Jets has finally settled the class-action lawsuit filed by the New York Jets' flight crew cheerleaders by paying them $324,000 on Friday. The professional American football team was sued by the pom pom waving cheer squad over a wage theft.
According to the class action lawsuit, the Jets' flight crew cheerleaders complained of being cheated of their wages. They claimed they were given $150 per game and uniforms, but they were not paid during practices. They were also forced to pay for hair care, make up and transportation. The New York Daily News claims that the Jets will be paying each cheerleader an amount ranging from $2,559 to $5,913. The Jets is the fourth team among the five NFL teams that reached a settlement pertaining to labor law violations.
"The Jets deny the claims," the statement said, "and the parties have agreed to a settlement to avoid the expense, time and distraction of litigation."
The class-action lawsuit was filed in May 2014 by a previous cheerleader under the name of "Krystal C" in in New Jersey. According to Daily Mail, the 52 Jets' flight crew cheerleaders will be receiving payment based on their performance in the 2012 and the 2013 seasons. The payment will also be depending whether they participated in the calendar photo shoots. As part of the deal, the lawyers of the cheerleaders will be also receiving $112,000.
New York Times says that Jets is among the NFL teams such as the Tampa Bay, Oakland Raiders, Buccaneers and the Cincinnati Bengals that violated wage laws. According to Sharon Vinick, an employment lawyer from California, the Jets' flight crew cheerleaders will be receiving $2,500 within 45 days. Those who joined the calendar photo shoot is entitled to $400 per photo shoot.
The Jets' flight crew cheerleaders just like the Oakland Raiders won the case against labor theft violation. A new bill in New Jersey has been already passed to protect cheerleaders under the state employment protection.
