Wage Dispute at Hy-Vee
A proposed class-action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa on June 26, 2026, alleging that the grocery chain Hy-Vee Inc. has systematically failed to pay overtime wages to its department managers. The complaint, filed on behalf of former employee Dawn Nicosia and others, claims the company classifies these roles as exempt from overtime to minimize labor costs.
The lawsuit asserts that department managers—including those in bakery, meat, and produce departments—spend the majority of their time on manual labor rather than managerial duties. According to the filing, these employees are required to work at least 45 hours per week without additional compensation, despite lacking authority to hire, fire, or discipline staff. A Hy-Vee spokesperson stated that the company believes the allegations lack merit and intends to address them through the legal process.
Shareholder Scrutiny of Bio-Techne
Separately, Monteverde & Associates PC announced an investigation into Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH) regarding its proposed sale to Merck KGaA. Shareholders are expected to receive $73.00 per share in cash under the current terms. Legal analysts are reviewing whether this transaction provides adequate value to investors, a common step in high-stakes M&A activity.
These filings reflect a broader trend of increased litigation surrounding both labor classification and corporate governance, as firms continue to face heightened scrutiny from both regulatory bodies and private legal counsel.