CHICAGO — Five workers have filed a class action lawsuit against food product maker Kerry Inc. for alleged violation of state law.
Maximo Fernandez, Arturo Cordona, Sergio Duran, Rodrigo Puentes and Isaias Villanueva filed a complaint on Nov. 7 in Cook County Circuit Court, alleging the defendant collected and stored scans of their fingerprints without consent.
According to the complaint, the employer required workers to scan their fingerprints every time they clocked in and out of work, yet allegedly did not inform workers in writing why the scans were being collected, how the scans would be stored and ultimately disposed of, and did not obtain workers' written consent. The plaintiffs allege this violates the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act.
According to the complaint, Kerry employs hundreds of workers at three locations in suburban Melrose Park, Elk Grove Village and Carol Stream.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek statutory damages, injunctive and equitable relief, court costs, interest and any further relief this court grants. They are represented by Alejandro Caffarelli, Lorrie T. Peeters and Alexis D. Martin of Caffarelli & Associates Ltd. in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2017CH14831