The statute of limitations prescribed in shall also be applicable (in the case of a collective or representative action commenced prior to under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended [ et seq.]) to an individual claimant who has not been specifically named as a party plaintiff to the action prior to the expiration of one hundred and twenty days after . In the application of such statute of limitations such action shall be considered to have been commenced as to him when, and only when, his written consent to become a party plaintiff to the action is filed in the court in which the action was brought.section 255(b) of this title29 U.S.C. 201May 14, 19471947-05-14May 14, 19471947-05-14