High court seems likely to rule against Calif. oil workers

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court seems inclined to rule against workers on oil drilling platforms off California who want to be paid for the off-work time they spend on the platform, including sleeping.

The question for the high court has to do with what law should apply in the case. Federal law wouldn’t require drilling platform workers to be paid for off-the-clock time spent at their work location. But the more generous California law would.

At arguments in the case Tuesday, both conservative and liberal justices seemed doubtful California law applies.

The case is relevant to workers on approximately two dozen oil platforms off California’s coast.

A decision is expected by the end of June.