In a dramatic turn of events, two Massachusetts FedEx drivers have clinched a $166,733 settlement from the logistics titan, ending a prolonged legal battle over alleged overtime wage violations. The settlement, a significant leap from previous offers, includes $20,000 for each driver and $126,733 in attorney fees, but stops short of FedEx admitting any liability.
The saga began in 2017 when Jordan Roy and Justin Trumbull filed a collective action under the Fair Labor Standards Act, accusing FedEx of underpaying them and over 400 fellow drivers for overtime. The lawsuit, initially broad in scope, was substantially trimmed in April when a Boston federal judge agreed with FedEx’s argument to decertify the collective action. The judge ruled that the drivers’ varying pay practices and circumstances did not justify proceeding as a group.
FedEx Drivers $166K Settlement offer, which emerged Monday, represents a dramatic increase from an earlier proposal of $8,400 each plus attorney fees. This latest deal was reached under Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 68, allowing the case to be resolved without FedEx acknowledging any wrongdoing. The settlement highlights the complex nature of the dispute, as the company has consistently maintained that the drivers were employed through independent service providers rather than directly by FedEx.
