In a significant victory for over 1,700 California aerospace workers, U.S. District Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel has granted preliminary approval of a $19.9 million settlement in a wage-and-hour class action against subsidiaries of RTX Corporation. The lawsuit, spearheaded by Matern Law Group, PC, alleged widespread violations of labor laws, including failure to provide meal breaks, unpaid overtime, and inaccurate wage statements.
Filed by former Rohr employees Nathaniel Morgan and Michael Bevan, the class action targeted RTX subsidiaries Rohr Inc. and Hamilton Sundstrand Corp. (doing business as Collins Aerospace), accusing the companies of neglecting their obligations under California and federal labor laws. The class encompasses unionized, hourly, non-exempt employees who worked between March 27, 2015, and August 31, 2024.
Judge Curiel acknowledged that the settlement followed years of intense litigation, including extensive written discovery and motion pracxtice, over 30 depositions, and expert analysis of more than 1.1 million employee shifts. Despite the companies’ attempts to narrow the case through motions and appeals, Matern Law Group’s persistence led to a comprehensive agreement just before trial.
In his order, Judge Curiel appointed Matern Law Group as class counsel, citing the firm’s “substantial time, effort, and resources” as instrumental in identifying, litigating, and negotiating the settlement. The court also noted Matern Law Group’s prominent role as one of California’s leading plaintiff-side employment firms, experienced in large-scale class, collective, and representative actions.
The settlement includes a $500,000 allocation under California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and $100,000 for Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) collective claims. Average payments to class members are projected to be nearly $7,000, offering significant financial relief while avoiding the risks of trial.
Attorney Julia Wells of Matern Law Group celebrated the milestone:
“We are extremely pleased with the court’s order granting preliminary approval, which marks a significant step forward in delivering compensation to over 1,500 California workers.”
The case, Morgan v. Rohr Inc. et al., underscores Matern Law Group’s commitment to advocating for workers’ rights and holding major employers accountable. As the firm continues to fight for fair treatment in the workplace, this outcome stands as another example of their impactful legal leadership.
Interested in learning more or think your workplace rights were violated? Contact Matern Law Group for a free consultation today.
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