Yes, certain U.S. beef and pork plant workers can share in a no-poach settlement. A no-poach agreement is an pact between employers not to recruit or hire each other's workers.
The case is Brown v. JBS USA Food Co., filed by former workers Ron Brown and Minka Garmon in Colorado federal court on Nov. 11, 2022. According to Agri-Pulse, the suit alleges beef and pork processors conspired to suppress plant-worker pay.
Official resources:
- Read the official notice from Justice — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
- Read the official notice from Justice — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
Table of Contents
- What did workers allege?
- Who is covered by the payout?
- How do you join or stay included?
- What could block payment?
- Does the California case pay meatpacking workers?
What did workers allege?
The complaint alleges processors shared pay data through Agri Stats and WMS. It also alleges coordination meetings and illegal agreements not to recruit each other's red-meat plant employees. The source for those claims is a Sept. 27, 2023 order from the U.S.
District Court for the District of Colorado. As one example, the court summarized an alleged January 2016 pact between Iowa Premium and JBS. That alleged pact covered JBS's Marshalltown plant and Iowa Premium's Tama plant. Workers say such pacts limited job moves and held down wages.
Who is covered by the payout?
The proposed group is generally non-managerial workers at defendants' U.S. beef or pork processing plants between Jan. 1, 2000 and Feb. 27, 2024.
According to the official settlement notice, the formal notice defines the exact plant, employer and date limits. Settling defendants include Tyson Foods, JBS USA, Cargill, Hormel, National Beef, Seaboard, Perdue and others. According to the Morning Ag Clips republication of the Hagens Berman, Handley Farah and Cohen Milstein announcement in the settlement press coverage, they agreed to pay about $202.7 million total, including $55 million from JBS and $72.5 million from Tyson. Check the notice controls if your job title, plant and dates differ from the general description. Office, management and excluded roles do not count under the class definition.
How do you join or stay included?
The process depends on whether you received direct notice. According to the case update from Hagens Berman, workers with mailed or emailed notice showing a compensation amount need not file to participate.
Keep pay stubs, W-2s or plant assignment records if you must prove work dates. Update your mailing address if you move before distribution.
- Received a notice with an amount: update contact and employment information so payment can reach you.
- Received no notice but believe you qualify: submit a Participation Form at BeefPorkWages.com.
- Act by the extended deadline of March 26, 2027 for workers who must file.
What could block payment?
Payments still require final court approval. The court has not yet given final approval to all the proposed settlements. According to the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division, the department filed a Sept.
29, 2026 Statement of Interest objecting to the proposed settlements, described in the Justice Department filing. An objection can change terms, timing or approval. Do not count the listed amount as cash in hand. Watch BeefPorkWages.com and the court docket for approval orders and payment dates.
Does the California case pay meatpacking workers?
No. A separate California settlement involves sanitation contractor PSSI/Fortrex.
According to the California Attorney General, it bars future no-poach clauses and requires $500,000 in civil penalties plus notices to employees and customers. That case aims to stop the contract practice going forward. It creates no joinable worker payout fund like Brown.