AT&T $1.75 Million Wage and Hour Settlement: Were You Affected? Payments Sept 2026, Gerald Arevalo, et ano. v. AT&T Mobility Services LLC, et al., No. 25-2-20318-2 SEA

If you worked as a non-exempt AT&T employee in Washington since July 2022, you were not imagining those skipped breaks. AT&T agreed to pay $1.75 million to settle claims it failed to properly compensate employees for missed and noncompliant meal and rest periods. Here’s what that means for you.

Quick Facts

Lawsuit Filed	2025
Defendant	AT&T Mobility Services LLC, New Cingular Wireless PCS, AT&T Enterprises, AT&T Services, AT&T Inc.
Alleged Harm	Failure to provide compliant meal and rest breaks under Washington wage and hour law
Law Alleged	Washington state wage and hour law
Who Is Affected	1,028 non-exempt AT&T employees in Washington, July 11, 2022 – May 6, 2026
Court & Case Number	King County Superior Court, WA, No. 25-2-20318-2 SEA
Current Stage	Preliminarily approved — no action needed to receive payment
Lead Plaintiff Deadline	N/A
Settlement Status	Preliminarily approved — final hearing pending
Last Updated	July 8, 2026

Who Is AT&T and Why Are They Being Sued Over Breaks in Washington?

AT&T runs retail stores and call centers across Washington staffed by hourly, non-exempt workers whose shifts are built around meal and rest periods required by state law. That structure only works if breaks actually happen on schedule. This case claims they often didn’t.

What Did AT&T Do to Washington Employees Between 2022 and 2026?

The lawsuit — Gerald Arevalo, et ano. v. AT&T Mobility Services LLC, et al. — alleges AT&T failed to provide compliant meal and rest breaks to non-exempt employees working in Washington. Washington law requires a paid 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked and an unpaid 30-minute meal break for shifts over five hours, timed to fall within specific windows of the shift. When breaks are late, cut short, or skipped, the law treats that as a compensable violation — not just an inconvenience.

AT&T denies the allegations and has not been found liable by any court. The company agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation and a possible trial.

That distinction matters, but here’s what doesn’t change either way: if you’re in this class, you’re getting paid without lifting a finger.

For the full rules on what Washington requires around meal and rest breaks — including the exact timing windows — see AllAboutLawyer.com’s Washington State Wage and Hour Laws guide.

Are You Part of the Group Affected by the AT&T Washington Settlement?

Here’s exactly how to know if this case includes you.

• You worked as a non-exempt employee for AT&T Mobility Services, New Cingular Wireless PCS, AT&T Enterprises, AT&T Services, or AT&T Inc.
• Your employment was based in Washington state
• You worked at any point between July 11, 2022, and May 6, 2026

You’re not part of this class if:

• You worked for AT&T outside Washington state
• You were classified as exempt during the covered period

Related article: Equifax $2.2 Million Credit File Error Settlement, Check If You Qualify — Bradberry v. Equifax Information Services LLC, No. 1:22-cv-04754-MLB

AT&T Employees Outside Washington — Are You Still Covered?

No. This settlement is state-specific. It covers only the 1,028 people identified as non-exempt AT&T employees in Washington during the class period. If you worked for AT&T in another state, this case doesn’t apply to you — though similar wage and hour protections may exist under your own state’s laws.

Not sure whether your role qualified as non-exempt? A Washington employment attorney can help you confirm your status before the exclusion deadline.

What Do You Need to Do to Get Paid?

Nothing. This is the good part — there’s no claim form to file. If you’re one of the 1,028 class members, you’re automatically included and will be paid without submitting anything.

Payments are pro rata cash, calculated based on the total number of qualifying work weeks you worked during the covered period. Half of your payment will be reported as wages, and the other half is treated as non-wage damages — that distinction affects how it’s taxed, so keep any settlement paperwork for your records and consult a tax professional if you have questions.

You can select how to receive your payment — paper check mailed to the address on file, or electronic payment through the online payment selection form. If you do nothing at all, you’ll still receive a paper check.

Here’s what’s happening with the fund itself: of the $1.75 million total, settlement administration costs take up to $35,000, attorneys’ fees take $583,333.33, attorneys’ expenses take up to $5,000, and the two class representatives each receive a $35,000 service award. What’s left goes directly to class members based on hours worked.

What Should Affected Employees Do Right Now?

1. Most class members are automatically included — no action required to receive payment.
2. If you want electronic payment instead of a mailed check, visit attwagesettlement.com and use the payment selection form.
3. Confirm your mailing address is current if you’re expecting a paper check.
4. Save any notice you received — it documents your inclusion in the class.
5. If you disagree with the settlement, you can exclude yourself by August 6, 2026 — but doing so means giving up any payment.
6. Watch for your check or electronic payment roughly 52 days after the September 11, 2026 final approval hearing.

Should AT&T Settlement Class Members Opt Out or Object?

What Opting Out Means

Opting out means you receive no payment from this settlement, but you keep the right to pursue your own individual wage and hour claim against AT&T separately. Most people should not opt out without talking to an employment attorney first, since individual litigation carries its own cost and risk.

How to Object

If you want to stay in the class but disagree with the settlement terms, you can object and tell the court directly. The exclusion deadline and objection procedure are the same — August 6, 2026 — and the required format is listed on attwagesettlement.com.

Talk to a wage and hour attorney before August 6, 2026 if you’re considering either option.

AT&T Washington Settlement — Key Dates, 2026

Milestone	Date
Class period begins	July 11, 2022
Class period ends	May 6, 2026
Settlement preliminarily approved	2026
Exclusion/Objection Deadline	August 6, 2026
Final Approval Hearing	September 11, 2026
Expected Payment Date	Approximately 52 days after final approval

AT&T Washington Settlement — Frequently Asked Questions, No. 25-2-20318-2 SEA

Is there really a $1.75 million AT&T settlement for Washington employees?

 Yes. AT&T agreed to pay $1.75 million to resolve Gerald Arevalo, et ano. v. AT&T Mobility Services LLC, et al., alleging missed and noncompliant meal and rest breaks under Washington law.

Do I need to file a claim to get paid? 

No. Class members are automatically included and don’t need to submit a claim form. You can choose electronic payment, or you’ll receive a paper check by default.

How much will I receive? 

Payments are pro rata, based on how many qualifying work weeks you worked for AT&T in Washington during the class period. There’s no flat amount — it varies person to person.

Is my settlement payment taxable?

 Half is treated as wages and half as non-wage damages, which affects tax treatment differently. Consult a tax professional about your specific situation.

What if I no longer work for AT&T? 

Former employees are included if they worked as a non-exempt employee in Washington at any point during July 11, 2022 – May 6, 2026, regardless of current employment status.

When will I actually get paid?

 Approximately 52 days after the court grants final approval at the September 11, 2026 hearing.

Can I sue AT&T separately instead of taking the settlement payment? 

Only if you exclude yourself from the class by August 6, 2026. Talk to an employment attorney before making that decision.

Sources Used in This AT&T Washington Settlement Article

• Class Notice — Arevalo v. AT&T: https://www.attwagesettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Class-Notice-Arevalo-v.-ATT_web.pdf
• Settlement Agreement: https://www.attwagesettlement.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/001-Arevalo-Settlement-Agreement.pdf
• Official Settlement Website FAQ: https://www.attwagesettlement.com/faqs-2/

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances differ. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney.