Trucking Careers · Nationwide · November 14, 2026

Werner's $18 Million Wage Settlement Is Paying Out to About 100,000 Current and Former Truck Drivers

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A sleeper semi parked in the driveway of a modest house at late morning, with a closed mailbox at the curb — Illustration for this story. Not a photo of a specific location.

Werner is paying out an $18 million wage settlement to about 100,000 current and former truck drivers, and there is no claim form to file.

Who is covered

The settlement won final court approval on July 24, Open Class Actions reports. The plaintiffs' law firm, DHKL, also described the approval. Werner says the settlement administrator has started sending checks.

The class covers truck drivers who hauled even one load for Werner between June 4, 2010, and July 14, 2023. Payments go to the address on file. Student truck drivers and leased owner-operators are not included.

Each person in the class gets a base payment, $20 or $40 depending on the class, plus a share based on how many weeks they worked.

What the lawsuit claimed

The lawsuit was filed in 2014. It claimed truck drivers were not paid at least minimum wage for non-driving work, including time in the sleeper berth, waiting for loads, inspections and securing cargo. Werner settled the day before trial without admitting wrongdoing.

Why it matters to truckers

If someone moved after leaving the company, the check may go to an old address. Updating that address is the practical step. The case also goes to a long-running pay question: whether time spent waiting, inspecting or sitting in the sleeper should be paid, not only the miles on the bill. For a look at how Werner has talked about recruiting costs in a later quarter, see this earlier report on Werner's third-quarter recruiting spending.

Quick facts

Settlement amount: $18 million, with final approval on July 24.
About 100,000 current and former truck drivers.
Covered work: at least one load for Werner between June 4, 2010, and July 14, 2023.
No claim form. Checks go to the address on file.
Not included: student truck drivers and leased owner-operators.
Base payment: $20 or $40, plus a share based on weeks worked.
Werner settled the day before trial without admitting wrongdoing.