Conagra Unfair Wages $18M Class Action Settlement

Current or former employees of Conagra Foods, Ralcorp Holdings, or Conagra Foods Packaged Foods who worked in certain California facilities since Oct. 20, 2011, may be eligible to receive a payment thanks to an $18 million class action settlement.

Class Members in the Conagra lawsuit settlement include individuals who were employed by Conagra Foods, TreeHouse Private Brands, Ralcorp Holdings, Conagra Foods Packaged Foods either directly or indirectly through a third-party staffing company in Fresno, Colton, Azusa, Helm, Oakdale, Lodi, or Visalia, California, since Oct. 20, 2011.

In the class action lawsuit, the plaintiffs allege the defendants violated California’s wage laws in multiple ways. The plaintiffs allege the company failed to provide rightful overtime pay, the proper minimum wage, wages due at termination, reimbursement for business expenses, and accurate itemized wage statements. Further, the plaintiffs argue, the company would regularly cut short rest and meal breaks while also failing to maintain records of hours worked. The plaintiffs also state they were often required to show up for scheduled shifts but were routinely sent home without compensation or warning.

These actions allegedly constitute a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Conagra has a number of popular food brands in its portfolio, including Slim Jim, Duncan Hines, Birds Eye, Vlasic, and Orville Redenbacher’s.

The company denies all allegations made by the plaintiffs. The defendants produced tens of thousands of pages of documents that included handbooks, wage and hour policy documents, work schedules, and payroll records. Over the past two and a half years, both parties have taken part in Settlement discussions. After considering the risks and costs of ongoing litigation, both parties have decided it’s in their best interests to settle this case for $18 million.

As part of the agreement, Class Members will receive a payment from a $700,000 reimbursement cost fund. 

On average, each Class Member should expect to receive about $1,180. The actual payment amount may vary depending on the number of Class Members who file claims and are eligible to receive a payment.

A final approval hearing for this Conagra lawsuit settlement is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2022. 

Class Members who wish to object to the current Conagra lawsuit settlement agreement must do so by Nov. 29, 2021. 

Class Members also have a right to opt out of this settlement if they wish to pursue individual litigation against the company in the future. This deadline is also Nov. 29, 2021.

The deadline to file a claim is also Nov. 29, 2021.

Who’s Eligible

Class Members in the Conagra lawsuit settlement include individuals who were employed by Conagra Foods, TreeHouse Private Brands, Ralcorp Holdings, Conagra Foods Packaged Foods either directly or indirectly through a third-party staffing company in Fresno, Colton, Azusa, Helm, Oakdale, Lodi, or Visalia, California, since Oct. 20, 2011.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Please attach any documents that evidence your employment with Defendants and/or the dates that you worked for Defendants during the Class Periods, such as paystubs.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

11/29/2021

Case Name

Negrete et al v Conagra Brands Inc fka ConAgra Foods Inc et al, Case No. 2:16-cv-631-FMO-AJW, in the U.S. District Court Central District of California

Final Hearing

01/13/2022

Settlement Website

NegreteClassAction.online

Claims Administrator

Settlement Administrator
Negrete et al v Conagra Brands Inc fka ConAgra Foods Inc et al
c/o Simpluris, Inc.
P.O. Box 26170, Santa Ana, CA 92799
866-719-6196

Class Counsel

Matthew J. Matern
Launa Adolph
Deanna S. Leifer
MATERN LAW GROUP PC

Farzad Rastegar
Douglas W. Perlman
RASTEGAR LAW GROUP

Shaun Setareh
SETAREH LAW GROUP

Eric Rouen
THE DOWNEY LAW FIRM LLC

Defense Counsel

Josef S. Glynias
Andrew J. Weissler
Scott D. Meyers
HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP

Nicky Jatana
JACKSON LEWIS PC

Kate E. Juvinall
HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP