Facts

Both Edwin Ralda and Christina Seehof were former employees of Smart & Final Stores, Inc. in California. On December 12, 2018, Ralda, individually and on behalf of all similarly situated and aggrieved Smart & Final employees in California, against Smart & Final Stores alleging various Labor Code violations. The class included all persons employed by Smart & Final during the period between December 14, 2014, and October 12, 2021 in a non-exempt store position in California who did not sign an arbitration agreement. On August 13, 2019, Seehof filed a class action against Smart & Final Stores, Inc. in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging similar Labor Code violations. On March 31, 2021, Ralda and Seehof and Smart & Final attended a full day mediation with mediator Mark Rudy, but were not able to reach a settlement on that date.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS: Plaintiffs alleged that defendant failed to: provide meal periods; provide rest periods; pay minimum and regular wages; indemnify for all necessary work expenses, provide accurate itemized wage statements; pay all overtime wages; and timely pay wages due upon separation of employment to its non-exempt California employees. Plaintiffs contended that as a result of defendant's violations, defendant engaged in unlawful business practices in violation of the California Business & Professions Code.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant denied all contentions.

Result

Defendant agreed to pay a $2,000,000 settlement.