Perdue Farms Inc. has agreed to pay $60.7 million to settle claims that the meat processor conspired to suppress competition for labor and lower workers’ wages at poultry processing plants and other facilities.
The proposed settlement and the plaintiffs’ request for approval of its terms, filed March 14 in the US District Court for the District of Maryland, follow more than three years of litigation.
Workers sued the Salisbury, Md.-based company—and other chicken processors, including Tyson Foods Inc. and Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.—for allegedly violating the Sherman Act by conspiring to drive down hourly wages and salaries at poultry processing operations. ...