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SALT LAKE CITY — A former newspaper carrier is appealing a lawsuit alleging he was denied tips and reimbursement for mileage by his employer.
Attorneys for Joseph Goeckeritz filed a notice of appeal in 3rd District Court Thursday, saying they would ask the Utah Court of Appeals to hear the case. A judge dismissed it in July.
The suit filed against Newspaper Agency Corp. in April 2016 alleged the company fails to pay mileage reimbursements and keeps tips intended for carriers on some routes.
Goeckeritz argued the NAC misclassified him as an independent contractor, denying him driving expenses and customers' tips that he was entitled to under federal and state labor laws.
On July 7, Judge Mark Kouris issued a decision saying the carrier under his contract was responsible for providing his own car and fuel, among other equipment, for the job; was indeed an independent contractor; and only was entitled to tips on specific routes.
NAC oversees home delivery for the Deseret News and the Salt Lake Tribune. It is part of Utah Media Group, the joint advertising, circulation and production arm of the two papers.
