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$202.7 Million Settlements Reached for Workers

In a historic ruling, law firms Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, Handley Farah & Anderson PLLC, and Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC have announced a monumental $202.7 million in settlements for beef and pork processing workers nationwide. The settlements arise from the case of Brown v. JBS USA Food Co. in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, where it was alleged that several major companies colluded to keep wages unjustly low for their employees.

Legal Background

The lawsuit claims that various beef and pork companies engaged in illegal agreements to suppress wages, thereby denying fair compensation to thousands of workers. According to the allegations, these practices not only breached labor laws but also adversely affected the livelihood of processing plant employees across the country. The companies listed as defendants include prominent names such as Cargill, Tyson Foods, and Hormel Foods, among others.

While the defendants have denied the claims, a number of them have opted to settle to mitigate further legal expenses and reduce risks associated with prolonged litigation. Settlements reached to date involve nine defendants, totaling $191.45 million. Additionally, there is a smaller settlement of $11.25 million involving two other defendants for a specific subgroup of workers, thereby expanding the impact of this legal action.

Who is Affected?

Workers who were employed at any of the defendant companies' processing plants between January 1, 2000, and February 27, 2024, are recognized as part of the primary class eligible for compensation. Furthermore, there is a secondary subclass for those whose work period falls between January 1, 2014, and February 27, 2024.

Eligible participants do not need to take any action if they received a notice detailing their compensation. However, they must update their contact, employment, and earnings information at www.BeefPorkWages.com by February 4, 2027, to receive the owed funds.

Settlement Distribution

The distribution of settlements will depend on factors including the number of people eligible, the duration of employment with the defendant companies, the individual’s earnings, and the total costs approved by the court. It's important for affected individuals to actively participate and ensure their information is correct to secure their rightful compensation.

Timeline and Important Dates

There are several upcoming deadlines that potential claimants need to be aware of:

• - If informing of earnings issues, individuals must update information by February 4, 2027.
• - Those who received no notice must submit a participation form by February 4, 2027 to claim any funds.
• - Individuals wishing to maintain their right to sue must opt out by August 10, 2026. Objections to the settlements can also be made by this date.

A court hearing is scheduled for October 2, 2026, during which the judge will review the proposed settlements and any related requests, including attorney fees. The case continues against a few defendants who have chosen to contest the claims further.

Contact Information

For more information, affected workers can visit www.BeefPorkWages.com or contact the settlement administrator via phone at 1-877-411-4775 or email at [email protected]. They can also send correspondence to:

Beef Pork Wages Settlement,

c/o A.B. Data, Ltd.,

P.O. Box 173052,

Milwaukee, WI 53217.

This landmark resolution not only aims to deliver justice for affected workers but also brings to light the ongoing need for surveillance regarding compliance in wage practices across industries. With the settlements in place, many individuals will hopefully find some financial relief while addressing the broader issues of fair labor standards in the beef and pork processing sector.