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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A former Pep Boys worker has settled his lawsuit against the auto repair chain in which he alleged that he was forced to work while injured and fired in 2021 when he complained.
Attorneys for plaintiff Edwin Morales filed court papers on Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court stating that a "conditional" accord was reached and that a request for dismissal will be brought by May 27. No terms were divulged.
Last October, Judge Mel Red Recana ordered the parties into binding arbitration after both sides informed him they were willing to take the case in that direction.
Morales alleged his hours as a general service technician at the Van Nuys location were reduced and that he was wrongfully fired in February 2021 in retaliation for repeatedly complaining about being asked to lift tires despite being injured with shoulder and back pain.
When his hurting became unbearable, Morales informed Pep Boys, but one boss told the plaintiff to "Suck it up" and another said, "That is your job description. You have to," according to the suit filed in January 2023.
In their court papers, Pep Boys attorneys maintain Morales was fired for insubordination and that his allegations were meritless.