MUNOZ v. BCI COCA-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY OF LOS ANGELES
Tom Munoz and Phillip Eichten filed a class action lawsuit against BCI Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Los Angeles (BCI), seeking damages and penalties for allegedly unpaid overtime wages, missed meal and rest period wages, and other Labor Code violations and unfair business practices. The proposed class consisted of production supervisors and merchandising supervisors who were allegedly misclassified by BCI as exempt employees. After mediation before a respected mediator, the parties agreed to settle the matter for $1.1 million. Notice of the proposed settlement elicited one objection. Two of the 188 class members opted out of the class and 142 submitted valid claim forms, so that the average net payment to each class member would be about $4,300. The trial court found the settlement fair and reasonable.
The objector, Greg (Tony) Greenwell, appeals. He argues the trial court abused its discretion in approving the settlement, principally because the parties did not provide the court with the information necessary to make a finding that the settlement was reasonable and fair. Court find no merit in Greenwell's contentions and affirm the trial court's order approving the settlement.
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