Ecolab Settles Overtime Class Action for $7.5M

SAN FRANCISCO (CN) – A federal judge gave final approval to a $7.5 million settlement of an employment class action against food-safety giant Ecolab.     Lead plaintiff Nick Cancilla represented a class of 580 Ecolab employees who claimed that the company did not pay its pest-elimination service specialists accurate overtime wages.     U.S. District Judge James Donato gave preliminary approval to the settlement in August.     In his final approval order, Donato said that “the relief available to the class is reasonable in light of the risks they face.”     Twenty-five percent of the $7.5 million settlement fund – about $1.8 million – will go toward attorneys’ fees. The nine class representatives will receive $3,000 each, and up to $45,000 will go to the settlement administrator.     About $5.4 million will be distributed among class members.     Lead counsel on both sides did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment on Friday afternoon.