Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo have announced a settlement with Jersey Tractor Trailer Training, Inc. (JTTT), a Bergen County truck driving school accused of misclassifying at least 30 commercial driver’s license instructors as independent contractors instead of employees.
The lawsuit alleged that JTTT’s classification practices denied instructors their proper wages and labor protections. According to the complaint, from 2018 to 2022, the company failed to pay overtime, did not provide timely full wage payments, neglected recordkeeping requirements, withheld earned sick leave, and did not contribute to several state funds including unemployment compensation and disability benefits.
“No business operating in our state should be allowed to deprive workers of their rightful pay and benefits. That’s why my office, working in conjunction with Labor Commissioner Asaro-Angelo, has cracked down on worker misclassification, which denies employees their hard-earned pay and benefits,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Today’s settlement is another important victory in the fight against worker misclassification. Our message is simple: comply with the law or face the consequences.”
“Our department is glad this matter has found a resolution as it reinforces something simple but essential: our longstanding laws matter, and respecting them protects workers, families, and businesses alike,” said Labor Commissioner Asaro-Angelo.
Under the terms of the agreement, JTTT will pay a total gross settlement amount of $345,000. Of this sum, eligible instructors are set to receive up to $137,160 based on individual earnings. The company will also pay $127,839 to NJDOL for penalties and costs related to the case. If JTTT meets all reporting requirements over two years—demonstrating that it treats current and future instructors as employees—the total payment may be reduced by $80,000.
This settlement follows similar legal actions by New Jersey authorities involving other transportation companies accused of misclassifying workers. State officials noted that recent legislative changes have strengthened their ability to pursue such cases in Superior Court.
NJDOL was represented by Deputy Attorneys General Nadya Comas and Matthew Harm from the Division of Law under supervision from Eve E. Weissman (Labor Enforcement Section Chief), Assistant Attorney General Mayur P. Saxena, and Deputy Director Sara M. Gregory.
