Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-00715/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-00715-7/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 29:201 Fair Labor Standards Act

---

United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

GABE BEAUPERTHUY, et al. on behalf

of themselves and all others

similarly situated,

Plaintiffs,

 v.

24 HOUR FITNESS USA, INC., a

California corporation d/b/a 24

Hour Fitness; SPORT AND FITNESS

CLUBS OF AMERICA, INC., a

California corporation d/b/a 24

Hour Fitness,

Defendants.

 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

No. 06-0715 SC

OPT-IN ORDER

WHEREAS, Plaintiffs Gabe Beauperthuy, et al., filed a motion

to facilitate notice under Section 16(b) of the Fair Labor

Standards Act ("FLSA"), 29 U.S.C. §216(b), and Defendant 24 Hour

Fitness USA, Inc., et al., (hereinafter "24 Hour Fitness") opposed

Plaintiffs' motion;

WHEREAS, pursuant to this Court's Order of March 6, 2007

Granting In Part And Denying In Part Plaintiffs' Motion For

Case 3:06-cv-00715-SC Document 145 Filed 05/09/07 Page 1 of 14
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

Facilitated Notice Pursuant To 29 U.S.C. §216(b) entered in the

above-captioned matter ("Conditional Certification Order"), 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Plaintiffs' FLSA claims in this case shall proceed as a

conditional collective action under Section 16(b) of the Fair

Labor Standards Act ("FLSA"), 29 U.S.C. §216(b), on behalf of all

persons who work or have worked for 24 Hour Fitness in any state

in the United States, except California, during the time period

between December 31, 1998 and the present ("Claims Period"), in

any managerial position classified by 24 Hour Fitness as exempt

from overtime requirements.

2. The FLSA Notice and Consent to Join forms (attached

hereto as Exhibit "A") are approved.

3. CPT Group, Inc. ("Notice Administrator") is approved as

the Notice Administrator for the FLSA Notice pursuant to 29 U.S.C.

§216(b). Plaintiffs shall bear the cost of notice, including but

not limited to fees charged by the Notice Administrator and

copying and mailing fees.

4. Within sixty (60) days of the date of this ORDER, 24

Hour Fitness shall produce to plaintiffs' counsel and the Notice

Administrator a machine-readable list of all the names and

addresses of all persons described in paragraph 1 of this ORDER,

so that notice may be timely accomplished. 24 Hour Fitness shall

further produce to the Notice Administrator within ten (10) days

of any request by the Administrator all social security numbers

("SSN") for any person described in paragraph 1 of this ORDER

whose FLSA Notice is returned by the Post Office. The SSNs shall

Case 3:06-cv-00715-SC Document 145 Filed 05/09/07 Page 2 of 14
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

3

only be provided to the Notice Administrator who shall maintain

them in strict confidentiality, in a password protected database. 

The Notice Administrator shall implement physical, technical and

administrative safeguards for the SSNs, including, but not

necessarily limited to, those which restrict access to the SSNs to

employees of the Notice Administrator with a need to know. The

Notice Administrator may not disclose the SSNs to plaintiffs'

counsel or any other third party. Use of the SSNs shall be

limited to performing skip tracing methods to locate the current

address of the person to whom notice should be given. Use and

possession of the list of name and address information provided by

24 Hour Fitness pursuant to this paragraph shall be solely limited

to Plaintiffs' counsel and the Notice Administrator. The Notice

Administrator shall use the information solely for the purpose of

providing notice of this action to persons entitled to file

Consent to Join forms pursuant to paragraph 1 of this ORDER. 

Plaintiffs' counsel shall not copy the list or any of the names

and addresses on the list and shall maintain the confidentiality

of the names and addresses. Plaintiffs' counsel shall return the

list of names and addresses to 24 Hour Fitness on or before ten

(10) days after the expiration of the opt-in period. Plaintiffs'

counsel shall use the name and address data only for the following

purposes: to confirm with the Notice Administrator and

Defendants' counsel that the Notice Administrator sends notices to

the individuals on the list; and to send a copy of the FLSA Notice

to prospective class members upon their request. 

5. The Notice Administrator shall mail the proposed FLSA

Case 3:06-cv-00715-SC Document 145 Filed 05/09/07 Page 3 of 14
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

4

Notice and Consent to Join Form to all persons described in

paragraph 1 of this ORDER as soon as practicable and in no event

later than thirty (30) days after receiving the mailing list

described in paragraph 4 of this ORDER, or a longer period of time

if the parties so stipulate.

6. As soon as practicable and in any event no later than 20

days prior to the close of the opt-in period, the Notice

Administrator shall give notice (and supplemented notices as

necessary) to all counsel the names of putative class members

whose FLSA notices are returned by the Post Office as

undeliverable, who cannot be located through the National Change

Of Address (NCOA) database or skip tracing methods. Within

fourteen (14) days of such notice, 24 Hour Fitness shall provide a

copy of the Notice and Consent to Join Forms to each such

individual on the list who is a current 24 Hour Fitness employee

at that time. 24 Hour Fitness shall not transmit any

communication to the persons described in paragraph 1 that

undermines the FLSA notice or attempts to discourage participation

in the collective action.

7. Each "Consent to Join" form must be postmarked or faxed

to the Notice Administrator no later than sixty (60) days after

the date that the Notice Administrator mails the notice. Within

ten (10) days of the close of the opt-in period described above,

all Consent to Join forms shall be filed with the Court.

Individuals for whom Consent to Join forms are not filed within

such time shall not participate in this lawsuit.

8. After 24 Hour Fitness has produced to plaintiffs'

Case 3:06-cv-00715-SC Document 145 Filed 05/09/07 Page 4 of 14
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

5

counsel and the Notice Administrator the machine-readable list of

all the names and addresses of all persons described in paragraph

1 of this ORDER, the parties shall meet and confer and 24 Hour

Fitness shall describe the method it used to choose which persons

were to be included and plaintiffs shall assert any objections

plaintiffs have to the process used by 24 Hour Fitness. If the

parties are unable to resolve any issues, either party may request

leave to file a motion with the Court. If such leave is granted,

the time for the Notice to be mailed set forth in paragraph 5

shall be tolled until the dispute that is the subject of the

motion is resolved.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 9, 2007.

 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:06-cv-00715-SC Document 145 Filed 05/09/07 Page 5 of 14
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

EXHIBIT A

Case 3:06-cv-00715-SC Document 145 Filed 05/09/07 Page 6 of 14
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 1

NOTICE OF COLLECTIVE ACTION

THIS IS NOT A LAWSUIT AGAINST YOU. PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE

CAREFULLY. YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS MAY BE AFFECTED.

TO: All persons who have worked for 24 Hour Fitness in any

state in the United States, except California, during the time

period between December 31, 1998 and the present ("Claims

Period"), in any managerial position classified by 24 Hour

Fitness as exempt from overtime requirements.

RE: Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) Lawsuit Filed Against 24 Hour

Fitness

1. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this Notice is to inform you of the existence

of a collective action lawsuit in which you potentially are

“similarly situated” to the named plaintiffs, to advise you of how

your rights may be affected by this lawsuit, and to instruct you on

the procedure for participating in this lawsuit if you so desire.

As described more fully below, if you are eligible and wish to

participate in this collective action, you must timely complete and

submit the “Consent to Join” form attached to this Notice. 

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE LAWSUIT

On February 1, 2006, the named plaintiffs filed a Complaint in

the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

against 24 Hour Fitness on behalf of themselves and certain groups

of past and present employees of 24 Hour Fitness in states other

Case 3:06-cv-00715-SC Document 145 Filed 05/09/07 Page 7 of 14
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 2

than California. Plaintiffs allege that 24 Hour Fitness failed to

pay them and past and present employees in managerial positions who

were classified as exempt from overtime requirements by 24 Hour

Fitness, the wages and overtime pay to which they were entitled

under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). Plaintiffs

allege they are entitled to unpaid wages and overtime for such work

performed after December 31, 1998. 

Plaintiffs also seek liquidated damages and attorneys’ fees and

costs. 

24 Hour Fitness denies any and all liability, including

Plaintiffs’ allegations that it failed to correctly compensate

employees or that it is liable to Plaintiffs for violations of the

FLSA.

3. THE CURRENT STATE OF THIS LAWSUIT

This lawsuit is in the very early stages of litigation. The

Court has conditionally certified this case as a collective action

and ordered this Notice be sent to you.

If you do join, you may be required to participate in the

discovery process. You may be required to answer written questions,

under oath, concerning the overtime hours you claim, if any, that

you worked which were not compensated. You may also be required to

answer questions, under oath, in an oral deposition and/or give

testimony at a trial and travel to do so.

4. PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THIS NOTICE

The U.S. District Court has ordered this FLSA Notice to be

distributed to all persons who currently work or have worked for 24

Hour Fitness, in any state, except California, between December 31,

Case 3:06-cv-00715-SC Document 145 Filed 05/09/07 Page 8 of 14
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 3

1998 and the present, in any managerial position classified by 24

Hour Fitness as exempt from overtime requirements.

5. YOUR RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS LAWSUIT 

If you were employed by 24 Hour Fitness for any period between

December 31, 1998 and the present in a managerial position that 24

Hour Fitness treated as exempt from overtime, and you believe that

24 Hour Fitness has failed to pay you for all hours worked or for

all overtime compensation to which you are entitled, you have the

right to join the pending FLSA lawsuit against 24 Hour Fitness.

If you want to participate in this lawsuit, you must take

affirmative steps to indicate your intent to join the action. You

must complete, sign and fax or mail a copy of the “Consent to Join”

form, which is attached to this Notice, to CPT Group, Inc., who is

the court-appointed Notice Administrator. If mailed, your signed

“Consent to Join” form must be postmarked no later than [insert date

60 days after the mailing date].

If faxed, your signed “Consent To Join” form must be

successfully faxed no later than [insert date 60 days after the

mailing date].

If your “Consent to Join” form is not postmarked by that date,

or not successfully faxed to the Notice Administrator (CPT Group) by

that date, you will not be allowed to participate in this lawsuit.

Having a “Consent to Join” form filed does not guarantee that

you will be able to participate in the trial of this lawsuit as this

may depend upon a final ruling from the District Court that you and

the named Plaintiffs are “similarly situated” under federal law.

Failing to return and have filed a “Consent to Join” form postmarked

Case 3:06-cv-00715-SC Document 145 Filed 05/09/07 Page 9 of 14
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 4

on or before the deadline means that you cannot participate in any

settlement or judgment for damages under the FLSA as part of this

lawsuit.

6. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

Normally, the FLSA contains a limitations period of at least

two years and potentially up to three years for the filing of a

claim for unpaid overtime wages, after which the claim is forever

barred. However, in this case the Court has tolled the statute of

limitations to allow all Plaintiffs to sue for conduct which

occurred any time after December 31, 1998. In the event that you

decide not to file a Consent to Join in this lawsuit, you should

consult with your own attorney as to the statute of limitations

which would apply to your claim.

7. EFFECT OF JOINING THIS SUIT

If you file a "Consent to Join" form and the Court later

permits your claims to proceed to trial as part of the collective

action, you will be bound by any judgment regarding the FLSA claims

in the lawsuit, whether favorable or unfavorable to Plaintiffs.

While the suit is proceeding, you may be required to provide

relevant information, and may be required to give sworn testimony

in a deposition or in Court and travel to do so.

If you choose to join this collective action, you will be

represented by the law firm currently representing the Plaintiffs.

If you join the suit, you will not be required to pay attorney's

fees or expenses in advance. Class counsel may be paid either by

the Defendant, or they may, either in addition to or instead of

payment from Defendant, receive a percentage of any money judgment

Case 3:06-cv-00715-SC Document 145 Filed 05/09/07 Page 10 of 14
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 5

or settlement in favor of you, or others similarly situated, as

agreed by contract and/or ordered by the Court.

As an alternative to joining this lawsuit, you may file your

own lawsuit with any counsel of your choosing, or do nothing.

If you return a Consent to Join form, you should be aware that

important decisions concerning the prosecution of this case

including for the FLSA claims may be made on your behalf.

8. NO LEGAL EFFECT IN NOT JOINING THIS LAWSUIT

If you choose not to join this collective action, you will not

be affected by any judgment, whether it is favorable or unfavorable

to Plaintiffs and the collective class. If you choose not to file

a Consent to Join form, you are free to file your own lawsuit. If

you choose not to file a Consent to Join form, the statute of

limitations will continue to run until such time as you file a

lawsuit on your own behalf.

9. NO RETALIATION PERMITTED

FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS 24 HOUR FITNESS OR ITS AGENTS FROM TAKING

ANY ACTION AGAINST YOU BECAUSE YOU ELECT TO JOIN THIS ACTION BY

FILLING OUT AND RETURNING THE “CONSENT TO JOIN” FORM, OR OTHERWISE

EXERCISING YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FLSA.

10. ADMINISTRATOR

CPT Group, Inc.

16630 Aston

Irvine, California 92606

Facsimile: 949-852-9340

Telephone: 888-687-3491

11. PLAINTIFFS’ COLLECTIVE ACTION COUNSEL

Thomas G. Foley, Jr. State Bar No. 065812

Philip D. Dracht, State Bar No. 219044 

FOLEY BEZEK BEHLE & CURTIS, LLP

15 West Carrillo Street

Case 3:06-cv-00715-SC Document 145 Filed 05/09/07 Page 11 of 14
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 6

Santa Barbara, California 93101

Telephone (805) 962-9495

Fax: (805) 965-0722

tfoley@foleybezek.com; pdracht@foleybezek.com 

Richard E. Donahoo, State Bar No. 186957

Thomas J. Welch, State Bar No. 242065

DONAHOO & ASSOCIATES

505 North Tustin Avenue, Suite 160

Santa Ana, California 92705

Telephone (714) 953-1010

Fax: (714) 953-1777

rdonahoo@donahooandassoc.com 

12. DEFENDANTS’ LEGAL REPRESENTATION

Henry D. Lederman

Lisa C. Chagala

LITTLER MENDELSON, P.C.

2175 North California Blvd., Ste. 835

Walnut Creek, CA 94596

(925) 932.2468

hlederman@littler.com

13. FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information about this lawsuit, including any part

of this notice, please contact Plaintiffs’ counsel at the following

toll-free number: 1-800-549-1789 or email. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE

COURT OR ANY COURT PERSONNEL FOR INFORMATION. 

THIS NOTICE AND ITS CONTENTS HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE UNITED

STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. THE

COURT HAS TAKEN NO POSITION IN THIS CASE REGARDING THE MERITS OF

PLAINTIFFS’ CLAIMS OR DEFENDANTS’ DEFENSES.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 9, 2007.

 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:06-cv-00715-SC Document 145 Filed 05/09/07 Page 12 of 14
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 7

FILING INFORMATION

1. INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING CONSENT TO JOIN FORMS

If you choose to join this FLSA collective action, your

“Consent to Join” form must be completed, signed and returned.

Your “Consent to Join” form must be postmarked or fax-dated no

later than [insert date 60 days after the mailing

date].

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

If you send a “Consent to Join” form to the Notice

Administrator and then move or change your address, please advise

Plaintiffs’ counsel:

Thomas G. Foley, Jr. State Bar No. 065812

Philip D. Dracht, State Bar No. 219044 

FOLEY BEZEK BEHLE & CURTIS, LLP

15 West Carrillo Street

Santa Barbara, California 93101

Telephone (805) 962-9495

Fax: (805) 965-0722

tfoley@foleybezek.com; pdracht@foleybezek.com 

Richard E. Donahoo, State Bar No. 186957

DONAHOO & ASSOCIATES

505 North Tustin Avenue, Suite 160

Santa Ana, California 92705

Telephone (714) 953-1010

Fax: (714) 953-1777

rdonahoo@donahooandassoc.com 

2. FURTHER INFORMATION

To obtain further information about this lawsuit, including

your right to join, please contact Plaintiffs’ counsel at the

address or phone number listed directly above.

Case 3:06-cv-00715-SC Document 145 Filed 05/09/07 Page 13 of 14
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28 8

CONSENT TO JOIN LAWSUIT AS A PARTY PLAINTIFF

Beauperthuy, et al. v. 24 Hour Fitness, et al., United States District Court

for the Northern District of California. Case Number C-06-00715 SC.

I understand that this lawsuit is being brought under the federal Fair Labor

Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 201, et seq. I consent, agree, and

opt-in to become a party plaintiff to this lawsuit. I agree to be bound by any

adjudication or settlement of this action by the Court, whether it is favorable

or unfavorable, and agree to designate the class representatives as my agents, and

I understand that I will be bound by the decisions and agreements made by an

entered into by said representatives. I hereby designate the law firms of Foley,

Bezek, Behle & Curtis, LLP and Donahoo & Associates, to represent me in this

action.

I am a current or former employee of 24 Hour Fitness, and I worked in the

following position(s) at 24 Hour Fitness:

Position Club Location Dates Employed (Month/Year)

__________________ __________________ _____________________________

__________________ __________________ _____________________________

__________________ __________________ _____________________________

Dated:_________________ Signature:___________________________________________

Name (Printed): _______________________ Telephone:_________________________

Address:_____________________________________________________________________

Email address:_______________________________________________________________

This form must be returned by mail POSTMARKED (or successfully faxed) NO LATER

THAN [insert date] to:

CPT Group, Inc. 

16630 Aston

Irvine, California 92606

Facsimile: 949-852-9340

Case 3:06-cv-00715-SC Document 145 Filed 05/09/07 Page 14 of 14