Salinas v. Kraft Foods Global, Inc.

Filing 42

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR AN ORDER re 29 MOTION for Settlement. Signed by Judge William H. Orrick on 08/26/2013. (jmdS, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 8/26/2013)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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GILBERT SALINAS, individually, and

on behalf of all others similarly
situated,

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Plaintiff,
vs.
KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL, INC., and
DOES 1 through 100, inclusive,

Defendants.

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ATTORNEY’S AT LAW
THE TOWER BUILDING
1970 BROADWAY, NINTH FLOOR
OAKLAND, CA 94612
TEL: [phone]

SCOTT COLE & ASSOCIATES, APC

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Case No. 12-CV-02894
CLASS ACTION
ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION
FOR AN ORDER:
(1) GRANTING PRELIMINARY
APPROVAL OF THE CLASS ACTION
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT;
(2) GRANTING CONDITIONAL
CERTIFICATION OF THE
SETTLEMENT CLASS;
(3) APPOINTING CLASS COUNSEL;
(4) APPOINTING CLASS
REPRESENTATIVE;
(5) APPOINTING SETTLEMENT
ADMINISTRATOR; AND
(6) APPROVING CLASS NOTICE, OPTOUT FORM AND TIMELINE FOR
ADMINISTRATION

The Court, having considered the submissions, arguments and good cause appearing,
hereby ORDERS THAT:
1.

This Court preliminarily approves the Class Action Settlement Agreement and

Release of Claims (“Settlement”) between Plaintiff Gilbert Salinas (“Plaintiff”), on Behalf of
Himself, and all Others Similarly Situated, and Defendant Kraft Foods Global, Inc.
(“Defendant”) and finds that the Settlement is within the “range of reasonableness” as to the
Settlement Class, and that it is the product of good faith negotiations between the parties.
-1Order Granting Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Settlement Approval

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2.

The Court conditionally certifies the proposed Settlement Class contained therein

purpose and with no other effect on this litigation, the proposed Settlement Class meets the

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requirements for certification under Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules 23(a) and 23(b),

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including that: (a) the proposed class is ascertainable and so numerous that joinder of all

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members of the class is impractical; (b) there are predominant questions of law or fact common

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to the proposed class, and there is a well defined community of interest amongst the members of

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the proposed class with respect to the subject matter of the litigation; (c) the claims of

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Representative Plaintiff Gilbert Salinas are typical of the claims of the members of the proposed

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class; (d) Representative Plaintiff Gilbert Salinas and Class Counsel will fairly and adequately

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protect the interests of the members of the class and (e) a class action is superior to other

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ATTORNEY’S AT LAW
THE TOWER BUILDING
1970 BROADWAY, NINTH FLOOR
OAKLAND, CA 94612
TEL: [phone]

and conditionally finds that, solely for the purposes of approving this settlement and for no other

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SCOTT COLE & ASSOCIATES, APC

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available methods for an efficient adjudication of this controversy.

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3.

The Court provisionally finds Scott Cole & Associates, APC to be sufficiently

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experienced and proficient in class action proceedings that they may act as Class Counsel and

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are, therefore, appointed as such.

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4.

The Court provisionally appoints Representative Plaintiff Gilbert Salinas as Class

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Representative.

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5.

The Court grants Class Counsel permission to obtain bids from various companies

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for the administration of this Settlement and grants permission for the Parties to then select the

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most cost efficient bidder as Claims Administrator.

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6.

The Court approves the Revised Class Notice, filed on August 20, 2013. Dkt. No.

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41, Exhibit A. Notice shall be provided to Settlement Class Members as set forth in the

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Settlement and the Court finds that it is the best notice practicable under the circumstances and

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fully complies with the laws of the State of California, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and

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the requirements of due process.

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7.

Defendant will provide the Claims Administrator with the name, last known home

address, home telephone number, email address, and data pertaining to the dates of employment

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-2Order Granting Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Settlement Approval

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for each and every person within the class definition. This data is within Defendant’s

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employment records.

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8.

The Class Notice will be mailed within twenty-five (25) calendar days of the

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Court granting preliminary approval of the Settlement. Plaintiff and Class Members shall not be

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required to pay return postage on the Class Notice and the cost of such postage shall be included

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in the fees and costs of the Settlement Administrator.

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9.

The Court approves the proposed procedure for submitting Requests for

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Exclusion. Class Members must submit a signed, written request to the Claims Administrator

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which clearly states his/her wish not to participate in the Settlement.

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10.

Objections to the Settlement must be filed with the clerk of the court and served

on Class Counsel and Defendant’s Counsel no later than thirty (30) calendar days after the Class

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ATTORNEY’S AT LAW
THE TOWER BUILDING
1970 BROADWAY, NINTH FLOOR
OAKLAND, CA 94612
TEL: [phone]

SCOTT COLE & ASSOCIATES, APC

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Notice is sent (or not more than ten (10) calendar days after the date the Class Notice is re-

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mailed).

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11.

At least 35 days prior to the Final Approval Hearing, Plaintiff will file a motion

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for final approval and judgment, for reimbursement of attorneys’ fees and litigation costs, for

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reimbursement of costs associated with the claims administration of this settlement, and an

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enhancement award to the Representative Plaintiff for his service to the Class.

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12.

The Final Approval Hearing shall be held on November 13, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. to

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determine whether the proposed Settlement is fair, adequate, reasonable, and should be

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approved. Plaintiff’s papers in support of the Settlement, and any application for award of

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attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses to Class Counsel, payment to the California Labor &

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Workforce Development Agency (“LWDA”) for release of claims under the Private Attorneys

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General Act (“PAGA”) under Labor Code §§ 2699 et seq., and any application for a service

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payment to the Representative Plaintiff, shall be filed with the Court on or before October 9,

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2013. Should the proposed Settlement be approved, following the final approval hearing, the

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Court shall enter judgment in accordance with the Settlement that will adjudicate the rights of all

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Class Members who do not opt out, including the named Plaintiff.

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-3Order Granting Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Settlement Approval

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13.

Class Counsel shall provide the Court, at least five (5) calendar days prior to the

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final approval hearing, a declaration by the Settlement Administrator of due diligence and proof

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of mailing with regard to the mailing of the Class Notice.

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13.

Unless otherwise modified by the Court, the dates for performance are as follows:

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Date/Triggering Event:

Event:

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August 26, 2013

Court enters Conditional Approval Order.

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September 10, 2013
[15 calendar days after Conditional Approval]:

Deadline for Defendant to provide the
Stipulated Class Members’ contact information
to Settlement Administrator.

September 30, 2013
[25 calendar days after Conditional
Approval]:

Deadline for Settlement Administrator to mail
Class Notice Package.

October 30, 2013
[30 days after Class Notice Package mailed
(or within ten calendar days of the date the
Class Notice was re-mailed)]:

Last day for Class Members to object to the
Settlement or to opt-out of the Settlement via a
written request for exclusion.

October 9, 2013
[35 days or more before Final Approval
Hearing]

Last Day for Class Counsel to file Motion for
Final Approval.

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ATTORNEY’S AT LAW
THE TOWER BUILDING
1970 BROADWAY, NINTH FLOOR
OAKLAND, CA 94612
TEL: [phone]

SCOTT COLE & ASSOCIATES, APC

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IT IS SO ORDERED.

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Dated: August 26, 2013

__________________________________
The Honorable William H. Orrick
United States District Court Judge

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-4Order Granting Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Settlement Approval