The Litigation Counsellor®
$18.8 Million Proposed Settlement Reached in Military Leave Lawsuit Against Southwest Airlines
On September 13, 2018, a proposed settlement of $18.8 million was reached between Southwest Airlines Co. (“Southwest”) and a class of 2,000 current and former Southwest pilots who alleged that the airline denied them paid sick leave and matched retirement contributions for periods of short-term military leave that lasted 14 days or less (“STML”), all in violation of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA”).
Volkswagen Facing Age Discrimination Class Claims
German automaker Volkswagen AG (“VW”) is facing yet another class action lawsuit, this time filed by an employee who claims that VW violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as well as the Tennessee Human Rights Act.
$1.8 Million Verdict Awarded in Wage Suit Against Miami Strip Club
On June 26, 2018, a jury in Florida federal court awarded $1.8 million to a class of eight exotic dancers who alleged that their employer had willfully violated the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Plaintiffs originally filed suit in October 2014. The plaintiffs alleged that they were classified as independent contractors by the various executives and managers of the Miami-area gentlemen’s club, King of Diamonds, despite having to adhere strict rules set in place by the club. King of Diamonds is owned by parent companies Galardi South Enterprises Inc. and Fly Low Inc.
$2.2 Million Proposed Settlement Reached in Food Delivery Service Fee
On June 12, 2018, notice of a proposed $2.2 million settlement was sent out to around 93,000 class members who filed a class action lawsuit against restaurant delivery service, Caviar. Plaintiffs allege that the company misled patrons into paying an 18% service charge that was labeled as a “gratuity fee” on orders.
Judge Approves P.F. Chang’s $6.5M Wage and Hour Settlement
Approved by U.S. District Judge Janis C. Sammartino on Monday, May 21, 2018, P.F. Chang’s has agreed to a non-revisionary settlement of $6.5 million for alleged wage and labor violations. The class to benefit includes all non-exempt, hourly workers who were employed by the chain’s restaurants from January 22, 2009 to May 21, 2018.
$3.8 Million Settlement Reached in Bus Driver Wage Dispute Class Action
A $3.875 million settlement was reached on March 30, 2018, between Illinois-based school bus company, Durham School Services (“Durham”), and a class of California bus drivers who argued that the company failed to properly compensate its California employees for meal and rest breaks, as well as failing to pay employees for time spent at mandatory training and safety meetings.
$8.5 Million Settlement Submitted for Final Approval in Gentlemen’s Club Employment Class Action
On February 23, 2018, an $8.5 million settlement was submitted to California federal court judge Jesus G. Bernal by a class of exotic dancers who claimed that their former employer, the Spearmint Rhino nightclub chain, violated the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Famed NYC Eatery Reaches Settlement with Class of Disgruntled Servers
On February 6, 2018, a $975,000 settlement was submitted to U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York, Alison J. Nathan, for preliminary approval by a class of current and former servers of famed New York City eatery Serendipity 3.
$3M Settlement Agreement Reached in New York State Uber Drivers Class Action
On January 8, 2018, ride-share giant Uber Technologies and a proposed class of New York State drivers reached a $3 million settlement that will bring a two-year legal battle to a close.
Google Faces Another Gender-Based Discrimination Lawsuit at Start of New Year
On January 3, 2017, a former Google employee filed a complaint in San Francisco containing another round of gender-based discrimination claims against Google Inc. Plaintiff, Heidi Lamar, is alleging that the company paid more-experienced female workers lower salaries than their less-experienced male counterparts.
Food Delivery App Served with Class Claims from Delivery Drivers
On December 19, 2017, online food-delivery service app, DoorDash.com Inc. (“DoorDash”), served with class claims in Massachusetts court by a delivery driver employed by the company who claims that he and his fellow delivery drivers have been misclassified as contract workers.
Mattress Firm Sued in Employee Overtime Class Action
On December 12, 2017, proposed class claims were filed in Massachusetts federal court against retailer Mattress Firm Inc. (“Mattress”), by sales employees alleging that the sleep store did not pay its employees proper overtime compensation.
$1.48M Settlement Submitted for Preliminary Approval in Atlas Van Lines Wage Dispute Class Action
On November 27, 2017, a $1.48 million settlement was submitted to California federal court Judge George H. Wu for preliminary approval that will bring an end to the Atlas Van Lines wages dispute class action.
Costco In-Store Demonstrators Gain Conditional Class Status in Wage Suit
On November 9, 2017, California federal court judge Yvonne G. Rogers granted conditional class certification to a group of Costco in-store demonstrators (“ISDs”) who claim that the wholesale superstore has been misclassifying the plaintiffs as independent contractors rather than Costco employees.
$2.75M Settlement Submitted for Preliminary Approval in AT&T Overtime Class Action
On September 29, 2017, plaintiffs in the AT&T training managers overtime class action submitted a $2.75 million settlement to California federal judge Vince Chhabria for preliminary approval.
The suit was originally filed in August 2015 by named plaintiffs, Wendall Walton and Michael Mantonya. Plaintiffs alleged that AT&T had been misclassifying company training managers as independent contractors, therefore denying them access to overtime pay.
