Justin Hemmes’ hospitality empire, Merivale, is facing an open class action that alleges it underpaid its staff to the tune of $126 million.

The new lawsuit follows hot on the heels of George Calombaris’ Made Establishment, which was charged $7.83 million for wage theft last year.

Employment law firm Adero will represent an estimated 8000 current and former Merivale employees from across its 70+ venues, which include Totti’s, The Newport, Fred’s, Mr Wong, Coogee Pavilion, and more.

Adero will argue that Merivale staff members were regularly overworked and underpaid for their efforts. Adero claims that chefs and managers were contracted to work a 38-hour week, while frequently rostered on for 55 hours.

They will also argue that Merivale’s paid staff under an expired agreement that allowed them to shave as much as 20 percent off the award amount. If Adero is successful, it could see significant compensation for as many as 8000 workers.

A Merivale spokesperson has slammed the class action, describing it as baseless.