In re Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.
829 F. Supp. 2d 1376
J.P.M.L.2011Background
- Plaintiffs move under 28 U.S.C. §1407 to centralize four actions listed in Schedule A involving Dollar Tree wage-and-hour claims.
- Dollar Tree opposed centralization, initially favoring transfer under §1404 to the Eastern District of Virginia; later urged §1407 centralization there.
- All actions allege off-the-clock work and overtime violations under the FLSA and state wage-hour laws in CO, FL, GA, and TX.
- The first-filed SD Florida action is administratively closed; §1404 motions are pending in the remaining actions.
- Panel considered but rejected §1407 centralization as unnecessary given potential informal coordination and §1404 options.
- Panel emphasized cooperation among parties and courts to avoid duplicative discovery and inconsistent rulings; noted related actions in MI and ND IL and a settled TX action.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether §1407 centralization is warranted. | Heyburn: centralization is appropriate due to common factual issues. | Dollar Tree: §1404 transfer or informal coordination better to reduce inefficiency. | Centralization denied; §1407 not warranted. |
| Whether informal coordination or §1404 transfer should replace §1407 centralization. | Heyburn favors coordination relying on shared counsel to avoid duplicative discovery. | Dollar Tree supports §1404 transfer where appropriate to streamline proceedings. | Prefer informal coordination or §1404 transfer to §1407 centralization. |
Key Cases Cited
- In re CVS Caremark Corp. Wage and Hour Emp’t. Practices Litig., 684 F.Supp.2d 1377 (J.P.M.L.2010) (informal coordination can limit duplicative discovery and inconsistent rulings)
- In re Boehringer Ingelheim Pharm., Inc., Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Litig., 763 F.Supp.2d 1377 (J.P.M.L.2011) (informal coordination and coordination among plaintiffs’ counsel)
- In re Rite Aid Corp. Wage and Hour Emp’t Practices Litig., 655 F.Supp.2d 1376 (J.P.M.L.2009) (considerations for centralization vs. other avenues)
- In re Republic Western Ins. Co. Ins. Coverage Litig., 206 F.Supp.2d 1364 (J.P.M.L.2002) (centralization should be last resort after exploring other options)
- In re Best Buy Co., Inc., California Song-Beverly Credit Card Act Litig., 2011 WL 3648515 (J.P.M.L.Aug. 16, 2011) (centralization should be last resort after considering §1404)
- In re Equinox Fitness Wage and Hour Emp’t Practices Litig., 764 F.Supp.2d 1347 (J.P.M.L 2011) (centralization outside plaintiffs’ chosen forum requires justification)