Mills filed the putative class action in Pierce County Superior Court in December 2025, alleging that Saia committed wage violations against hourly and non-exempt employees in Washington state.
Saia removed the case to federal court in January 2026, asserting the case satisfied CAFA requirements, including an amount in controversy over $5 million.
Mills' amended complaint alleges that Saia engaged in a common course of failing to provide rest and meal breaks, withholding pay for overtime and missed breaks, preventing accrual of sick leave, and failing to maintain accurate payroll records.
Mills specifically claimed he took his meal break late three to four times a week and was required to complete work before clocking in several times a month.
He argued that Saia's removal calculation relied on an inflated 60% violation rate, an erroneous average hourly wage, and speculative attorneys' fees.
Saia's regional human resources manager, Alex Strocsher, estimated class members earned between $20.67 and $48.40 per hour, with most having one year or more of tenure.
The court held that Saia's 60% violation rate was reasonable because Mills' complaint alleged a uniform course of conduct, specifically noting that missing three out of five weekly meals amounts to a 60% rate.
Although the court accepted Mills' argument that Saia used an incorrect average hourly wage, adjusting it to $29.50 per hour, the calculated damages still exceeded the threshold when doubled for alleged willful violations.
Including a 25% attorneys' fee award, which the court found reasonable based on circuit precedent, the total amount in controversy reached $5,484,061.85.