A federal judge has approved a $3 million settlement between Stemilt Ag Services and employees who were uncompensated during ‘nonprotective time’. The lawsuit alleged the company violated rules regarding employee down time. The workers were uncompensated for the time they spent waiting before and after the work day. This could amount to about a half hour each time.
The lawsuit was filed in October of 2020. U.S. District Judge Salvador Mendoza Jr. approved the settlement on September 9. A quarter of the $3 million settlement will cover attorney fees, while the remaining money will be divided between those employed by Stemilt AG Services.
As reported on wenatcheeworld.com, eligible workers were employed as hand harvesters, pruners, pickers, thinners or farm workers from 2015 to 2018. The money will be allocated based on the number of hours they worked during the three year time period.
