MORNINGSTAR TRUCKING, LLC. of WILKES BARRE PA (SCRANTON PA AREA)

Let's see ... what to answer and cover first .... Morningstar Trucking LLC

1st - I believe that actually going in person (with or without proper authorities) only instigates a confrontation that may not be beneficial to either party. Also, because its a civil affair, the authorities (Police, Marshall, Sheriff, etc.) will not get involved until there is a judgement made and an action to take. They will direct you to seek a lawyer and sue, or involve another government agency. The walking into a place of business (office) and demanding money owed, while video taping, or other ... rather just gets you removed from the building without goals met. I am much more in favor of telephone calls, text msgs, emails, and letters which support your argument for wages owed and form a basis of a legal stand. A history of correspondence that goes unanswered when the business is still running, shows a corporate culture, policy and attitude of non communication. This documented stance does not fair well for the company in a court of law.

2nd - While there was minimal communication while working for the company, the business was still running smoothly - deliveries were made, fuel paid, loads booked. Other employees were paid on time or only slightly off schedule. An explanation was made that money was needed to somehow qualify for "A" series insurance or some such thing for qualifying for a better load board ... Landstar. Bills needed to be paid etc. and that all will be well in due time. The first week's pay was held because "its policy" as it was explained. I am an understanding man. If one gives a lil in life it will usually come back in time. So I said that ... ok get me the money after the new insurance is paid, etc. - I'm not going to go hungry - I'm not hand to mouth. I figured that getting in the company at the beginning would somehow pay off in the end with good hometime, benefits, etc.

3rd - After I went home for a weekend, communication stopped completely, and I was unable to schedule a return to the truck because the other driver, and management refused my calls etc. Its one thing to say "you're fired" - its another to completely disappear. So I started to demand my money via all means available.

4th - On July 3rd, I had a telephone conversation with the owner when he called to me. He promised a call on July 4th to discuss future plans, and to pay $3000 gross via direct deposit on Thursday, July 5th and another $3000 gross on Monday, July 9th. The remaining gross $1500 pay would arrive via direct deposit the following Monday. This was a plan of action and a change from non-communication. I was pleased. There were no follow-up calls on July 4th and no deposits made. I reminded the company of the arrangement a few times via a variety of means.

5th - Yesterday, I called a few times to each of the management and was given to voice mail each time. THEN - in the late afternoon, Chris, the accountant, called me back and had a conversation in which he discussed that he had seen my emails and had consulted with Lucifer to indeed pay me the back wages. He said that the ball was in Lucifer's court.

6th - TODAY - I had a 3 way call with both Lucifer and Chris and we discussed the back pay and this post, and the PA State Department of Labor case. I agreed to post the resolution to the payment problem on this site (where they are seeking drivers) in this thread in answer to a request to have the post deleted. I agreed that if the post can be deleted I would do so after my payment was made and cashed. I also agreed to take the PA State Department of Labor off the case. I said that I would do that as well, as there would not be anymore case if I was properly paid. The check is to be in the mail tomorrow.

So that is where we stand now.
I will update after resolution (or not).

is
no longer with Morningstar Trucking

 

I was given a Fed Ex tracking number and assurances that a multiple number of checks are on the way to me.

I will continue to update.

is

 

GOOD NEWS !!

I received a FedEx Letter Envelope on this past Saturday with ..... yes, .... wait for it ....

Five (5) individual cashier's checks from First National Bank.
I deposited them all in my credit union as soon as I could on Saturday afternoon before closing time, and was informed that they should all clear by Tuesday, July, 24th - tomorrow.

They also provided a reckoning of taxes and fees taken out as per a regular company paycheck for each of the individual paychecks.

I await the confirmation from my credit union as to my balance of my accounts.

is

 

Ok .... The results are in .........

Morningstar Trucking LLC, 15 Public Square, ste 200, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
Owner Lucifer Morningstar of Pittston, PA

The checks were deposited on Saturday before the close of business. Because of being deposited on Saturday, they did not clear and show in the balance of my account until today, Tuesday, July 24th.

I was paid 5 individual checks in the gross amount of $7500.00 USD for 5 weeks of company salary at the rate of $1500.00 USD per week or a yearly salary of $78000.00 USD. The taxes and deductions were taken out and will be reported to the appropriate agencies (I assume) at the total rate of 23.41% of my total gross pay for each week. I was also reimbursed $36.00 USD for tolls.

I will discuss the events leading up to this resolution with my contact in the PA Department of Labor and see if there are any other missing pieces to be dealt with concerning this period of time in which I was not compensated until threat of legal action.

Should I ask for an interest to be paid on the gross amount of money owed over 5 weeks of employment and an additional 24 days? Simple interest? Compound interest? Is there a penalty fee due to me?

---> AND AFTER ALL OF THAT ....... (believe it or not) ... BONUS !!!
The Social Security Number listed and associated with the payments, taxes, and deductions is incorrect and needs to be corrected officially so that I may receive proper credit for the deductions, taxes, etc. from the appropriate agencies.

But there's the story, folks.

is
... on my journey.

 

Another update ....

I've begun to get phone calls from other employees of MORNINGSTAR TRUCKING LLC. They also are finding themselves shorted in pay or not paid for time employed.

I did get a return email with a corrected statement of taxes and deductions taken from my paychecks with the correct Social Security Number noted. I was assured that the issue was fixed officially by the Accountant/Consultant, Chris W. who has his own practice and is only associated with MORNINGSTAR TRUCKING LLC as a consultant and not an employee.

I await the return from vacation of the assigned staff member of the PA Department Of Labor to discuss any other additional course of action regarding MORNINGSTAR TRUCKING LLC. and Lucifer Morningstar of Pittston, PA.

is