Toyota Loses Request In Ongoing Back-Pay Case

Updated: Mon 3:45 PM, Aug 20, 2007

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A long-running legal fight between Toyota and some of its paint-shop workers may be headed back to Scott County Circuit Court.

The state Court of Appeals this week denied Toyota's request seeking to prevent the case from being reopened in circuit court. The automaker says it plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court. Toyota has an assembly plant in Scott County.

Scott County Circuit Judge Rob Johnson ruled earlier this year that the case could return to Scott County, where it was filed in 1999. At issue is whether workers should be paid for the time it takes to put on and remove protective suits and walk to and from their jobs.

Toyota claims that circuit courts don't have jurisdiction in such cases. Instead, the automaker says the case should proceed as a state administrative hearing. The case is proceeding in Scott County, while the Frankfort administrative hearing has been put on hold.

I-5 bridge collapse caused by truck hitting span