First Group America Class Action Settlement of Fair Credit Reporting Act FCRA Class Action Lawsuits Against First Transit and First Student.
A class action settlement has been reached in class action lawsuits against First Transit (“First Transit”) and First Student (“First Student”) (collectively “Defendants”), subsidiaries of First Group America (“First Group America” or “First Group”) in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging, among other things, that Defendants obtained criminal background checks about drivers and job applicants of First Transit (which employs mass-transit drivers) and First Student (which employs school bus drivers) without their written authorization and in some cases denied them jobs without providing them a copy of their criminal background report, purportedly in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act FCRA, according to First Group, First Transit & First Student Fair Credit Reporting Act FCRA class action settlement news reports.
The First Group, First Transit & First Student Fair Credit Reporting Act FCRA class action settlement reportedly provides that participating eligible class members will share in about $4.3 million of an overall $5.9 million settlement. The settlement reportedly provides that:
- Each worker terminated by either company based on an unauthorized criminal background check report could receive $2,000 to $4,000.
- Each worker terminated by either company based on a criminal background check report without first receiving a copy of that report will receive $750.
- Each worker who was the subject of an unauthorized criminal background report, but who continued to work for either company, likely will receive between $150 and $300.
For more information on the First Group FCRA class action settlement, visit the class action settlement website:
www.FirstGroupFCRASettlement.com
If You Have Thoughts On The First Group, First Transit & First Student Fair Credit Reporting Act FCRA Class Action Lawsuit Settlement, Share Your Class Action Settlement Comments Below.
as someone who worked for first student for over a year and being fired over a background check that had them same thing on it as i put on the application this is a great day that they are having to pay
hello drake the same thing happened to me they told me in april that i was being fired but they kept me until the last day of school cause they had no one to cover my run.
After they used me to finish off the school yr i was fired…i was with the company 9 yrs and they new about my situation before hand and allowed me to work there…Corp knew about all of it..i have a family to take care of and i had to down grade to a lower paying job…i have been a driver for 20yr and i do get the pay im worth. I hope we all get what we deserve….MAKE THEM PAY
I have to say that by working with the attorneys as a named plaintiff on this case, that they have worked extra hard on making sure that former employees can find peace after all that’s been done. It’s not exactly what’s deserved, but is so much more than you were expecting to see. I just hope people take this as learning experience the next time an employer misuses their personal information.
This shocking story shows once again how important it is for employers to obtain consent before conducting employment background checks. It’s amazing to think that there are companies out there neglecting this simple first step. Unfortunate if First Student is proven to be one of them. Equally unfortunate to hear that they may have neglected to follow FCRA responsibilities concerning pre-adverse and adverse action notifications. Background screening is an important part of the hiring process but it’s got to be done fairly and legally. Our company, Proforma Screening, recently published our opinion on the First Student settlement claim. Your readers may be interested in reading it here: http://www.proformascreening.com/blog/2011/03/employment-background-checks-without-permission/.
The above article says absolutely nothing about anykind of settlement that will be awarded to ‘job applicants’, only employees. The document I received, from First Group, included ‘job applicants’.
I worked at first student during the time of the illegal background checks. I would like to find know if a notice was sent to me. I have a different address.
yes, i’m glad that they are going to get what’s coming to them. I was terminated from first transit after two months in service, do to a 21 years old conviction. i explained everything on the application. What get me is, i left a position to be fired.
When will the pay out be made to the people in the law suit
According to the Claim Form, a payment should be made by September 1, 2011 if all is approved during the hearing on August 1, 2011.
i was very disapointed when my employer came to me and told me that because a stupid record they told me they had to let me go….. since it was close to the end of the school year i can stay until school ended but could not return the following year…..I FELT USED…. if that was the case they should have fired me on the spot but they didnt they kept me so i would be able to cover my run cause nobody knew it.
oh yeah bt the way they knew about the record before they hired me
I got fired they wouldn’t even show me my background infromation, i told them i was in the process of getting this case dismiss, they told me well if u can get the proof then we will hire you back your a good worker, I came back two weeks later to show them the court papers with the seal of my case being dismiss and no job.
I am a single mother of 4 kinds my job with First Student as a dispatcher was my sole income. I was there more than I was at home. I loved my job and I loved the drivers. To come in prepared to work at 6 am just to be told you are suspended upon further investigation was heartbreaking because I immediately thought about my kids, rent, my car note, etc. What I got was Valarie we are fighting for you….Almost 2 years later, I am homeless. I lost my truck on which I only owed 7 payments. I lost all of my furniture because I had to put “my life” in storage. Everything is gone. My children were greatly affected because they were use to their Mom coming through and I couldn’t. Foodstamps and welfare and depression took over and “the fight” that was supposed to be going on for me never took place. My personal business was spread throughout my place of employment. So for this to happen…I don’t know if I will receive anything or not but I will leave it in God’s hands. For those of you who were also affected I will hold you in my prayers.
I meant to say kids and not kinds…But also to add to my previous statement…they did a total of 5 background checks on me during a 3 year period…..
I worked in a management position for 9 years with a FGA company, and I know for a fact that my General Manager had run the backround checks on all of the employees and our division first and then once they realized that she needed their concent she called them in one by one to sign a concent form after the fact. I know because I saw my backround check the day she had me sign for mine. They did quite a few things after the fact.
I am glad to see one union (ATU) stand up and properly represent their members by inniating this case. Teamsters sure does not. This violation of the law is just one of many that First Transit does. They violate FMLA law, rest and meal periods, proper pay for ‘call backs’, contract language and countless other things. It is about time that they ante up for all the violations. They short your pay check and then ignore you when you call them on it and one Assistant GM uses his size and yelling to intimidate drivers. They are pathetic employers driven by greed.
I know exactly what your saying. I was there 8 years and got screwed everytime (OT, call backs, road calls etc..) and was fired right before Christmas. when I brought it up 6 months prior is when I noticed the descrimiation start.
After I they used me to finish off the school yr i was fired…i was with the company 9 yrs and they new about my situation before hand and allowed me to work there…Corp knew about all of it..i have a family to take care of and i had to down grade to a lower paying job…i have been a driver for 20yr and i do get the pay im worth. I hope we all get what we deserve….MAKE THEM PAY
I was devastated when First Student sent me a letter, stating that I was being terminated due to a background report. That was was not authorized by me in writing.
Does anyone know the outcome from the August 1, 2011 court proceedings?
Hope we get paid soon because of them I’m still looking for work! Unemployment has run out and I have a four year that depends o. Me any amount I receive will help lbvs.
I had been working on and off for First Student since 2005 and so I finish the school year went back they tell me to fill out another app. why I dont know then they tell me how Im wanted in all these other states. I’m like are you serious they tell me I got a criminal record and telling me that I lived in places that I never been in my life I ask to see the report I was told it was a dack and that I could not see it well shoot Its about me what the Devil yo mean I cant see it. I was told until I get proof I could not come back Proof of what I havent done nothing I’ve lived In Florida all my life I never held a address out of Jacksonville in my life. So then tell me how I can get straighten out but going to these cities letting these people arrest me for nothing to get it cleared are you for real. So when I called these places #1 the apartment complex sent me aletter verifing that I never lived there and then #2 I called the county Clecks and Circiut courts and there was nothing on me and when I tell them they say we have a speacial service that dig deep. I have children and I want my money and not just pennys either First Student you us all abad deal and you need to pay more that what you are now. Im praying for us all Amen
has anyone get paid yet, the promise was for sept. now oct no check yet
To Larry:
I have not received a check nor have I received any communication from the attorneys handling the class action suit.
I received my check today and I have found out that everyone did not receive the same amount which seems surprising, because some people got twice as much as I did and I was there longer than they were, I wounder how they came up with the amount for each person? I was not fired and neither were they!
can I get any information on this law suit, I still have not received a payment.
I received my check today and its just enough to fill up my gas tank.
I did receive a check that was torn in half with a apologetic letter stating these things somtime happen I have no info or tele no. to make contact any help would be appreciated thanking any and every one in advance SINCERELY; James T.Stephens
I don’t Think the amont I got its not fail we desert more than that I was a sessement millions of dollar only got 53 dollars
not sure
I was an employee at that time, and remembered signing a card stating my business with this lawsuit, and there could be possible recovery. I see there was a settlement made last year, and I still haven’t received any money. Who, would I need to contact about that?
First Group America is about the all mighty dollar and that is it. They run their buses, drivers, staff, operations, etc…illegally. I was there 8 years and some of the stuff Ive seen and have been asked/told to do would make DOT, EEOA, BBB think twice about letting them operate at all. Do some unanounced inspections and youll know what their all about