From: San Antonio Express-News
By: Patrick Danner
Updated: August 9, 2022
Former GDC Technics employees, including those who worked at Port San Antonio, have reached a settlement in a class-action lawsuit that alleged they were terminated last year without 60 days’ notice as required by federal law.
GDC agreed to settle the dispute with roughly 230 former employees for nearly $1.4 million.
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Lawyers for both sides filed a joint motion Monday with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in San Antonio seeking preliminary approval of the settlement, calling it “fair, reasonable and adequate.”
GDC filed for bankruptcy April 26, 2021, after a dispute with the Boeing Co. over work outfitting two Air Force One aircraft at Port San Antonio. The $3.9 billion contract was awarded to Boeing by the Defense Department in 2018.
GDC was a subcontractor on the Air Force One work until Boeing terminated the company and sued it April 7, 2021, in Tarrant County. Boeing accused GDC of missing deadlines and falling a year behind schedule.
After its termination, GDC laid off more than 200 workers. It later filed a counterclaim, blaming Boeing’s mismanagement for the work delays. GDC also accused Boeing of failing to pay outstanding amounts, which GDC said substantially caused its financial issues.
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“On behalf of the class, we’re pleased with the proposed settlement,” New York attorney René Roupinian said in an email. “It provides the class members a meaningful recovery on their WARN and accrued vacation claims, especially given the employer is in bankruptcy.”
A lawyer representing GDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The maximum settlement for WARN damages was just under $3 million, the court motion states. By settling, it adds, the class will receive “substantial benefits” while “avoiding the risks and potential pitfalls of prolonged litigation.”
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