Pilgrim’s Reaches Settlement to Resolve Farmer Wage-Fixing Case

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. reached a preliminary settlement with a class of thousands of farmers pursuing wage-fixing claims against the giant poultry processor.

The parties informed the US District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma of a proposed “settlement in principle,” according to a brief Wednesday order from the court. The details of the deal weren’t disclosed.

The agreement could end a protracted legal battle over an alleged scheme from some poultry processors to drive down compensation for farmers supplying their chickens. Companies including Sanderson Farms Inc., Perdue Farms Inc., and Tyson Foods Inc. previously reached settlements totaling about $70 ...