A heated wage dispute between Southern Colorado Waste and Recycling LLC and its drivers has reached a turning point, as both sides told a Colorado federal court Friday they’ve reached a settlement agreement in a proposed class and collective action over missed meal breaks.

While the exact terms remain under wraps, court filings confirm that the parties have “reached an amicable resolution” to the lawsuit that accused the waste management company of failing to properly compensate its drivers.

U.S. District Judge noted in a brief minute order Friday that dismissal documents are expected by November 10, signaling the deal’s formal conclusion.

Allegations of Wage Deductions and Worker Surveillance

The June complaint painted a detailed picture of alleged labor violations, claiming that Southern Colorado Waste and Recycling routinely deducted 30 minutes of pay from each driver’s shift for meal breaks — even when drivers never stopped working.

According to the lawsuit, the company’s own GPS tracking systems and in-cabin cameras proved drivers were still on duty during those supposed breaks. The complaint also alleged that workers repeatedly complained to management about the deductions, yet the practice continued unchecked.

The case, brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Colorado wage laws, sought to represent a broader class of drivers across the state who were allegedly shorted pay.

Settlement Marks Closure to a Broader Labor Battle

While details of the Colorado Waste settlement have not yet been made public, the resolution likely spares both sides from an extended court battle that could have spotlighted industry-wide labor practices in waste collection.

Southern Colorado Waste and Recycling, which services communities across the region, did not respond to requests for comment. The plaintiffs’ attorneys also remained silent on the financial terms of the deal.

Still, the agreement signals the end of a dispute that underscores a broader national tension — how companies balance efficiency, worker monitoring, and fair compensation in increasingly tech-driven workplaces.