In a compelling legal saga, more than 1,700 Walmart workers have fervently urged a California federal judge to endorse a revamped $2.25 million settlement in a high-stakes unpaid overtime class action. The narrative takes a twist as the workers unveil a strategic adjustment that seeks justice by basing payouts on total earnings rather than conventional weekly metrics.
Walmart Workers Seek OK Of Revised $2.25M OT Deal : Overcoming Past Hurdles
In a motion filed on Monday, the resilient workforce highlighted their commitment to rectifying deficiencies flagged by the court in its September 25 order. The court had previously shot down their initial motion, emphasizing a skewed compensation structure favoring part-time employees. The initial method relied on weeks worked rather than hours, an approach deemed unfair to full-time counterparts.
Walmart Workers Seek OK Of Revised $2.25M OT Deal : Unraveling the Details
Despite the setback, the court had acknowledged the fairness and reasonableness of the settlement’s components, including unpaid overtime, waiting time, Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) penalties, and administration costs. Intriguingly, the renewed motion refrains from revisiting these aspects. The earlier filing in August outlined proposed PAGA penalties at $100,000 and estimated settlement administration costs exceeding $27,000.
A Ray of Compensation
Out of the expansive class of 1,715, the workers underscored a pivotal revelation — 516, constituting 30% of the class, are poised to receive a minimum of $1,000 in back wages and damages. This substantial recovery, equating to 67 hours of pay, adds a layer of complexity to the evolving legal drama.
Walmart Workers Seek OK Of Revised $2.25M OT Deal : Defining the Class
The settlement class, encompassing all current and former hourly non-overtime-exempt workers at Walmart’s Apple Valley, California, distribution center from May 17, 2012, through Sept. 28, 2018, sets the stage for an intricate legal battle with significant implications.
Seeking Recognition and Approval
In a bold move, the workers also appealed for the court’s nod on $750,000 in attorney fees and a $20,000 incentive award for named plaintiff Juan Garcia. This acknowledgment, resonating with eight years of dedication, underscores Garcia’s tireless efforts in representing the class since initiating the suit in state court back in May 2016.
Walmart Workers Seek OK Of Revised $2.25M OT Deal : Silence From the Fray
As the legal battle unfolds, representatives for the involved parties remained tight-lipped, with no immediate responses to inquiries as of Tuesday.
