Latest news with #MeatheadMovers
New York Post
4 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Meathead feds target California movers over nonexistent age discrimination: ‘Weaponization of government'
Which would you be more likely to hire: a moving company whose ads feature energetic, youthful workers or one that highlights its less sprightly, aged employees? That's a no-brainer — even a meathead could answer such a simple advertising question. Yet the federal government has spent about a decade investigating California-based, family-owned Meathead Movers for age discrimination, citing its marketing materials — demanding $15 million in penalties and suing when the company wouldn't cough up the cash. And the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has done this without pointing to a single discrimination complaint. Advertisement Meathead, California's biggest independent moving company, and its CEO, Aaron Steed, are finally fighting back — after a think tank heard about the crazy case. 'The EEOC is not only targeting a successful American company on what appears to be pretextual grounds, but now it's refusing to tell the public why it did that. And we think the public has a right to know,' Jon Riches, the Goldwater Institute's vice president for litigation, tells The Post. Goldwater sent the agency a Freedom of Information Act Request in March, seeking basic facts such as the number of age-discrimination complaints against Meathead Movers and number of EEOC investigations into alleged age discrimination at any moving company since January 2016. The feds refused to 'fess up. Advertisement So this week Goldwater appealed, Riches tells The Post exclusively — and the EEOC has 30 days to respond before the Arizona think tank will sue. 'We bring legal actions to challenge government overreach and unconstitutional action,' explains Riches, an ex-Navy JAG who joined Goldwater in 2012. 'We've had cases of many, many, many other government agencies, and I've never seen anything this unprecedented in my experience.' Most EEOC lawsuits are the result of discrimination complaints. The agency has filed just eight in the last decade based on what it calls 'directed investigations' — those 'without a charge of discrimination filed by an individual.' Meathead Movers' case is one of them. 'We are hopeful that the EEOC stops this ridiculous prosecution of Aaron and his company, but we also want to know why it started and why the government made the decisions it was making,' Riches says. Advertisement Can the feds really fine a firm simply for its marketing — when it's not fraudulent? 'No, I don't think so. And I think that also raises First Amendment concerns. Obviously Meathead Movers has a right to communicate truthful information about lawful activities, including in its marketing materials' — and 'it markets individuals that are capable of performing the job,' Riches says. But, he adds, 'The EEOC doesn't really seem to be too concerned with the First Amendment.' It 'sent Aaron a very staggering gag-order letter. Aaron has not been shy about talking about the facts of the case and what the government's doing to him on social media, and the agency sent him a letter, basically telling him to stop doing that.' Aaron Steed won't stop. 'I'm aware of my constitutional rights, and I'm fighting for my company's existence and the 300-plus families that depend on us,' he tells The Post — noting EEOC 'sent the gag order after Goldwater sent a FOIA request.' Advertisement EEOC started investigating Meathead around 2015 and finally contacted Steed in 2017. He insists the company doesn't discriminate. 'So we welcomed and embraced the EEOC, answered all their questions,' he says. 'We fully cooperated with the investigation, and then we were just shocked when we got a bill for $15 million shortly after — and with the full weight of the federal government to collect it.' How did it arrive at that figure? 'Even though there was not a single complaint against my company that initiated this, their logic was that there's at least 500 class members' — all hypothetical, as Steed notes. EEOC decided lost wages would total $15,000 per person, 'which is a record for age discrimination. No settlement has ever been reached for that amount. And then they multiplied it times two.' Why times two? 'Fees and penalties. And we quickly explained to them, 'Hey, we can't afford that,'' Steed replies. 'It has felt like this has never been about age discrimination. It's been about them trying to run over my company, trying to put us out of business,' he adds. 'It feels personal, and it doesn't make sense.' The 45-year-old started the company as a high-school junior in 1997. 'I wrestled in high school and in college, and this was a perfect job for me to support myself and my friends and my brother while going to school playing sports,' he recalls. 'Once I turned 21, 22, I saved up enough money to buy a truck. And now we have hundreds of employees and 80 trucks.' Steed says he has employees over 40 — even over 60. Still, he notes, 'The reality of our job is that a lot of younger people tend to gravitate towards it. The job description is to move heavy things all day, up and down stairs, and then at Meathead Movers, you're expected to jog.' That's right: After you've put furniture or boxes in the truck, you hustle back for more. 'That's part of what makes us different than typical moving companies,' Steed explains. 'It kept the momentum going, kept us focused as an athlete. It kept us in our flow state. It always really impressed the customers. It made move day more of an athletic event, and since all moving companies charge one hourly rate, we save our clients time and money, and this is what we've done since the get-go.' Advertisement It's a win-win situation: 'My employees love getting paid to work out, and the customers get a great value.' 'We pay $18 to $20 an hour, and you've got to be able to pass a drug test and a criminal-background check to work for us and have a great attitude,' he says. 'We have a reputation for doing really good quality work with people you can trust in your home, and we give back to the community. We're most known for offering unlimited free services to women fleeing abusive relationships, in partnership with eight different domestic-violence shelters across central and southern California.' Steed reflects, 'This has been my life's work.' He hopes to pass the company onto his and his wife's 3½-year-old son one day — if it survives. 'I've already spent well over a million and a half dollars defending myself for a crime I haven't committed, and it is just absolutely destroying us,' he says. 'I can't afford to keep litigating against the federal government. It's incredibly expensive, it's crazy, very time consuming and very stressful.' Advertisement He doesn't know why the feds targeted him. 'Last week, a friend of mine said, 'Hey, did you run over someone's cat over there at the EEOC?'' he says. 'It feels deeply personal, and I really don't understand it.' Goldwater, which is working pro bono, is flummoxed too. Perhaps a former competitor is involved. What it does know: 'The case raises serious questions about the weaponization of government.' 'This would be a really different sort of case if it was based on actual complaints of people who are actually harmed. But for a government agency to concoct these very thin allegations against a successful American company should trouble all your readers,' Riches says. 'Why would the federal government target a company whose job is moving because it hires people who can perform that job, regardless of their age? If it can do that to Meathead, it could do that to anybody. This is a bigger issue than just the EEOC and just Meathead Movers.' Steed spoke to The Post from LAX, where he was awaiting a flight to Washington, DC — where he'll meet Thursday with EEOC Acting Chair Andrea Lucas. Was that a tough meeting to get? Steed laughs. Advertisement 'Yeah,' he finally responds. 'We've been wanting to meet with them for a while, and I'm grateful that the chair has taken time out of her busy schedule to meet with us.' Lucas did not respond to The Post's request for comment. Spokesman Victor Chen said, 'We cannot comment on ongoing litigation, but we can point you to our public statement at the time the suit was filed.' He also sent the 2023 lawsuit filed in federal court. It complains 'Meathead Movers' founders and executive management . . . describe 'young and energetic-student athletes' as part of their founding vision.'
Associated Press
28-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Meathead Movers Enhances Moving Services for Bakersfield, CA
02/28/2025, Bakersfield, CA // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Moving doesn't have to be a nightmare—at least not with Meathead Movers leading the way. As the top moving company in Bakersfield, it has enhanced its services to provide customers with a worry-free relocation experience. From precision packing to high-efficiency moving strategies, these upgraded services ensure that every move is handled with professionalism and care, whether big or small. In this way, customers have peace of mind from start to finish. In response to increasing customer demand for reliable and efficient movers Bakersfield residents and businesses trust, Meathead Movers has introduced specialized services that cater to a diverse range of moving needs. These include handling delicate valuables, executing business relocations, and providing same-day moving assistance. ' We understand that moving can be overwhelming, and our goal is to eliminate that stress by offering streamlined, top-tier moving solutions,' said a company spokesperson. 'These new services reaffirm our commitment to providing an exceptional moving experience for Bakersfield residents.' Meathead Movers also opens its services for professional packing and unpacking, white-glove furniture handling, and a more comprehensive approach to long-distance moves. Its expert packing services ensure that every item is securely wrapped using high-quality materials, minimizing the risk of damage during transit. For long-distance relocations, meanwhile, it offers exclusive shipment transport, meaning customers' belongings are never combined with other items of luggage. This ensures faster delivery times and eliminates the risk of misplaced items. Additionally, the company's complimentary concierge service also assists clients in coordinating with trusted local providers, such as storage facilities and cleaning services, streamlining every step of the moving process. As part of its upgrade, Meathead Movers also invested in state-of-the-art equipment and continuous employee training. Each member of its team undergoes rigorous training to uphold the company's high-performance expectations, ensuring customers receive only the best moving experience. This provider of moving services Bakersfield residents and businesses trust has also earned stellar reviews for its services. It holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), demonstrating its focus on customer satisfaction and ethical business practices. Additionally, it also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, ensuring clients receive top-tier service or a refund. Moreover, it has also been featured on the Inc. 5000 list of America's most successful companies for eight consecutive years, highlighting its steady growth and strong reputation. These achievements reinforce why Bakersfield residents continue to rely on the top-rated movers in the region for safe, efficient, and high-quality relocation services. With these latest advancements, Meathead Movers continues to lead as the most trusted moving company in Bakersfield. Whether a local move, business relocation, or specialty service, the company delivers unmatched quality and efficiency. About Meathead Movers Meathead Movers is a premier moving company in Bakersfield dedicated to providing top-quality relocation services for residents and businesses. With a reputation for reliability and professionalism, the company offers many moving solutions, including local and long-distance moves, packing services, and specialized handling of valuable items. Based in Bakersfield, CA, Meathead Movers continues to set the standard for excellence in the moving industry. Media Contact Meathead Movers
