Jiffy Lube hit with class action over no-poach agreement

Jiffy Lube and its parent company are facing a potential class action suit alleging that it prohibited franchises from hiring other Jiffy Lube employees, in violation of federal law (Victor Fuentes, et al. v. Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Shell Oil Company, Pennzoil-Quaker State Company and Jiffy Lube International, Inc., No. 18-5174 (E.D. Penn., Nov. 29, 2018)). It required franchise owners to enter into this no-poach agreement, which likely suppressed wages, the plaintiff argued. Because franchise owners are barred from hiring an employee from another location for at least six months after they leave, the practice obviates the "need for franchise owners to compete for the best workers."The plaintiff, Victor Fuentes, said he believes he is owed "antitrust damages for years of wage suppression.