Pagliacci has settled a class-action lawsuit for $3.75 million to resolve claims involving wages, tips, breaks and mileage reimbursement
Notices were mailed or emailed last week to just over 1,000 former and current Pagliacci Pizza delivery drivers informing them that the Seattle-based company has settled a class-action lawsuit for $3.75 million to resolve claims involving wages, tips, breaks and mileage reimbursement, according to an attorney involved in the years-long litigation.
King County Superior Court Judge Catherine Shaffer has given the agreement preliminary approval with a final approval hearing scheduled for July 16, said Toby Marshall of the Terrell Marshall Law Group, which represents former Pagliacci Pizza driver Steven Burnett. Provided the judge signs off on the settlement agreement, delivery drivers can expect a check in the mail in early September, he said.
The 1,012 current and former delivery drivers who are considered class members will have until June 15 to exclude themselves from the class, if they choose, but don’t have to take any action to receive a payment, Marshall said. A 25% share of the settlement will pay for attorneys’ fees and expenses, with the drivers each receiving an average payout of $2,776, though the highest award will be just over $25,000, he said.
Pagliacci Pizza and its attorneys “actually took a very hard line that they didn’t do anything wrong,” Marshall said. “Our hope is this is going to be a wake up call to treat their drivers appropriately under the law.”