Safeway’s $1.45 Million Work Labor Laws Settlement Earns Initial Approval

Safeway agreed to settle a wage and hour class action lawsuit and the deal has received preliminary approval from a California judge.

Under the terms of the agreement, the grocery chain would pay $1.45 million to resolve the claim that approximately 35,000 California Safeway employees were given inaccurate pay stubs, in violation of state work labor laws.

The settlement agreement now awaits final approval, at which point it would resolve the claims filed in March 2017 by plaintiff and former Safeway employee Linda A. on behalf of herself and others in her position. According to the lawsuit, Safeway failed to properly report workers’ pay, failed to provide accurate pay stubs, and, when employees left the company, failed to provide them all wages owed.

Linda filed her class action lawsuit under both California’s work labor laws as well as the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). Enacted in 2004, the PAGA authorizes employees to pursue litigation over California labor violations on behalf of the state.

It has taken some time for the parties involved in this lawsuit to reach a settlement. Just after Linda first filed her lawsuit in 2017, Safeway asked that the case be reassigned from its initial judge, Alameda Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman, claiming he was prejudiced against Safeway and therefore couldn’t be impartial to preside over the case. The request to switch to a different judge was granted, and it was reassigned to Judge Smith.

After about a year of negotiations, the parties filed a motion in July for preliminary approval of the settlement. Class members who wish to receive compensation from the settlement will be required to submit a claim.

Under this preliminarily approved deal, workers participating in the suit would receive an average of at least $23.19, though if some eligible class members don’t file a claim, the compensation per person would increase. At most, workers will be allowed to receive up to six times their actual damages. The lead plaintiff plans to ask for a $5,000 service award for her part in the lawsuit.

Filing a California Wage and Hour Lawsuit

If you have been affected by violations of federal or state work labor laws—such as inadequate overtime pay, inaccurate pay stubs, or others—you may be able to join this class action lawsuit investigation and pursue compensation.

Filing a lawsuit can be daunting, especially when for workers who fear retaliation by their employer. However, there are laws in place to protect workers from this kind of retaliation. Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork and can connect you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim as well as navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

Join a Free California Wage & Hour Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you were forced to work off the clock or without overtime pay within the past 3 years in California, you have rights – and you don’t have to take on the company alone.

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