Beef and Pork Wages Settlement — $200.2 Million for Processing Plant Workers Who Were Underpaid Through Wage-Fixing
Steve Levine | Published: February 26, 2026
Status: Open — File a Claim
Participation Deadline: October 7, 2026
Total Settlement: $200,200,000
Proof Required: No — If you received a notice, you are automatically included
If you worked at a beef or pork processing plant in the United States between January 1, 2000 and February 27, 2024, you may be eligible to receive money from a $200.2 million class action settlement. Major meat processing companies including Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill, Hormel, National Beef, and others agreed to pay after being accused of conspiring to keep workers’ wages artificially low.
This is one of the largest wage-fixing settlements in U.S. history. The lawsuit alleged that some of the biggest names in the beef and pork industry shared confidential wage data, entered into no-poach agreements, and coordinated to suppress pay for hundreds of thousands of plant workers across the country.
All defendants deny any wrongdoing.
If you received a notice by mail or email, you are already in the class and will receive money automatically if the settlement is approved. If you did not receive a notice, you must submit a participation form by October 7, 2026.
Who Qualifies for the Beef and Pork Wages Settlement?
You are part of the settlement class if you worked at any of the defendant companies’ beef or pork processing plants in the United States between January 1, 2000 and February 27, 2024. You qualify even if you only worked for one of these companies for a short period during that time.If you received a postcard or email notice, records already show you are in the class. If you did not receive a notice, you can check your eligibility at BeefPorkWages.com by searching your name or checking whether your employer is on the list.
There are two groups within the class:
The main class covers workers employed at any defendant’s beef or pork processing plant between January 1, 2000 and February 27, 2024. This group is eligible for a share of $188.95 million.
A smaller subclass covers workers employed between January 1, 2014 and February 27, 2024. This group is also eligible for an additional share of $11.25 million from settlements with Seaboard Foods and Perdue Farms.
If you worked during the 2014–2024 period, you may qualify for payments from both pools.
Which Companies Are Paying the Settlement?
Thirteen companies have reached settlements totaling $200.2 million. Here is what each company is paying:
Tyson Foods, Inc.: $72,500,000
JBS USA Food Company: $55,000,000
Cargill, Inc. & Cargill Meat Solutions Corp.: $29,750,000
National Beef Packing Company, LLC: $14,200,000
Hormel Foods Corp., Rochelle Foods, LLC & Quality Pork Processors, Inc.: $13,500,000
Seaboard Foods, LLC: $10,000,000
American Foods Group, LLC: $4,000,000
Perdue Farms, Inc.: $1,250,000
WMS (Webber, Meng, Sahl & Company): Cooperation only (no payment)
Triumph Foods, LLC: Cooperation only (no payment)
Total: $200,200,000
JBS USA Food Company: $55,000,000
Cargill, Inc. & Cargill Meat Solutions Corp.: $29,750,000
National Beef Packing Company, LLC: $14,200,000
Hormel Foods Corp., Rochelle Foods, LLC & Quality Pork Processors, Inc.: $13,500,000
Seaboard Foods, LLC: $10,000,000
American Foods Group, LLC: $4,000,000
Perdue Farms, Inc.: $1,250,000
WMS (Webber, Meng, Sahl & Company): Cooperation only (no payment)
Triumph Foods, LLC: Cooperation only (no payment)
Total: $200,200,000
The lawsuit is still ongoing against seven remaining defendants: Agri Beef Co., Agri Stats, Inc., Greater Omaha Packing Company, Indiana Packers Corporation, Smithfield Foods, Inc., Smithfield Packaged Meats Corporation, and Washington Beef, LLC. Even if you only worked for one of these non-settling defendants, you can still receive money from the settled companies’ funds if you are part of the class.
How Much Will I Get from the Beef and Pork Settlement?
The exact payment amounts are not yet known. The total fund is $200.2 million, but the following deductions will be taken before money is distributed to workers:• Attorney fees: up to 33.33% ($66,726,660) plus interest
• Lawsuit costs: up to $6,000,000
• Notice and administration costs: up to $4,000,000
• Class representative service awards: up to $30,000 each for three representatives ($90,000 total)
After these deductions, the remaining money (the Net Settlement Fund) will be distributed pro rata — meaning proportionally — to all class members. Your individual payment will depend on how long you worked at any of the defendants’ plants, how much money you earned during the class period, and how many total class members there are.
Workers who were employed for longer periods and earned higher wages during the class period will receive larger payments. This is why it is important to update your employment and earnings information at the settlement website to make sure you receive the full amount you are owed.
How to File a Claim for the Beef and Pork Wages Settlement
Your next steps depend on whether you received a notice:If you received a notice by mail or email:
You do not need to submit a claim form. You are already included and will receive money automatically if the settlement is approved. However, you should go to BeefPorkWages.com and update your contact information, employment history, and earnings data to make sure you receive the correct payment amount.If you did NOT receive a notice:
You must submit a participation form to be eligible for payment. You can file online at BeefPorkWages.com or print a paper form and mail it to: Beef Pork Wages Settlement, c/o A.B. Data, Ltd., P.O. Box 173052, Milwaukee, WI 53217.Your participation form must be submitted online or postmarked by October 7, 2026.
You may need to provide a copy of an official photo ID (like a driver’s license or employee ID from one of the companies) or a copy of at least one paycheck or paystub from your time working at one of the plants.
What Was the Beef and Pork Wage-Fixing Lawsuit About?
The lawsuit, filed in 2022, alleged that major beef and pork processing companies violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by conspiring to suppress wages for their plant workers. The companies allegedly used several methods to coordinate their wage-fixing scheme:They exchanged confidential wage data through third-party consulting firms — specifically Agri Stats and Webber, Meng, Sahl & Company (WMS) — which collected and distributed monthly reports containing detailed compensation information across the industry.
They entered into “no-poach” agreements where companies agreed not to recruit or hire each other’s employees, removing competitive pressure to raise wages.
They allegedly held secret meetings to discuss wage levels and coordinate pay decisions, ensuring that no single company broke ranks by offering significantly higher compensation.
The lawsuit claimed this conspiracy affected hundreds of thousands of workers at approximately 140 beef and pork processing plants across the United States, causing workers to earn significantly less than they would have in a competitive labor market. The defendants together produced approximately 80% of the red meat sold in the U.S.
All defendants denied the allegations and any wrongdoing.
Will My Information Be Shared with Immigration Authorities?
No. The court specifically ordered that any information you provide in this case will be treated as confidential and used only for settlement administration purposes. Your information will not be shared with any immigration or law enforcement authority. The court ruled that information provided by class members cannot be given to anyone else without a court order.This protection applies whether you submit your information online, on paper, or through the settlement website.
What Happens If I Do Nothing?
If you received a notice by mail or email and do nothing, you will still receive money if the settlement is approved. However, you should still update your information at the settlement website to make sure you get the correct amount.If you did not receive a notice and do nothing, you will not get any money. You must submit a participation form by October 7, 2026 to be included.
Either way, if you stay in the class (and do not opt out), you give up the right to sue the settling defendants separately over the same claims.
Beef and Pork Wages Settlement: Key Dates
• January 1, 2000 – February 27, 2024: Class period (eligible employment dates)• November 14, 2022: Lawsuit filed (Brown v. JBS USA Food Co.)
• April 10, 2026: Deadline to opt out or object to the settlement
• June 4, 2026: Final approval hearing (Denver, CO)
• October 7, 2026: Deadline to submit participation form (if you did not receive notice)
Beef and Pork Settlement: Is the Money Taxable?
Yes. Any money you receive from this settlement will be treated as wages and will be subject to applicable tax withholding. An IRS Form W-2 will be issued. Required payroll taxes will be withheld from your payment and paid by the settlement administrator. If you have tax questions, consult a tax professional.Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies?
Anyone who worked at any of the defendant companies’ beef or pork processing plants in the United States between January 1, 2000 and February 27, 2024.Do I need to file a form?
If you received a notice by mail or email, no — you are automatically included. If you did not receive a notice, you must submit a participation form by October 7, 2026.How much will I get?
Payment amounts depend on how long you worked at the defendants’ plants, how much you earned, and how many total class members there are. The total fund is $200.2 million before deductions.When will payments be sent?
After the court approves the settlement and any appeals are resolved. The final hearing is June 4, 2026. Payments could begin later in 2026 or early 2027 depending on the timeline.Is my information safe?
Yes. The court ordered that all information provided by class members is confidential and will not be shared with immigration or law enforcement authorities.What if I worked for a company that hasn’t settled?
You can still receive money from the companies that have settled if you are part of the class. The lawsuit continues against seven remaining defendants.Submit Claim
Settlement Notice
Case Details
Case: Brown v. JBS USA Food Co., No. 1:22-cv-02946Court: U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
Judge: Hon. Philip A. Brimmer
Total Settlement Amount: $200,200,000
Class Period: January 1, 2000 – February 27, 2024
Subclass Period: January 1, 2014 – February 27, 2024
Class Representatives: Ron Brown, Minka Garmon, Jessie Croft
Class Counsel: Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC; Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP; Handley Farah & Anderson PLLC
Defense Counsel: Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP (and others)
Settlement Administrator: A.B. Data, Ltd.
Participation Form Deadline: October 7, 2026
Opt-Out/Objection Deadline: April 10, 2026
Final Approval Hearing: June 4, 2026 (Denver, CO)
Official Settlement Website: BeefPorkWages.com
Class Action Settlement Information
This page is for informational purposes. OpenClassActions.com is not a law firm and is not a claims administrator. For legal advice speak with an attorney licensed in your state.How Do I Find Class Action Settlements?
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Submit Claim| Settlement Summary | |
| Status | Open — File a Claim |
|---|---|
| Participation Deadline | October 7, 2026 |
| Total Settlement | $200,200,000 |
| Largest Payer | Tyson Foods ($72.5M) |
| Class Period | Jan. 1, 2000 – Feb. 27, 2024 |
| Proof Required | No (if you received notice); Photo ID or paystub (if you didn’t) |
| Opt-Out Deadline | April 10, 2026 |
| Final Hearing | June 4, 2026 (Denver, CO) |
| Case | Brown v. JBS USA Food Co., No. 1:22-cv-02946 |
| Court | U.S. District Court, D. Colorado |
| Immigration Safe | Yes — court-ordered confidentiality |
| File a Claim | Beef Pork Wages |