no longer work on the Fred Meyer contract."80 At the very
least, this request from Fred Meyer, communicated through Expert, resulted in an
alteration of a janitor's employment situation.
There is also evidence in the record that may create genuine issues of
material fact with respect to several other factors, including the permanence of
the janitors' employment at Fred Meyer and whether the janitors' work required
initiative, judgment, orforesight.81 We defer to the trial court on remand to
consider this evidence.
We do note, however, that given that the factors we have enunciated are a
non-exhaustive list, the trial court may examine other factors, not previously
applied, in determining whether Fred Meyer was a joint employer of the janitors.
80
Id. at 71.
81 id at 1222, 1233, 1988, 2068 (acknowledging that "the work performed
by plaintiffs did not require significant initiative and judgment").
24
No. 68528-7-1/25
Specifically, it may analyze whether the evidence presented by the janitors
supports their assertion that the system of employment adopted here is a
"subterfuge or sham structure [meant] to avoid FLSA obligations."82 Here, Fred
Meyer's potential knowledge of the janitors' overtime work and the possibility that
the two tiered contractor model was adopted to save money and avoid
compliance with fair labor laws are potentially demonstrative of such a sham.
Fred Meyer persuasively argues that the janitors failed to present genuine
issues of material fact regarding any relevant factors. First, it contends that it did
not indirectly supervise the janitors, arguing that it "paid Expert to clean its stores,
so its store directors and other supervisors could focus on Fred Meyer's core
mission: retail sales." But, as the testimony of the janitors demonstrates, even if
this was the original intention of outsourcing the work of the janitors, it is a
genuine issue of material fact whether the janitors were, in the end, supervised
by Fred Meyer. Though Fred Meyer points out that All Janitorial trained the
janitors, assigned them to the store, and transferred them if that need occurred,
these facts do not negate the testimony of the janitors regarding daily supervision
by Fred Meyer.
Fred Meyer also argues that because the janitors only interacted with Fred
Meyer employees only after they had finished cleaning, its employees were not
technically supervisors. It notes that its "night stockers repeatedly reported
seeing janitors sleeping in Fred Meyer stores, but Fred Meyer store directors did
nothing about these complaints." Instead of supervision, Fred Meyer employees
82 Barfield. 537 F.3d at 145-46 (citing Zheng. 355 F.3d at 72, 76).
25
No. 68528-7-1/26
were providing "contractual warranties of quality and time of delivery" which has
"no bearing on the joint employment inquiry."83
We disagree. Here, there is testimony in the record that the janitors could
not leave for the day until the Fred Meyer managers approved the work they had
done. Thus, this supervision altered the hours the janitors were expected to
work. For purposes of summary judgment, this should not be considered as
merely "maintaining compliance with contractual warranties." Nor should the fact
that the janitors were allowed to "sleep on the job" matter if the janitors could be
detained by Fred Meyer managers before they could leave in the morning. This
is particularly true where there were no other employers supervising the janitors'
day-to-day work.
Finally, the trial court, in granting its motion for summary judgment, found
it important that none of the janitors could name the Fred Meyer employees who
checked their work, and that none of the Fred Meyer store managers spoke
Spanish, while all the janitors did. But neither of these factors negates the
genuine issues of material fact as to Fred Meyer's supervision.
Not knowing the name of an individual or not speaking the same language
does not preclude supervision. As testimony in the record indicated, the janitors
and managers would communicate through rudimentary words and signals,
which was sufficient to communicate what areas needed to be cleaned further
before the janitors departed.
83 Id Respondent/Defendant Fred Meyer's Appeal Brief at 37 (quoting
Zheng. 355 F.3d at 75).
26
No. 68528-7-1/27
Nor was it imperative, or even demonstrative of the lack of a joint
employment relationship, that the janitors did not know the Fred Meyer
employees' names. Some did not know Marcos Flores or Chaban's names,
either, but it is not disputed that their organization, All Janitorial, employed the
janitors.
As to its indirect ability to alter the janitors' employment, Fred Meyer
argues that any requests that All Janitorial or All American remove janitors from
working at its stores does not amount to indirect control to fire or alter the
employment conditions of a worker. It points to the fact that if it had caught other
Fred Meyer employees stealing merchandise, these employees would have been
treated differently than the janitors were treated. But, just because Fred Meyer
treated its employees differently does not negate the genuine issue of material
fact the janitors present regarding Fred Meyer's indirect control of their
employment.
Fred Meyer also points to the testimony of a former Fred Meyer manager
stating that in some instances, janitors who had stolen merchandise from one
Fred Meyer store were then transferred by All Janitorial to another Fred Meyer
location. In view of the evidence discussed above, this particular evidence does
not eliminate the existence of a genuine issue of material fact.
Fred Meyer highlights the testimony that All Janitorial or All American fired
four janitors. It asserts that this testimony indicates that there is no genuine
issue of material fact as to Fred Meyer's control of the janitors' working
conditions. But the fact that the Fred Meyer's requests were communicated
27
No. 68528-7-1/28
through another organization does not mean that its indirect control of the
janitors' employment is not a genuine issue of material fact.
Fred Meyer also argues, for the first time on appeal, that the testimony of
one of the janitors, Alma Becerra, regarding her termination is inadmissible
hearsay and thus may not be considered. Because Fred Meyer did not raise this
argument below, it is procedurally barred.84
Fred Meyer also contends that a recommendation as to firing an individual
does not amount to control over hiring and firing. It relies on Lepkowski v.
Telatron Marketing.85 There, the district court concluded that the amended
complaint did:
not allege ... or even inferential^ support the contention that [Bank
of America] itself posses[ed] the power to discipline Telatron
employees ....
In the absence of any allegation that [Bank of America] had
any control over the hiring and firing of Telatron employees, this
factor cuts against joint [employment].1861
But, the federal district court's interpretation of this factor is more restrictive than
that expressed by the Ninth Circuit in Torres-Lopez. There, the court stated that
"[t]he district court did not attribute much significance to [the supervision ofthe
farmworkers] because it concluded that any control exercised by Bear Creek
Farms was exercised indirectly. The regulations expressly state, however, that
indirect control as well as direct control can demonstrate a joint employment
84 RAP 9.12.
85 766 F. Supp. 2d 572, 578 (W.D. Pa. 2011).
86 Id
28
No. 68528-7-1/29
relationship."87 Though this was in the context ofthe AWPA regulations, the
Department of Labor expressed in its 2001 opinion letter that this rationale also
applies to FLSA cases.88 There, the DOL asked whether an employer had the
power, whether alone, jointly, directly, or indirectly "to hire or fire or modify the
employment conditions ofthe individual. . . ."89 Thus, Fred Meyer's argument
fails.
Finally, Fred Meyer argues that its decision to contract out its janitorial
work is the "legitimate type of subcontracting arrangement" allowed under the
FLSA and the MWA.90 But, the janitors presented sufficient evidence to create a
genuine issue of material fact for the trial court as to this potential factor.
Status of Expert
The janitors argue that the trial court erred when it concluded, primarily on
the basis of the Bonnette factors, that Expert was not their joint employer as a
matter of law. While the janitors conceded that Expert did not maintain
employment records, or determine the janitors' rate and method of payment, they
argue that there are genuine issues of material fact with respect to all other
factors. Because the trial court erred by limiting its analysis of whether a joint
employment relationship existed to four factors, and because there are genuine
87 Torres-Lopez, 111 F.3d at 642-43.
88 Dep't of Labor Opinion Letter, 2001 WL 1558966.
89 id
90 Respondent/Defendant Fred Meyer's Appeal Brief at 41 (citing Zheng.
355F.3dat72).
29
No. 68528-7-1/30
issues of material fact with respect to a number of the relevant joint employment
factors, we agree.
First, Expert concedes the existence of several factors, one of which is
that the janitors' work was an integral part of its janitorial business. This is
significant. As the United States Supreme Court stated in Rutherford, "[w]here
the work done, in its essence, follows the usual path of an employee, putting an
'independent contractor' [or non-employee] label does not take the worker from
the protection" ofthe FLSA.91
Second, Expert also acknowledged that the janitors' work required little
initiative, judgment, or foresight, and that the janitors had little opportunity for
profit or loss.
Third, as with Fred Meyer, there is a genuine issue of material fact
whether Expert had the power to fire or alter the employment conditions of All
Janitorial and All American workers.
Chaban, the owner of All Janitorial, testified as follows:
Q: Was it ever communicated to you, either directly by Fred
Meyer, by Susan [Vermeer, Expert's western regional Vice
President] or by the district managers, that there should be
personnel changes as a result of dissatisfaction?
A: Yes.
Q: Can you give me ... an example of how that would
happen and what happened then.
A: If something would be stolen, I would be asked to replace
the personnel. They didn't show up. Or just a bad job,
continuously.
91 Rutherford. 331 U.S. at 729.
30
No. 68528-7-1/31
Q: And when you were asked to do it, did you take that to
be simply a suggestion or did you think it was stronger than a
suggestion?
A: Stronger.
Q: And typically, if it were suggested that a person be let go,
was it your practice, then, to let them go?
A: Yes [92]
The record includes an email exchange between Vermeer and Chaban that
supports Chaban's testimony.93 Vermeer emailed Chaban to request that he "do
what ever [sic]" he had to stop the theft of Fred Meyer merchandise by janitors.94
Chaban replied,
Susan, thank you for understanding this. We called an
emergency meeting today with all FM people to talk about this
issue. I will also create a black list of people that are non hirable to
make sure these people never come back to FM stores or any
other in my company for that matter.[95]
Vermeer then responded:
I really appreciate what you are trying to do. . . . Please
forward me your black list so I can help assure these people are
also not getting hired by any other [service provider] in our market,
thanks [sic] again. I am told the guy at shelton [sic] signed a pay
note for over 3000![96]
92 Clerk's Papers at 238.
93 id at 1395-96.
94 id at 1396.
95 id at 1395.
96 Id.
31
No. 68528-7-1/32
This exchange creates a genuine issue of material fact as to Expert's control
over firing or altering the employment conditions of the janitors.
Fourth, there was a genuine issue of material fact whether the janitors'
employment was "permanent," as that word is defined by Black's Law
Dictionary.97 "Permanent employment" is defined as "Work that, under a
contract, is to continue indefinitely until either party wishes to terminate it for
some legitimate reason."98 Therewas no evidence in the record that the janitors'
work for Expert was limited to a specific amount of time. Thus, the permanency
of their employment is a genuine issue of material fact.
Finally, the janitors presented evidence that the contract between Expert
and the janitors' direct employer passed "from one subcontractor to another
without material changes"99 when the contract shifted from All Janitorial to All
American.
Because the janitors were able to produce sufficient evidence to create
genuine issues of material fact as to the economic reality of their employment
relationship with Expert, the trial court erred in granting Expert's motion for
summary judgment.
Expert argues that, because all the janitors testified that Marcos Flores
fired them, any other testimony as to its indirect control to alter the janitors'
employment is negated. Though Flores communicated the decision of who to
97 Black's Law Dictionary (5th ed. 1979) at 605.
98 Id
"Zheng, 355 F.3d at 74.
32
No. 68528-7-1/33
fire to all janitors, this does not explain who made the employment decisions.
And the email exchange between Chaban and Vermeer belies Expert's claim that
"[t]he Service Provider is free to move the janitor to work on other contracts it has
with other customers."100
Vermeer and Expert dispute whether Vermeer or any other Expert
supervisors directed All Janitorial to fire or alter the employment conditions of the
janitors. But such a dispute constitutes a genuine issue of material fact that
should not be resolved on summary judgment.
Expert also argues that the fact that it "passed along Fred Meyer requests
to remove particular workers from the contract" does not amount to the power to
fire or alter employment conditions. It cites Flores v. Albertson's. Inc. to support
this proposition. Flores is an unpublished case, so we do not consider it any
further.101 In any event, as we have previously noted, indirect ability to fire
should be examined as well as a direct ability.102
Expert argues, relying in part on Zheng v. Liberty Apparel Co.. Inc..103 that
the factor regarding the initiative and judgment required of a job is truly an
examination of whether a job is "piecework." Thus, it argues it is more useful for
100 Brief of Respondent Expert, LLC at 22.
101 See GR 14.1(b).
102 Dep't of Labor Opinion Letter, 2001 WL 1558966 (2001); see also
Lavton. 686 F.3d at 1176 (applying the factors, including "[t]he right, directly or
indirectly, to hire, fire, or modify the employment conditions of the workers . . . .").
103 355 F.3d 61 (2d Cir. 2003).
33
No. 68528-7-1/34
determining whether employees are independent contractors or employees.104
But, as noted above, the Zheng court concluded that this factor could be
significant if:
plaintiffs can prove that, as a historical matter, a contracting device
has developed in response to and as a means to avoid applicable
labor laws, the prevalence of that device may, in particular
circumstances, be attributable to widespread evasion of labor
laws.[105]
Because the janitors produced evidence that at least created a genuine issue of
material fact as to this layered subcontracting practice being an attempt to evade
labor laws, Expert's argument is not persuasive for purposes of summary
judgment.
Expert also contends that the janitors "concede that they did not perform
'a specialty job on the production line,'" but it does not cite to any actual
concession made by the janitors.106 We reject this unsupported argument.
Additionally, Expert argues that the janitors' work was not permanent
because the "length of time Plaintiffs worked . . . varied widely from Plaintiff to
Plaintiff, ranging from just nine weeks to 18 months "107 But this factor
appears to be an examination not of how long one worker stayed in a position,
but how long it was possible for that worker to do so. Thus, in Torres-Lopez, the
104 Brief of Respondent Expert Janitorial, LLC at 32 (citing Zheng. 355
F.3d at 67-68).
105 Zheng. 355 F.3d at 73-74.
106 Brief of Respondent Expert Janitorial, LLC at 29.
107 id at 33.
34
No. 68528-7-1/35
court agreed with the district court that there was no permanence in the working
relationship "because the farmworkers only harvested for Bear Creek Farms for
thirty-two days in 1992."108 There, it appears that the harvest season was limited
to thirty-two days.
Here, however, unlike an independent contractor, the janitors were hired
to work indefinitely as janitors. Consequently, the variation in length of time each
individual plaintiff worked does not invalidate the evidence presented to meet this
factor.
Expert argues that its concession that the janitors' work was integral to its
business "does not outweigh the numerous significant factors discussed above,
which weigh heavily against finding a joint employer relationship."109 But, as we
have previously noted, the test for joint employment is not meant to be one of
tallying up which factors support or do not support such a relationship. Rather,
the factors should be analyzed to help determine the economic reality of the
relationship. Thus, Expert's argument is unconvincing particularly in the context
of summary judgment.
EVIDENCE ON SUMMARY JUDGMENT MOTIONS
Fred Meyer and Expert argue that we should not consider portions of the
record on appeal. Because the trial court considered both the declaration and
108 Torres-Lopez. 111 F.3d at 644.
109 Brief of Respondent Expert Janitorial, LLC at 34 (quoting Moreau. 356
F.3dat952).
35
No. 68528-7-1/36
deposition to which they object and there is no merit to their arguments, we
disagree.
First, Fred Meyer argues that the declaration of John Ezzo, the janitors'
expert on outsourcing in the janitorial industry, is inadmissible. Fred Meyer did
not move to strike Ezzo's declaration in the trial court. "Failure to make such a
motion waives deficiency in the affidavit if any exists."110 Thus, it did not
preserve below any objection to admissibility of that document.
Additionally, Fred Meyer did not cross appeal the court's admission of that
document, a decision adverse to its interest below. Thus, Fred Meyer has
waived any argument as to the admissibility of Ezzo's declaration.
Second, Expert also argues that we should disregard Ezzo's declaration
because he makes no showing that he is an expert and his declaration has
nothing "to do with the joint employment issue . . . ."111 But Expert also failed to
move to strike the declaration below. Likewise, it did not cross appeal the
admissibility of that document. For these reasons, Expert has also waived any
argument as to the admissibility of that document.
Finally, Expert argues that one of Chaban's depositions should also be
disregarded because the janitors obtained itwithout providing Expert notice. The
trial court reviewed this argument and rejected it. As with Expert's argument
regarding Ezzo's declaration, its argument regarding Chaban's deposition was
110 Lamon v. McDonnell Douglas Corp.. 91 Wn.2d 345, 352, 588 P.2d
1346(1979).
111 Brief of Respondent Expert Janitorial, LLC at 35-36.
36
No. 68528-7-1/37
waived because it did not cross appeal the trial court's decision. Thus, Chaban's
deposition is properly before this court.
OTHER MATTERS
Motions to Designate Additional Clerk's Papers
We also have before us various motions and arguments that we should
allow the designation of additional clerk's papers to the record on appeal. For
the following reasons, we deny all these motions.
Expert moved, pursuant to RAP 9.6 and 9.10, to designate additional
clerk's papers. Under RAP 9.6(a), "a party may supplement the designation [of
clerk's papers] only by order of the appellate court, upon motion." Additionally,
under RAP 9.10, "[i]f the record is not sufficiently complete to permit a decision
on the merits of the issues presented for review," a party may move to
supplement the record. However, RAP 9.12 provides that "[o]n review of an
order granting or denying a motion for summary judgment the appellate court will
consider only evidence and issues called to the attention of the trial court."
Here, Expert has submitted two motions to designate specific sections of
the court record from Lucio. et al. v. All Janitorial, et al. as part of the record in
this case. Lucio is a related lawsuit filed in federal court against Chaban and All
Janitorial for wage and hour violations. Expert represents that it did not include
these documents in its initial designation of documents for the record because it
had no knowledge of them when filing its brief. Fred Meyer has also submitted
two memorandums in support of these motions.
37
No. 68528-7-1/38
The janitors oppose these motions. But they argue, in the alternative, that
they should be allowed to designate additional materials from the Lucio case for
the record on appeal.
Because none of the materials that the parties seek to add to the record
were before the trial court when it made its two rulings and because there is no
persuasive argument why they should be included despite the plain language of
RAP 9.12, we deny the motions.
Striking Portions of Expert's Brief
In their brief, the janitors moved to strike portions of Expert's brief that
reference the Lucio bankruptcy proceedings. Expert responds that the motion is
procedurally improper under RAP 10.4(d) and 17.4(d).
We deny the motion to strike. This court is aware of what is properly
before us and what is not. We have not considered material that is not properly
before us in deciding this case.
ATTORNEY FEES
The janitors seek an award of attorney fees on appeal, pursuant to RCW
49.46.090 and 49.48.030. Such an award is premature.
RCW 49.46.090 of the MWA and 49.48.030 of the wage statute provide
for attorney fees to be awarded to employees' who are successful in recovering
judgmentfor wages owed by employers. Because there has not yet been a final
38
No. 68528-7-1/39
determination regarding the janitors' claims, we deny their request without
prejudice to them seeking fees from the proper court at the proper time.112
We reverse the trial court's orders granting summary judgment to both
Expert and Fred Meyer and remand for further proceedings.
Qta,T.
WE CONCUR:
MAA A
112 See Anfinson, 159Wn. App. at 73-74 (noting that it was not proper to
award attorney fees because "there has been no judgment for wages under the
MWA" and no final determination made in the case).
39