Coca-Cola Washington Worker Settlement: $2 Million, About $672 per Worker
Settlement — Claims Process
The coca cola washington worker settlement in the news is a $2,003,000 class settlement with Swire Coca-Cola, USA, an independent Coca-Cola bottler, not The Coca-Cola Company. It covers about 2,003 lower-paid Washington employees. The notice estimates $672.54 each. There is no claim form; payment arrives by mail if the court approves the deal at a hearing on November 13, 2026. The deadline to opt out, object or change how you are paid is November 2, 2026.
Questions about this case?
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What the Lawsuit Says Happened
Washington law, RCW 49.62.070, bars an employer from restricting a worker who earns less than twice the state minimum hourly wage from holding an additional job, working for another employer, freelancing or being self-employed. There are exceptions for safety and for the employer's reasonable and normal scheduling expectations.
The lawsuit alleges that Swire Pacific Holdings, Inc., which does business as Swire Coca-Cola, USA, used noncompetition covenants and employment policies that restricted lower-paid Washington employees from taking other paid work. Under the statute, a covenant that violates the chapter carries actual damages or a $5,000 statutory penalty, whichever is greater. Swire denies the allegations and says it settled to avoid the cost and risk of continued litigation. The court has not decided who is right.
Case details
Braithwaite et al. v. Swire Pacific Holdings Inc., No. 25-2-26285-5 SEA, Superior Court of Washington for King County, before Judge Rania Rampersad. It is a state-court case, not a federal one. Kevin Braithwaite filed the complaint on September 9, 2025; an amended complaint added Steven Dedeaux as a second named plaintiff. Class Counsel is Emery Reddy, PC in Seattle. The court-authorized website is SettlementSPHI.com, run by the administrator Simpluris, Inc.
Status: Preliminarily Approved, Final Hearing November 13, 2026
No money moves until the court approves the settlement and any appeals are finished. Do not confuse this with the 2025 Teamsters contract: in May 2025 five Teamsters locals representing 800 Swire workers in Western Washington reached a tentative labor agreement, which was also reported as a “settlement.” That was a union contract and pays nothing under this case. For other matters involving the Coca-Cola brand, see our Coca-Cola lawsuit overview.
Who Is in the Class
The class is current and former employees of Swire Pacific Holdings, Inc. who worked in Washington and earned less than twice the applicable state minimum hourly wage between September 9, 2022 and March 10, 2026. In dollars, that means hourly earnings below $28.98 in 2022, $31.48 in 2023, $32.56 in 2024, $33.32 in 2025 or $34.26 in 2026.
Class members were identified from Swire's own records, so the practical test is whether you received the notice by mail or email from Simpluris. If you think you qualify but heard nothing, call the administrator at (888) 428-6649 or email info@SettlementSPHI.com. Customers who bought Coca-Cola products are not part of this case.
How Much Each Worker Gets
Payments are reported as non-wage damages on Form 1099, not as wages, and they do not count as compensation for benefits. Checks expire and become void 180 days after they are issued. To see what a share looks like under different deductions, try the settlement payout calculator.
Swire Coca-Cola Settlement Timeline
September 9, 2022 — Class Period Begins
The class covers Washington work from this date for employees under twice the state minimum hourly wage.
September 9, 2025 — Complaint Filed
Kevin Braithwaite sues Swire Pacific Holdings in King County Superior Court under Washington's anti-moonlighting law, Chapter 49.62 RCW.
March 10, 2026 — Class Period Ends
The settlement covers work through this date.
August 10, 2026 — Preliminary Approval
Judge Rania Rampersad preliminarily approves the $2,003,000 settlement and authorizes Simpluris to send notices.
November 2, 2026 — Opt-Out and Objection Deadline
Last day to exclude yourself, object, update a mailing address or choose a digital payment.
November 13, 2026 — Final Approval Hearing
The court decides whether to approve the settlement, fees and service awards. Payments follow only after approval and any appeals.
Three Things to Watch For
A headline about “Coca-Cola sending checks” reaches far more people than the 2,003 workers in the class:
“Claim your Coca-Cola payment” forms
This settlement has no claim form; class members were taken from Swire's payroll records and are paid automatically. A site asking a customer or a stranger to sign up for a share is not the administrator.
Fake “digital payment” links
The real option to switch to digital payment uses a Login ID and PIN from your notice on SettlementSPHI.com. A text or email with another link asking for bank login details or your full Social Security number should be checked by calling (888) 428-6649.
Fees to “release” your check
Class Counsel's fees come out of the fund with court approval; you are not charged. Anyone asking you to pay a processing or tax fee before you get your share is not part of this case.
Coca-Cola Washington Worker Settlement — Questions People Ask
Short answers to the questions people ask most about this case.
What is the Coca-Cola Washington worker settlement?
A $2,003,000 class settlement in Braithwaite v. Swire Pacific Holdings Inc., No. 25-2-26285-5 SEA in King County Superior Court. The lawsuit alleges Swire Coca-Cola restricted lower-paid Washington employees from holding other jobs. Swire denies wrongdoing.
Is this The Coca-Cola Company?
No. The defendant is Swire Pacific Holdings, Inc., doing business as Swire Coca-Cola, USA, one of Coca-Cola's independent bottling partners. It operates in 13 Western states, is headquartered in Draper, Utah and has more than 8,000 employees, per The Independent.
How much money will I get from the class action settlement?
The notice estimates $672.54 per class member. Everyone who did not opt out receives an equal share after fees, costs, service awards and administration costs are deducted, so the final figure can change.
Do I need to file a claim?
No. If the court approves the settlement and you did not exclude yourself, the payment comes by mail. Keep your address current with Simpluris; the deadline to choose a digital payment is November 2, 2026.
When will the payout arrive?
Not before the final approval hearing on November 13, 2026. The official FAQ says payments go out after all appeals are completed; The Independent reports payments are expected about 60 days after final approval. Checks become void 180 days after issuance.
How much do Coca-Cola factory workers get paid?
This settlement does not report pay rates. It only covers Swire workers in Washington who earned under twice the state minimum wage, which was $34.26 an hour in 2026 and $33.32 in 2025. Higher earners are not in the class. For other employer claims, see suing an employer.
Will Swire retaliate if I take part?
The official FAQ states that the company will not retaliate against anyone for participating, not participating or objecting, and that the decision will not affect your employment.
Is the settlement payment taxable?
Payments are characterized as non-wage damages and reported on Form 1099. How that affects your return depends on your situation; a tax preparer can tell you.
About This Information
Editorially Reviewed — Content reviewed for accuracy using published legal research, government data, and verified court records. See our methodology. Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated - $236 billion in real payouts analyzed · See what we found
This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Lawsuit status, eligibility, and compensation can change. Settlement Insight is not a law firm and does not represent any party. Consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.
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