KQED Agrees to Pay Nearly $900,00 to Settle Wage-Theft Lawsuit

San Francisco public broadcaster KQED has agreed to fork over $895,000 in relation to a class-action lawsuit accusing them of rampant wage-theft. First filed in 2024, the lawsuit's proposed settlement will undergo a final approval hearing in SF Superior Court in November.

The Chronicle reports that the settlement will cover more than 580 past and present hourly employees of KQED who worked for them between a period spanning from 2019 to 2025. The lawsuit was filed by former employee Dominic Dulaney in 2024, who alleged that KQED was not properly compensating its hourly workers.

In his filing, Dulaney accused his employer of failing to issue certain reimbursement expenses as well as not providing accurate wage statements and employment records. The lawsuit also included allegations that KQED failed to provide legally mandated meal and rest breaks.

Per the Chronicle, one of most serious allegations was that KQED "sometimes created timekeeping records showing employees had taken meal breaks when, according to the complaint, they had actually continued working off the clock."

KQED has denied the claims against them.

In a statement, spokesperson Peter Cavagnaro explained KQED's decision to settle as one made to “protect the station, our members and the community we serve from a protracted and more expensive legal battle.”

A breakdown of the agreement as currently constructed would see about two-thirds of the $895,000 payment distributed to over 580 class members. Payments, in turn, would be based on the total number of hours worked during the time period in question.

Additionally, as part of the deal, KQED would also send $37,500 to California's Labor and Workforce Development Agency, plus an additional $12,500 to be dispersed among hourly employees partially covered under the claim.

The Chronicle notes that Dulaney, as the class representative, could receive as much as $10,000 under the proposed agreement.

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