Judge OKs $1.4 Million Delta Settlement

SAN FRANCISCO (CN) - A federal judge granted final approval of a $1.4 million settlement between Delta Airlines and workers who claim they were shorted on wages.

Lead plaintiff Andrew Bell sued in April 2013, claiming Delta's Ready Reserve employees were refused meal and rest breaks, forced to work off the clock, never paid overtime or provided accurate wage statements.

Bell sued under the California Labor Code, the 2004 Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) and the California Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Order.

U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers granted preliminary approval of the settlement July 22 this year and final approval on Nov. 20.

"The court finds that the settlement agreement is fair, reasonable and adequate, is the product of good faith, arm's-length negotiations between the parties, and fully complies with all applicable provisions of the law," the judge wrote.

The settlement provides a fund of $1,415,444 for Ready Reserve employees who worked for Delta during the class period, between March and August 2012. The award includes $353,861 in attorneys' fees, along with $15,576.04 in litigation expenses and $13,367 in costs.

In addition, $10,000 was awarded to the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency under the PAGA. Under the act, $3,500 of the LWDA's award is reserved for lead plaintiff Bell, who also received a litigation service award of $7,500.

Under PAGA, an aggrieved employee is deputized to act as a private attorney general if notice of alleged violations is given to the LWDA, and if the LWDA does not pursue them or does not issue a citation.

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