Facts

Plaintiffs are a group of approximately 20,500 seasonal agricultural workers. Meanwhile, defendant Fowler Packing was a commercial grower, packer, and shipper of various fruits, while defendant Ag Force is a farm labor contractor. Defendant Fowler Marketing International was responsible for marketing and selling the crops that Fowler Packing owns and that Ag Force employees harvest. On October 20, 2016, plaintiffs brought a wage and hour class action against Fowler Packing, Fowler Marketing International, and Ag Force, alleging a variety of state and federal labor law violations. The class included all individuals who were employed by defendants as a non-exempt "field worker" or agricultural worker from March 17, 2011, to January 1, 2019.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS: Plaintiffs alleged that defendants failed to: pay all wages due or provide necessary tools, compensate for rest breaks, pay all wages due under the employment contract by requiring off-the-clock work and allowing the use of "ghost workers," pay overtime wages, pay minimum wages, provide necessary tools or reimburse for tools, retain the benefits of labor without reasonable compensation, keep accurate records or provide accurate wage statements, record and pay for travel time and wait time, reimburse for vehicle expenses, and provide meal periods and keep accurate records of meal periods for its agricultural workers.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: Defendants denied all contentions.

Result

Defendants agreed to pay $7,875,000 to settle the case.