The American Samoa governor's office has been notified it faces a lawsuit if it goes ahead with plans to cut workers' hours.
American Samoa Governor Lolo Moliga. Photo: RNZI Monica Miller
The suit concerns contracted employees, who may be affected by government plans to cut working hours to seven hours each day, down from eight.
KHJ News reported the person threatening the action was taking a stand on principle.
The argument was that a signed contract specified an employee's terms of employment, including hours and compensation and the government cannot take a unilateral action to set this aside.
The government wanted the cutbacks because of uncertainty surrounding federal funding.