Our founding attorney, Darrell Cochran, recently secured an important victory for Washington State Patrol troopers in the Washington Court of Appeals. The appeal involved claims by troopers for unpaid wages related to commute time in marked patrol vehicles.
The case centered on whether troopers could pursue claims under Washington’s wage laws directly in court or whether they were required to exhaust administrative procedures contained in collective bargaining agreements before filing suit.
Overview of the Case
The lawsuit alleged that Washington State Patrol troopers were effectively working while commuting in marked patrol vehicles because they remained subject to department policies and were expected to respond to accidents and other situations encountered during their commute. According to the claims, troopers were not fully compensated for this time despite continuing law enforcement responsibilities.
The State argued that the claims were barred because the troopers had not first exhausted grievance and arbitration procedures contained in collective bargaining agreements negotiated with the Washington State Patrol Troopers Association. The trial court initially dismissed the claims on those grounds.
On appeal, the Washington Court of Appeals ruled that the troopers’ claims under the Washington Minimum Wage Act could proceed in superior court without first exhausting collective bargaining procedures. The court concluded that the wage claims were independent from the collective bargaining agreements themselves, which allows troopers to pursue their wage-and-hour claims directly through litigation.
The ruling is an important one for troopers and their families. Now, state troopers have a direct path to the court system if they face unpaid wages while performing official job duties. They can seek relief without having to navigate convoluted collective bargaining procedures that could delay their timeline for obtaining the wages they need.
How Darrell Cochran Helped Our Client Win Their Appeal
Darrell Cochran and the legal team representing the troopers focused heavily on demonstrating that the claims involved independent legal rights created under Washington wage-and-hour laws rather than disputes limited to collective bargaining terms.
The appeal centered on the argument that Washington employees cannot be forced to waive wage protections under the law simply because they are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The legal team argued that the Minimum Wage Act created separate legal rights enforceable in court.
Our attorneys also emphasized the nature of the troopers’ commuting duties while operating marked patrol vehicles. Troopers were required to observe agency policies, enforce public safety obligations, and respond to emergencies during their commute. The plaintiffs argued this constituted compensable work under Washington law.
Attorney Cochran’s appellate advocacy helped secure the reversal of the initial trial court dismissal and allowed the troopers’ claims to proceed through the courts. The decision puts legal protections for unpaid wages back in the hands of individual troopers — and not in unions or collective bargaining agreements.
Contact Our Seattle Employment Lawyers for Help If You’ve Been Underpaid by the Washington State Patrol
If you believe you were underpaid by the Washington State Patrol or another employer, you should speak with an experienced employment attorney as soon as possible.
Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer has extensive experience handling complex wage-and-hour disputes throughout Washington. Our firm can evaluate your claim and help you pursue the compensation you may be owed under state law. Contact our Seattle employment lawyers today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your legal options.