$200.2 Million Beef and Pork Wage Lawsuit Settlement, Who Is Eligible and How to File a Claim
A $200.2 million class action settlement resolves allegations that major beef and pork processing companies conspired to suppress the wages of U.S. plant workers in violation of federal antitrust law. Ten major U.S. beef and pork processors have agreed to a combined $200,200,000 settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging that the companies unlawfully conspired to suppress the wages of workers at their processing plants. Eligible workers may file claims online at BeefPorkWages.com by October 7, 2026.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Lawsuit Type | Wage Suppression Antitrust Class Action |
| Defendants | Tyson Foods, JBS USA, Cargill, Hormel Foods, National Beef, Seaboard Foods, Perdue Farms, American Foods Group, Rochelle Foods, Quality Pork Processors, WMS & Company |
| Current Status | Preliminarily Approved — Claim Period Open |
| Who May Be Affected | Beef and pork processing plant workers employed Jan. 1, 2000 – Feb. 27, 2024 |
| Settlement Amount | $200,200,000 |
| Claim Deadline | October 7, 2026 |
| Official Website | BeefPorkWages.com |
| Administrator | A.B. Data Ltd. / 1-877-411-4775 / [email protected] |
Current Status and What Happens Next
On January 15, 2025, Judge Philip A. Brimmer for the U.S. District Court of Colorado granted preliminary approval of $188.95 million in settlements against Tyson, Cargill, JBS USA Food, National Beef, and other defendants.
Here is where the case stands:
- Preliminary approval: Granted January 15–23, 2025
- Claim filing period: Now open through October 7, 2026
- Opt-out / exclusion deadline: April 10, 2026
- Final approval hearing: June 4, 2026
- Payment distribution: After final court approval and resolution of any appeals
The class action lawsuit remains ongoing for the following parties that have not agreed to a settlement: Agri Beef Co.; Agri Stats, Inc.; Greater Omaha Packing Company; Indiana Packers Corporation; Smithfield Foods; Smithfield Packaged Meats Corporation; and Washington Beef, LLC.
What the Lawsuit Alleges
The complaint alleges that the defendants violated Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act by conspiring to fix and depress compensation paid to employees at red meat processing plants. The lawsuit was filed on November 14, 2022, on behalf of plant workers and all those similarly situated.
The companies allegedly used two main methods to coordinate wage suppression. The pork processor defendants subscribed to AgriStats to exchange and receive monthly confidential reports containing wage rates for multiple categories of workers. Defendants also allegedly entered into illegal “no-poach” agreements to refrain from recruiting and hiring each other’s employees.
Together, the companies named in this lawsuit produce roughly 80% of the red meat sold in the U.S. and own and operate approximately 140 red meat processing plants in the continental United States.
All defendants deny any wrongdoing. Cargill stated that it sets compensation independently to ensure fair pay and competitive wages and that the settlement is solely to avoid larger litigation costs.
Who Could Be Included
The main class covers anyone who worked at a defendant’s beef or pork processing plant in the United States between January 1, 2000, and February 27, 2024. This class is eligible for payments totaling $188.95 million. A subclass covers anyone who worked at a defendant’s plant between January 1, 2014, and February 27, 2024, and is eligible for payments totaling $11.25 million.
Affected employees include those who worked at defendant companies, their subsidiaries, or related entities at beef-processing or pork-processing plants in the continental U.S.
The class does not include those employed by Webber, Meng, Sahl, and Company, Inc. or Agri Stats, Inc.
Individuals who received a notice by mail or email are confirmed class members. Those who did not receive a notice may still qualify and should check their eligibility online or by contacting the settlement administrator.
Settlement Details
Total Settlement Fund
Tyson Foods will pay $72.5 million, JBS USA will pay $55 million, Cargill will pay $29.75 million, National Beef will pay $14.2 million, Hormel Foods will pay $13.5 million, and American Foods will pay $4 million. Previous settlements include agreements reached with Perdue ($1.25 million) and Seaboard Foods ($10 million), bringing the total recovery to $200.2 million.
How to File a Claim
Class members who received a notice do not need to provide any additional information or submit a claim separately — they are already included. Class members who did not receive a notice need to provide a copy of an official photo ID or a paycheck stub from their time at one of the companies, along with employment data including the company name, workplace location, dates worked, pay rate, average weekly hours, and job title.
To submit a claim form online, class members can go to BeefPorkWages.com, complete each relevant field, and attach documentation demonstrating eligibility and employment.
Mail claims to: Beef Pork Wages Settlement c/o A.B. Data Ltd. PO Box 173052 Milwaukee, WI 53217
Phone: 1-877-411-4775 Email: [email protected]
Key Deadlines:
- Opt-out / exclusion deadline: April 10, 2026
- Claim filing deadline: October 7, 2026
- Final approval hearing: June 4, 2026
Payment Timeline
Compensation will begin to be distributed to class members only after final approval has been granted and any appeals have been resolved.
Prior Cases and Industry Context
The beef and pork wage case fits a broader pattern of antitrust enforcement in U.S. food processing. The DOJ launched investigations into no-poach agreements in the meatpacking sector following reports of suppressed wages in rural communities that largely depend on these plants for employment.
The case includes allegations tied to a data-sharing arrangement through AgriStats, a third-party firm that distributed confidential compensation reports across pork processors, allowing companies to monitor each other’s wage levels and maintain suppressed pay rates. Similar data-sharing arrangements have drawn scrutiny in the poultry processing sector, where a separate class action produced hundreds of millions in settlements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a class action lawsuit?
Yes. A class action lawsuit was filed in November 2022 against major beef and pork processing companies, alleging they unlawfully conspired to suppress wages in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. The case is captioned Brown v. JBS USA Food Company, et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.
Has the settlement been approved?
The court has granted preliminary approval to settlements totaling $200.2 million. A final approval hearing is scheduled for June 4, 2026. Payments will not be distributed until after the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.
Who may be eligible to file a claim?
Employees who worked at a beef or pork processing plant operated by one of the defendant companies in the United States between January 1, 2000, and February 27, 2024, may be eligible.
Do I need to file a claim if I received a notice?
Class members who received a settlement notice by mail or email are already included in the settlement and do not need to take additional action to receive payment. However, you should update your contact and payment information at BeefPorkWages.com to ensure you receive your payment.
What is the official settlement website?
The court-approved settlement website is BeefPorkWages.com, administered by A.B. Data Ltd. This is the only authorized source for claim forms, eligibility checks, and settlement updates.
What is the claim deadline?
The deadline to submit a claim form is October 7, 2026. The deadline to opt out of the settlement is April 10, 2026.
Which companies are part of the settlement?
Settling companies include Tyson Foods, JBS USA, Cargill, National Beef, Hormel Foods, American Foods Group, Seaboard Foods, and Perdue Farms. Litigation continues against Agri Beef, Agri Stats, Greater Omaha Packing, Indiana Packers, Smithfield Foods, Smithfield Packaged Meats, and Washington Beef.
Do I need a lawyer to participate?
No. You can file a claim or verify eligibility directly at BeefPorkWages.com at no cost. Filing is free and does not require an attorney.
Additional Context
This case is one of the largest wage-suppression antitrust settlements ever reached on behalf of hourly processing plant workers. The lawsuit alleges that the defendant processors engaged in the conspiracy to increase their profits by reducing labor costs, which comprise a substantial share of each defendant processor’s total operating costs.
Workers at beef and pork plants often earn hourly wages in physically demanding and sometimes hazardous conditions. If you believe you qualify, the claim process is straightforward and free to complete at BeefPorkWages.com.
Last Updated: March 3, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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