A Historic Settlement
Knight-Swift Agrees to $100 Million Settlement for Truck Drivers
On January 22, 2020, a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona granted final approval to a $100 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit filed on behalf nearly 20,000 truck drivers who leased a truck from Interstate Equipment Leasing, Inc. and drove for Swift Transportation Co., Inc., now Knight-Swift Transportation (KNX).
The drivers alleged that Swift misclassified them as independent contractors and failed to pay legally-required minimum wages for each hour worked in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Plaintiffs also alleged violations of state wage and contract laws as well as violations of federal forced labor statutes.
Martin & Bonnett, P.L.L.C. is co-counsel for the drivers along with Getman Sweeney & Dunn, PLLC, and Edward Tuddenham, Esq. The litigation was hard-fought, spanning nearly 10 years with multiple appeal proceedings. The $100 million settlement is one of the largest settlements under the Fair Labor Standards Act in U.S. history.
“We applaud the courage of the named Plaintiffs for bringing and persevering with this case. We are proud of our work and that of our terrific co-counsel and are so pleased that at this very difficult time so many class member drivers will be receiving their well-deserved settlement awards as approved by the Court.”
- Susan Martin, Partner at Martin & Bonnett PLLC.
The case is Van Dusen, et al v. Swift Transportation Co. Inc., et al, No. 10-899, filed in United States District Court for the District of Arizona.
Additional news coverage of the historic settlement is linked below.
KJZZ (Phoenix)