We reported Thursday, how a class action suit against BlackBerry, seeking more than $20-million in damages, had been filed on behalf of more than 300 employees across Canada who allege they lost their severance entitlements after being transferred to the Ford Motor Company of Canada.
BlackBerry has now stated that it will defend itself “vigorously” against the employee lawsuit. BlackBerry spokeswoman Sarah McKinney wrote in an email to CBC News Friday morning.
“We have reviewed the allegations in the lawsuit, and are confident we complied with all our obligations to our employees,”Â
“Therefore, we believe the case lacks merit and we will defend against it vigorously.”
Nelligan O’Brien Payne contends the company structured the transfer to circumvent paying such entitlements and filed a notice of action on Wednesday in Ontario Superior Court on behalf of David Parker, a 14-year employee of BlackBerry who claims he accepted a transfer to Ford before being told that he would not receive any termination benefits from BlackBerry or retain his years of service.
According to the suit, the plaintiffs are seeking $20 million in damages, saying the company “knowingly misled the employees.”
