Montoya v. 3PD Incorporated et al
Filing
110
MEMORANDUM AND DECISION AND ORDER granting 89 Home Depot's Motion for Summary Judgment. The Clerk shall dismiss Defendants Home Depot Incorporated and Home Depot USA Incorporated from this case. Signed by Senior Judge Stephen M McNamee on 7/9/14.(LSP) Modified on 7/10/2014 (LSP).
1
WO
2
3
4
5
6
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
7
FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
)
)
)
)
Plaintiff,
)
)
v.
)
3PD, Inc., The Home Depot, Inc., et al., )
)
)
Defendants.
)
Dennis Montoya, on behalf of himself
and all others similarly situated,
No. CV-13-8068-PCT-SMM
MEMORANDUM OF DECISION AND
ORDER
15
Before the Court is Defendant’s, Home Depot, Inc., motion for summary judgement
16
and accompanying statement of facts, which is fully briefed.1 (Docs. 89-90, 98-104.)
17
Plaintiff Dennis Montoya (“Montoya”) is a delivery driver who claims that Defendants 3PD,
18
Inc. (“3PD”) and Home Depot, Inc. (“Home Depot”) misclassified him as an independent
19
contractor and violated both the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) and Arizona law.
20
Montoya, who has a contract with 3PD through his limited liability company Big Dog
21
Trucking & Material Handling, LLC (“Big Dog”), claims that Home Depot was his joint
22
employer and is also liable. Home Depot contests the joint employer designation, and moves
23
for summary judgment. The Court will grant summary judgment in favor of Home Depot
24
as there is no genuine dispute to material fact; Home Depot is not Montoya’s joint employer
25
26
27
28
1
Both parties have requested oral argument. The Court will not set oral argument on
the motion because both parties have submitted legal memoranda and oral argument would
not aid the Court’s decisional process. See e.g., Partridge v. Reich, 141 F.3d 920, 926 (9th
Cir. 1998).
1
as a matter of law.2
BACKGROUND
2
3
Home Depot has a contract with 3PD for 3PD to provide truck drivers for delivery
4
service of its goods; this delivery service is also known as “last-mile transportation services.”
5
(Doc. 90 at 2; Doc. 99 at 2.) 3PD in turn negotiates and contracts with drivers to make
6
deliveries for Home Depot. (Doc. 90 at 2-3.) Montoya, through Big Dog, began working
7
for 3PD in March 2005 (Doc. 90-7 at 52) and continued to do so until January 2012 (Id. at
8
49). During this time Montoya performed delivery services for Home Depot through Big
9
Dog and made deliveries for other companies and people as well. (Id. at 125.)
10
Montoya was trained by 3PD employees in a Home Depot parking lot. (Id. at 67.)
11
In addition, Home Depot employees spent, in Montoya’s estimation, thirty minutes or less
12
explaining to him their procedures for delivery. (Id. at 76.) Information conveyed included
13
how to obtain delivery paperwork, where to park the delivery truck, and where to pick up the
14
merchandise Montoya was to deliver. (Id. at 75.)
15
Home Depot maintained its own in-house “delivery coordinator” at its stores. (Doc.
16
99-5 at 9.) The delivery coordinator was tasked with ensuring that deliveries were made
17
when customers expected them. (Id.) Part of this job included staying in contact with drivers
18
throughout the day as they made deliveries. (Id. at 12.)
19
Montoya’s delivery truck was leased from 3PD (Doc. 90-7 at 177) but carried Home
20
Depot decals on its doors (Doc. 99-2 at 68). In addition, Montoya wore a uniform provided
21
by 3PD that included both 3PD and Home Depot’s logos on his shirt. (Doc. 90-7 at 177.)
22
Montoya stopped making deliveries for Home Depot in January 2012. (Doc. 90-7 at
23
8, 13.)
24
25
26
27
28
2
Home Depot contends that Arizona law uses the same definition of “employ” as the
FLSA for the purposes of resolving Montoya’s second, third, fourth, and fifth claims in its
amended complaint. (Docs. 33 at 18-22; 89 at 8, 15.) Montoya does not contest Home
Depot’s determination that if the Court find that it is not a joint employer under the FLSA,
it is likewise not a joint employer under Arizona law.
-2-
STANDARD OF REVIEW
1
2
I. Summary Judgment
3
In a summary judgment motion, the court construes all disputed facts in the light most
4
favorable to the non-moving party. Ellison v. Robertson, 357 F.3d 1072, 1075 (9th Cir.
5
2004). A court must grant summary judgment if the pleadings and supporting documents,
6
viewed in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, show that there is no genuine
7
issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of
8
law. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23 (1986);
9
Jesinger v. Nevada Fed. Credit Union, 24 F.3d 1127, 1130 (9th Cir. 1994). A dispute about
10
a fact is “genuine” if the evidence is “such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for
11
the non-moving party.” Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986); see Jesinger,
12
24 F.3d at 1130. “Only disputes over facts that might affect the outcome of the suit under the
13
governing law will properly preclude the entry of summary judgment.” Anderson, 477 U.S.
14
at 248.
15
The principal purpose of summary judgment is “to isolate and dispose of factually
16
unsupported claims.” Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323-24. Summary judgment is appropriate against
17
a party who “fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element
18
essential to that party’s case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial.”
19
Id. at 322; see also Citadel Holding Corp. v. Roven, 26 F.3d 960, 964 (9th Cir. 1994). The
20
moving party need not disprove matters on which the opponent has the burden of proof at
21
trial. See Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323-24. The party opposing summary judgment need not
22
produce evidence “in a form that would be admissible at trial in order to avoid summary
23
judgment.” Id. at 324. However, the non-movant may not rest upon the mere allegations or
24
denials of the party’s pleadings, but must set forth specific facts showing that there is a
25
genuine issue for trial. See Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S.
26
574, 585-88 (1986); Brinson v. Linda Rose Joint Venture, 53 F.3d 1044, 1049 (9th Cir.
27
1995).
28
-3-
1
II. Fair Labor Standards Act
2
The Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) was passed by Congress in 1938 to promote
3
the well-being of workers. Torres-Lopez v. May, 111 F.3d 633, 638 (9th Cir. 1997) (citing
4
29 U.S.C. § 202(a)). The FLSA employed a variety of means to do so, including setting
5
minimum wage and maximum hour requirements. Id. (citing 29 U.S.C. §§ 201-219).
6
The FLSA broadly defines employer-employee relationships that are subject to its
7
provisions. Torres-Lopez, 111 F.3d at 638 (citing Rutherford Food Corp. v.McComb, 331
8
U.S. 722, 728 (1947)). The FLSA provides that an employer “includes any person acting
9
directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer in relation to an employee . . .” Bonnette
10
v. California Health & Welfare Agency, 704 F.2d 1465, 1469 (9th Cir. 1983) (quoting 29
11
U.S.C. § 203(d)), overruled on other grounds, Garcia v. San Antonio Metro. Transit. Auth.,
12
469 U.S. 528, 538 (1985). Joint employment under the FLSA is not precluded, as “a single
13
individual may stand in the relation of an employee to two or more employers at the same
14
time . . .” Torres-Lopez, 111 F.3d at 638 (citing and quoting 29 C.F.R. § 791.2(a)). All joint
15
employers are individually responsible for compliance with the FLSA. Bonnette, 704 F.2d
16
at 1469 (citing 29 C.F.R. § 791.2(a) (1981)).
DISCUSSION
17
18
A. Joint Employment
19
Home Depot’s status as a joint employer of Montoya is a question of law that can be
20
answered by the Court at this time. See Bonnette, 704 F.2d at 1469 (“although the underlying
21
facts are reviewed under the clearly erroneous standard the legal effect of those facts -
22
whether appellants are employers within the meaning of the FLSA - is a question of law”).
23
Home Depot’s motion for summary judgment hinges on the Court’s application of the
24
Bonnette “economic reality test” to determine if it was Montoya’s joint employer. 704 F.2d
25
at 1470. The test is comprised of factors that ask “whether the alleged employer: (1) had the
26
power to hire and fire the employees; (2) supervised and controlled employee work schedules
27
or conditions of employment; (3) determined the rate and method of pay; and (4) maintained
28
employment records.” Id. (citing Real v. Driscoll Strawberry Assoc., Inc., 603 F.2d 748, 756
-4-
1
(9th Cir. 1979); Hodgson v. Griffin and Brand of McAllen, Inc., 471 F.2d 235, 237-38 (5th
2
Cir. 1973)). The factors are issues of law that the Court will answer by applying the facts.
3
Torres-Lopez adds additional “non-regulatory” factors for determining joint
4
employment. 111 F.3d at 640. These factors are:
10
(1) whether the work was a specialty job on the production line; (2) whether
responsibility under the contracts between a labor contractor and an employer
pass from one labor contractor to another without material changes; (3)
whether the premises and equipment of the employer are used for the work; (4)
whether the employees had a business organization that could or did shift as
a unit from one worksite to another; (5) whether the work was “piecework”
and not work that required initiative, judgment or foresight; (6) whether the
employee had an opportunity for profit or loss depending upon the alleged
employee’s managerial skill; (7) whether there was permanence in the working
relationship; and (8) whether the service rendered is an integral part of the
alleged employer’s business.
11
Id. (internal citations and quotation omitted). The Torres-Lopez factors have been used to
12
supplement the Bonnette factors when determining joint employment. See e.g., Moreau v.
13
Air France, 356 F.3d 942, 947-48 (9th Cir. 2004); Adams v. US Airways, Inc., No. CV 10-
14
1088, 2013 WL 1345509 (D. Ariz. March 29, 2013).
5
6
7
8
9
15
1. Did Home Depot have the power to hire or fire Montoya?
16
Home Depot asserts that it does not interview, evaluate, or hire any 3PD applicants.
17
(Doc. 90-1 at 2.) Additionally, Home Depot denies that it has the authority to fire Montoya
18
or any other 3PD drivers, and that the power to hire and fire is 3PD’s alone. (Doc. 90 at 2-3,
19
5; Doc.90-1 at 3-4.) Montoya responds that Home Depot did in fact have the power to hire
20
him as a driver and additionally that Home Depot retained the power to fire him after he
21
declined to make a delivery. (Doc. 98 at 10-11.) Montoya argues that the power to hire and
22
fire drivers can be established through direct or indirect control. (Id., citing Torres-Lopez,
23
111 F.3d at 642-43.) In addition to arguing that Home Depot controlled his hiring, Montoya
24
contends that Home Depot fired him as well, speculating that his decision not to make an
25
allegedly dangerous delivery led Home Depot to do so. (Doc. 90-7 at 48-50.)
26
Montoya’s claim that he was interviewed by Home Depot before hiring is contradicted
27
by his deposition, during which he testified that he did not meet a Home Depot employee
28
until after 3PD hired him. (Doc. 90-7 at 60.) Additionally, the Court finds that Home Depot
-5-
1
requiring Montoya to pass a criminal background check and to meet DOT requirements does
2
not establish that it had the power to hire him. These are rational steps for Home Depot to
3
take to ensure the safety of its products and its consumers. See Moreau 356 F.3d at 951
4
(stating that the airline’s “indirect” supervision over ground handling employees was related
5
to safety and security concerns, and the airline would be remiss to not protect passengers’
6
safety). Additionally, Montoya never sent Home Depot an application packet nor a resume.
7
(Doc. 90-7 at 59.)3 Montoya’s claim that Home Depot controlled the hiring process,
8
including his position that he was interviewed by Home Depot, is merely a conclusory
9
allegation that is not supported by fact. Thus, it was 3PD not Home Depot who hired
10
Montoya.
11
Montoya’s contract with 3PD was terminated after Home Depot told 3PD that Home
12
Depot “would be better served with a new Contractor (sic).” (Doc. 99-2 at 94.) However,
13
there is no evidence to suggest that Home Depot cared if 3PD continued its relationship with
14
Montoya for other companies’ deliveries. Home Depot had no interest in Montoya’s
15
employment relationship with 3PD outside of his delivery of Home Depot goods relating to
16
the Home Depot and 3PD contract. Yet, if 3PD had no other business in the Kingman area,
17
Home Depot’s request for his reassignment from delivering Home Depot goods may have
18
been an indirect firing.. See Valdez v. Cox Communications Las Vegas, Inc., No. 2:09-CV-
19
01797, 2012 WL 1203726 at *2 (D. Nev. Apr. 11, 2012) (finding that if Cox
20
Communications decided that an installer could not work on Cox projects, that meant
21
termination for installers at VIP which obtained 100% of its work from Cox). However, here
22
there is evidence that 3PD had Montoya make deliveries for other companies, including
23
Golden Valley nursery, Sears, and a JC Penny while he was a driver with 3PD. (Doc. 90-7
24
at 125-128.) Additionally, Montoya knew of other 3PD clients in Arizona, but did not ask
25
3PD if he could make deliveries for these stores instead. (Doc. 90-7 at 128-29.)
26
27
28
3
Montoya speculates that an application packet submitted to 3PD was shared with
Home Depot, but does not provide any evidence to corroborate this claim. (Doc. 90-7 at 59.)
-6-
1
Although Home Depot may have requested that 3PD remove Montoya as a delivery
2
driver of Home Depot goods, it remained 3PD’s decision whether to continue its relationship
3
with Montoya. Even if Home Depot indirectly contributed to the termination of 3PD’s
4
relationship with Montoya, it is not enough to suggest that as a matter of law Home Depot
5
had the power to hire and fire Montoya.
6
employment.
2. Did Home Depot supervise and control Montoya’s work schedules or conditions
7
8
This factor weighs against finding joint
of employment?
9
The Bonnette court held that a joint employer supervised and controlled the
10
employee’s work schedule or condition of employment when the employer makes the final
11
decision regarding the hours of employment and tasks the employee would complete. 704
12
F.2d at 1470. However, specifying work to be performed and following up to ensure
13
adequate performance is not necessarily a indication of joint employment. Moreau, 356 F.3d
14
at 951.
15
Home Depot argues that it interacted with Montoya only when necessary, such as
16
when it would provide Montoya with delivery information and paperwork relating to the
17
delivery, but that it did not supervise, train, evaluate or discipline Montoya. (Doc. 89 at 9.)
18
Montoya alleges that Home Depot trained him, controlled his work schedule and
19
supervised him during the hours he was working. (Doc. 98 at 12-13.) Montoya claims that
20
Home Depot trained him regarding their equipment and completing paperwork. (Doc. 99 at
21
3.) Montoya claims he was told that Home Depot “owned” him six days a week, ten hours
22
a day, absent a replacement driver. (Doc. 98 at 12.) Montoya argues that Home Depot
23
controlled when he would make deliveries and that Home Depot’s Delivery Coordinator
24
would instruct him when and where to make the deliveries. (Id.) The alleged supervision
25
by Home Depot took the form of monitoring Montoya’s movements with GPS, phone calls,
26
driver logs, delivery confirmations, and the use of Home Depot’s in-house Delivery
27
Coordinator. (Doc. 98 at 12-13.) In addition, Montoya contends that he was compelled to
28
attend Home Depot’s staff meetings. (Doc. 98 at 13.)
-7-
1
Contrary to Montoya’s allegations, it is clear that Montoya’s training was conducted
2
by 3PD employees. A 3PD employee trained Montoya how to use a rear-mounted forklift
3
in a Home Depot parking lot. (Doc. 90-7 at 67.) While Montoya did meet employees of
4
Home Depot during this training, none of them were involved in his training. (Id. at 71.)
5
3PD conducted all additional delivery training, with the exception of Home Depot’s
6
instructions of where to pick up paperwork, where to park the truck, where to meet in the
7
morning, and where to pick up the merchandise, all of which was limited to somewhere
8
between 15 to 30 minutes of total instruction time. (Id. at 73, 76.) Although Montoya claims
9
that on one occasion he was trained by Home Depot to install washers and dryers, he
10
acknowledged that there was never any intent for him to be an installer. (Id. at 144-45.)
11
Thus, it was 3PD who controlled and conducted Montoya’s job training.
12
The facts also show that Home Depot did not determine the hours that Montoya would
13
work as a driver for 3PD. (Doc. 90-1 at 4.) Home Depot required a certain number of
14
delivery hours from 3PD, who in turn assigned hours to drivers to make those deliveries for
15
Home Depot.4 (Id.) Home Depot’s scheduling requirements are favorably compared to those
16
of Air France in Moreau, which were found to not constitute joint employment. 356 F.3d at
17
950 n.5. Just as Home Depot had deliveries that 3PD drivers needed to make within a certain
18
time frame, Air France had flights landing within a window of time that needed service by
19
the employees of the separate companies it contracted with to provide ground services. Id.
20
This practice was not enough to find that Air France controlled the workers’ schedule for
21
finding the airline to be a joint employer. Id.
22
Regarding alleged supervision, the facts show Home Depot’s primary concern was
23
ensuring the completion of deliveries by the drivers. Drivers, including Montoya, were given
24
information about what deliveries that had to be made that day, along with a general time
25
26
27
28
4
Although Montoya claims that Home Depot retained and utilized its right to approve
substitute drivers (Doc. 90-7 at 114, 132-136, Doc. 99 at 7), the evidence shows that Home
Depot required that replacement drivers be able to meet the same requirements as its original
drivers. (Doc. 99-2 at 90.)
-8-
1
frame for delivery, but were not told the order in which to make the deliveries, or provided
2
a mandated route to drive. (Doc. 99-5 at 19.) Communications during the day consisted of
3
making sure that Montoya was kept up to date with changing information. (Id. at 21.) Home
4
Depot’s knowledge of Montoya’s daily activities was limited to what deliveries had been
5
completed and which were still pending. (Id. at 31.) Thus, Home Depot’s measures to
6
ensure the delivery of products is not the same as supervising Montoya. Montoya was able
7
to exercise his discretion as to the time and method of delivery, within broad requirements
8
that the product be delivered during a certain part of the day.
9
Regarding staff meetings, there is no evidence that Montoya was compelled to attend
10
them. Rather, the evidence shows that he was invited to morale building events, and that he
11
sporadically attended them between 2005 and 2006. (Doc. 90-7 at 148.) Montoya concedes
12
that he was not contractually obligated to attend, and that he did so at his discretion. (Id. at
13
149-150.)
14
Based on these facts, the Court finds that this factor favors the position of Home
15
Depot that it was not a joint employer of Montoya as it did not supervise or control
16
Montoya’s schedule or conditions of his work.
17
3. Did Home Depot decide rate or method of Montoya’s pay?
18
The Bonnette court found that there was a joint employer relationship when wages
19
were directly paid to the employee or were indirectly paid to an additional party with “the
20
understanding that the wages would be paid over to the chore worker.” 704 F.2d at 1470.
21
Home Depot contends that it did not pay Montoya, did not determine or pay bonuses
22
or benefits, did not have any role in determining Montoya’s compensation or benefits, nor
23
did it pay payroll taxes or issue tax forms for him. (Doc. 89 at 13.) According to Home
24
Depot, Montoya’s pay was controlled by 3PD’s payments to Big Dog Trucking, Montoya’s
25
limited liability company. (Id.) Home Depot made its payments to 3PD according to its
26
contract with 3PD, not the hours worked by 3PD’s drivers. (Doc. 90-1 at 4.)
27
////
28
-9-
1
Although acknowledging that Home Depot never directly paid him wages,5 Montoya
2
contends that Home Depot indirectly exercised its control over his pay because the terms of
3
Home Depot’s contract with 3PD controlled what he was paid. (Doc. 99 at 13.) Montoya
4
points to two alleged instances Home Depot directly influenced the amount and rate that 3PD
5
paid Montoya. (Id. at 13-14.) On one instance Montoya discussed extra payment for
6
hazardous delivery with the Home Depot store manager. (Doc. 90-7 at 97-99; Doc. 99-6 at
7
6-7; Doc. 99-2 at 95-96.) Montoya also contends that a local Home Depot store manager
8
lobbied on Montoya’s behalf for additional reimbursement for Montoya’s fuel expenditures.
9
(Doc. 90-7 at 100-103.)
10
First, the Court finds that Montoya’s indirect control of wages argument fails to allege
11
any genuine dispute of material fact; it is uncontested that Home Depot and 3PD had a
12
contractual relationship to provide delivery drivers for Home Depot. (Docs. 90 at 2; 99 at
13
2.) The payments that Home Depot made to 3PD for the contract were not like those in
14
Bonnette, where the understanding was that the money was to be paid to the employee. 704
15
F.2d at 1470. Here, Home Depot’s payments to 3PD were paid for 3PD’s “last mile”
16
transportation services, and were not designated for Montoya specifically. (Doc. 90 at 2.)
17
Regarding his contentions that Home Depot directly influenced his pay, there is no
18
evidence that the Home Depot store manager had the authority to negotiate Montoya’s
19
wages. (Doc. 99-2 at 95-96; Doc. 103 at 4.) When Montoya emailed 3PD regarding the
20
proposed $100 hazardous delivery fee, which was to be paid by 3PD (Doc. 90-7 at 99), 3PD
21
indicated that the preferred method of negotiation was between 3PD and Home Depot
22
corporate, not amongst Montoya and the local Home Depot branch (Doc. 99-2 at 95).
23
Regarding reimbursement for extra fuel expenditures, Montoya offers no corroborating
24
evidence for the store manager’s hearsay statement. Montoya cannot establish who the store
25
manager spoke to about fuel reimbursement, beyond identifying the other party as a 3PD
26
5
27
28
On two occasions, Montoya states that he received compensation directly from Home
Depot, once in the form of approximately $100 worth of plumbing supplies and a second
time when Home Depot waived a charge-back for damaged goods. (Doc. 90-7 at 96-97.)
- 10 -
1
employee. (Doc. 90-7 at 101.) Even taking the allegation as true without supporting
2
evidence, it does not suggest that Home Depot controlled Montoya’s wages. Rather, the fuel
3
reimbursement and hazardous delivery fee talks with Home Depot suggest that Montoya used
4
Home Depot employees to support his negotiations with 3PD, who actually controlled his
5
wages.
6
7
Based on the undisputed facts, the Court finds that as a matter of law that Home Depot
did not control Montoya’s method or rate of pay.
8
4. Did Home Depot maintain personnel records for Montoya?
9
Bonnette does not clearly specify what constitutes employment records, only finding
10
that the employers in question “maintained employment records.” 704 F.2d at 1470.
11
Montoya contends that Home Depot controls “at least some of its Drivers’
12
employment records” and points to drivers’ daily time sheets and daily driver logs as his only
13
examples. (Doc. 98 at 14; Doc. 99 at 8.)
14
There is persuasive authority suggesting that daily time sheets and daily driver logs
15
do not constitute employment records as typically considered. See Adams, 2013 WL
16
1345509 at *4 (stating that records kept to determine how much work has been accomplished
17
for the sake of determining pay to a subcontractor are not seen as employment records).
18
Here, the records served to keep track of the work accomplished, and do not indicate
19
employment. There is no evidence to support Montoya’s contention that Home Depot kept
20
records that would indicate its role as a joint employer.
21
The Court finds that this factor also favors the position of Home Depot, that it was not
22
a joint employer of Montoya as Home Depot did not maintain personnel records for
23
Montoya.
24
5. Do additional non-regulatory Torres-Lopez factors apply?
25
Torres-Lopez defined eight additional “non-regulatory” factors to consider when
26
determining joint employment. See 111 F.3d at 640. However, the application of the non-
27
regulatory Torres-Lopez factors, which were originally applied to the employment
28
relationship between farm workers and growers, may not always be appropriate for all
- 11 -
1
“economic reality tests.” See Moreau 356 F.3d at 952 (finding that not all of the Torres-
2
Lopez factors translated well when defining the employment relationship between the airline
3
and ground support). The Torres-Lopez factors guide a determination as to whether one
4
party was “economically dependent” on the other. Moreau, 356 F.3d at 948 (citing Torres-
5
Lopez, 111 F.3d at 644).
6
It is conceded by Montoya that Home Depot had no ownership stake in the trucks used
7
for deliveries, as they were owned by 3PD and leased to Montoya. (Doc. 90-7 at 177.) In
8
addition, Montoya’s uniform, which consisted of a shirt and khaki shorts, was provided by
9
himself and 3PD. (Doc. 90-7 at 177). However, both the trucks and uniform contained
10
Home Depot labeling. (Doc. 90-7 at 176; Doc. 99-2 at 68.) Additional equipment used for
11
the work, such as the moffet used for the trailer, was provided by Home Depot to 3PD who
12
was then responsible for maintenance and distribution of the tools to the delivery drivers.
13
(Doc. 99-2 at 67). This does not suggest that Home Depot provided Montoya with
14
equipment individually, but rather that Home Depot provided 3PD necessary equipment for
15
the fulfillment of their delivery contract.
16
Montoya’s profits were determined based on his own managerial skill. For instance,
17
in the Driscoll case, the court evaluated whether the farm workers’ opportunity for profit or
18
loss depended on their managerial skill. See 603 F.2d at 755. The Driscoll court found that
19
because the farm workers’ profits were reliant upon the actions of the landowner, particularly
20
with regards to “developing fruitful varieties of strawberries, in analyzing soil and pest
21
conditions, and in marketing,” rather than the farm workers’ duties spent weeding, pruning,
22
and picking, the factor weighed in favor of employment. Id. Here, unlike Driscoll,
23
Montoya’s profits were not based solely on the managerial decisions of others. Id. The
24
evidence shows that Montoya had more influence than the Driscoll farm workers, as
25
Montoya was able to increase Big Dog Trucking’s profits by hiring other drivers to help with
26
deliveries. (Doc. 90-7 at 114.) In addition, there is no evidence that Montoya was entitled
27
to any greater profits based upon the contract between Home Depot and 3PD.
28
The Moreau court found that the final Torres-Lopez factor, how integral the work was
- 12 -
1
to the alleged employer’s business, may not be applicable outside of the production line. 356
2
F.3d at 952 (citing Torres-Lopez, 111 F.3d at 643-644). Montoya and Home Depot both
3
offer evidence as to the role that 3PD’s “last mile” deliveries serve in the Home Depot
4
business model. Montoya’s contention, unsupported by anything beyond allegations, that
5
3PD’s delivery services are “integral” to Home Depot’s business model is not enough to find
6
joint employment. Even adopting Montoya’s contention that his deliveries were necessary
7
for 3PD and thus for Home Depot, does not outweigh the numerous significant factors
8
discussed above that evidence Home Depot not being a joint employer of Montoya. See
9
Moreau, 356 F.3d at 952.
10
The Court finds that there is no genuine dispute to the material facts which would
11
establish that Home Depot was a joint employer. There is no evidence that Home Depot
12
retained the power to hire and fire Montoya, that it exercised control over the time and nature
13
of Montoya’s daily work, that it was able to determine Montoya’s pay, nor that it maintained
14
Montoya’s personnel records. Additionally, there is no evidence that the applicable Torres-
15
Lopez factors weigh in favor of finding joint employer status. For these reasons, the Court
16
is able to find as a matter of law that Home Depot is not a joint employer of Montoya.
17
Because Montoya cannot show that Home Depot was his employer, absent an employment
18
relationship, his FLSA and his Arizona state law wage against Home Depot will be
19
dismissed.
20
B. Ruiz v. Affinity Logistics Corp. does not apply
21
The Ninth Circuit’s recent decision in Ruiz v. Affinity Logistics Corp does not affect
22
this Court’s analysis. See No. 12-56589, 2014 WL 2695534 at * 1 (9th Cir. June 16, 2014).
23
In Ruiz, under California law, the court evaluated whether truck drivers were wrongly
24
classified as independent contractors rather than employees. Id. Ruiz is similar in that the
25
court evaluated the employment status of a delivery truck driver. Id. However, Ruiz was
26
decided by looking at the driver’s relationship with the logistics company, Affinity, and not
27
the company whose products the driver was delivering, Sears. Id. Ruiz did not concern
28
whether there was a joint employer relationship between the parties for the purposes of the
- 13 -
1
FLSA, but instead addressed “the independent contractor versus employee question under
2
California law.” Id. at *5.
3
CONCLUSION
4
Accordingly, on the basis of the foregoing,
5
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED granting Home Depot’s motion for summary judgment.
6
(Doc. 89.) The Clerk of Court shall dismiss Defendants Home Depot Incorporated and
7
Home Depot USA Incorporated from this case.
8
DATED this 9th day of July, 2014.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
- 14 -
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?