Coca-Cola Bottling Company Agrees to Pay Over $2 Million in Settlement

A Washington state-based Coca-Cola bottling company has agreed to pay over $2 million in a class-action settlement. Swire Coca-Cola USA, one of Coca-Cola's independent bottling partners, will send estimated payments of $672.54 to around 2,000 current and former employees who worked between September 9, 2022, and March 10, 2026. The lawsuit alleged that the company had noncompete agreements and employment policies that restricted lower-paid workers from taking other jobs or working as independent contractors.

Swire Coca-Cola USA has over 8,000 employees across 13 Western U.S. states, including Washington, where it is headquartered in Draper, Utah. The settlement fund of $2,003,000 will cover court-approved attorneys' fees, expenses, administration costs, and service awards for the named plaintiffs.

Eligible workers do not need to take any action to receive their payment, which will be sent by check or digital payment option. Payments are expected to be issued about 60 days after final approval of the settlement, scheduled for November 13.