PCA Central California Corrugated Accused of Wage Violations by Former Employee

The court filing reveals a significant class action lawsuit filed against a major packaging company accused of violating multiple labor laws, affecting numerous employees. On February 17, 2026, Christopher Rhynes lodged the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, targeting PCA Central California Corrugated, LLC and its affiliates. The lawsuit highlights serious allegations concerning unfair competition and failure to adhere to various labor codes.

Christopher Rhynes, representing himself and other similarly situated employees, accuses PCA Central California Corrugated, LLC and its associated entities of systematically failing to comply with California’s labor laws. According to the complaint, these companies have been involved in practices that violate several sections of the California Labor Code. The accusations include not paying minimum wages as required by law (Cal. Lab. Code §§ 1194, 1197 & 1197.1), failing to compensate for overtime work (Cal. Lab. Code § 510), and not providing mandatory meal and rest periods (Cal. Lab. Code §§ 226.7 & 512). Furthermore, the plaintiff claims that the defendants did not provide accurate itemized wage statements (Cal. Lab. Code § 226) and failed to reimburse employees for necessary expenses incurred during their employment (Cal. Lab. Code § 2802).

Rhynes alleges that these unlawful practices were part of a broader strategy by the defendants to cut costs at the expense of employee rights and fair compensation. He argues that these actions constitute unfair competition under Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17200 due to their deceptive nature and violation of public policy.

The lawsuit seeks several forms of relief from the court on behalf of Rhynes and all affected employees within the defined “California Class.” The plaintiffs are asking for an injunction against future violations by the defendants and restitution for lost wages due to missed meal breaks and unpaid overtime work as per state law requirements.

Additionally, they seek compensation for all unreimbursed business expenses incurred by employees while performing their duties under company policies that mandated such expenditures without proper reimbursement.

Representing Rhynes is a team from Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, including attorneys Norman B. Blumenthal, Kyle R. Nordrehaug, Aparajit Bhowmik, Nicholas J. De Blouw, and Jeffrey S. Herman—known for handling complex employment litigation cases across California courts.

This case has been assigned Case No: 2S OOS F 25 in front of Judge K Johnson at Sacramento’s Superior Court where it will be deliberated whether these alleged breaches warrant compensatory damages or further punitive measures against PCA Central California Corrugated LLC along with its parent organizations like Packaging Corporation Of America among others named in this suit alongside fifty unidentified co-defendants (“DOES”).