Dept. of Labor & Indus. v. Lanier Brugh

**What the Case Was About** This case involved mail carriers working for Skyline Mail Carriers, Inc. and supervisor Lanier Brugh. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries claimed these workers should have received overtime pay under state law when they worked more than 40 hours per week. The company argued they didn't have to follow Washington's overtime rules because they were working under a federal mail service contract, and federal law should take priority over state law. **What the Court Decided** The Washington Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the workers. The court determined that federal law does not override Washington State's Minimum Wage Act when it comes to overtime requirements for mail carriers working under federal contracts. This means employers must still pay overtime wages for any hours worked beyond 40 in a week, even when performing federal contract work. **Why This Matters for Workers** This decision protects workers from employers trying to avoid paying overtime by claiming federal contracts exempt them from state wage laws. It ensures that Washington workers doing federal contract work still get the overtime protections guaranteed under state law, preventing companies from using federal contracts as a way to shortchange employee wages.