By L.M. SIXEL 2008 Houston Chronicle
Sept. 25, 2008, 12:52PM

The Labor Department announced today that it sued Cemex for allegedly failing to pay overtime wages to about 2,000 ready mix drivers who work in eight states, including Texas.

The suit, which was filed Sept. 11 in federal court in Houston, estimates that the Mexican company — whose U.S. operations are based in Houston — owes more than $5 million in back wages to its drivers.

The suit followed an investigation by the Labor Department covering the three-year period from September 2005 to September 2008.

Calls to Cemex were not returned immediately.