A 27-year-old Pennsylvania woman is suing the franchiser of a McDonald’s at which she worked because she was required to receive her wages through a special debit card that charged fees –fees she says resulted in her receiving less than minimum wage for her labor.
The woman, Natalie Gunshannon, said she received wages through the JPMorgan Chase Payroll Card, “which has a $1.50 fee for ATM withdrawals, a $10 inactivity fee after 90 days, and a 75 cent online payment fee per transaction and other fees,” according to a report by ABC News.
From the news report:
Gunshannon, who filed a lawsuit in the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas, is hoping to have her case certified as a class action on behalf of the other employees who were paid with the Payroll card.
“It’s a violation of the law,” said Gunshannon’s attorney, Michael Cefalo. “They’re entitled to a choice to be paid in cash or check. Fees connected to this debit card which employees have to pay to get their wages which is unfair.”
Gunshannon said she asked her employer if she could receive her wages through direct deposit at her credit union, which she said did not accept payments through the payroll card. She is suing under the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Act for unjust enrichment.
“Payroll debit cards offer real benefits for workers who are accustomed to cashing paychecks at check cashers, including meaningful cost savings, greater security and the convenience of an electronic payment option,” said Timothy Flacke, executive director of the nonprofit Doorways to Dreams Fund, told ABC News.