If you received notice, you may be eligible to receive money from the Settlement of a class action lawsuit (“Action”) against Long Beach Community College District (“District”) for alleged minimum wage violations. The Action was filed by District part-time faculty members Karen Roberts and Seija Rohkea (“Plaintiffs”) and seeks payment of back wages, liquidated damages, and interest for a class of part-time hourly instructional faculty members (“Class Members”) who worked for District during the Class Period (April 5, 2019, through August 25, 2025).
If you are a Class Member, based on District’s records, and the Parties’ current assumptions, your Individual Class Payment is reflected in the Notice mailed to you on August 7, 2026. The actual amount you may receive may be different and will depend on a number of factors. The estimates are based on the District’s records showing that you were assigned to teach a certain amount of Weekly Credit Hours during particular terms during the Class Period. If you believe that you were assigned to teach more Weekly Credit Hours during this period, you can submit a challenge by the deadline date (see Question 4).
The Court has already preliminarily approved the proposed Settlement and approved the Notice. The Court has not yet decided whether to grant final approval. Your legal rights are affected whether you act or not act. Read the Notice carefully. You will be deemed to have carefully read and understood it. At the Final Approval Hearing, the Court will decide whether to finally approve the Settlement and how much of the Settlement will be paid to Plaintiffs and Plaintiffs’ attorneys (“Class Counsel”). The Court will also decide whether to enter a judgment that requires District to make payments under the Settlement and requires Class Members to give up their rights to assert certain claims against District.
If you worked for District during the Class Period, you have two basic options under the Settlement:
Do Nothing and Receive a Settlement Payment. You don’t have to do anything to participate in the proposed Settlement and be eligible for an Individual Class Payment. However, as a Participating Class Member, you will give up your right to assert Class Period wage claims against District.
Opt Out of the Class Settlement. You can exclude yourself from the Class Settlement (opt out) by submitting the written Request for Exclusion or otherwise notifying the Administrator in writing. If you opt out of the Settlement, you will not receive an Individual Class Payment. However, you will preserve your right to personally pursue Class Period wage claims against District.
The District will not retaliate against you for any actions you take with respect to the proposed Settlement.
Summary of Your Legal Rights and Options in this Settlement | |
You Don’t Have to Do Anything If You Want to Participate in the Settlement | If you do nothing, you will be a Participating Class Member, eligible for an Individual Class Payment. In exchange, you will give up your right to assert the wage claims against District that are covered by this Settlement (Released Claims). |
You Can Opt Out of the Class Settlement The Opt Out Deadline is December 3, 2026 | If you don’t want to fully participate in the proposed Settlement, you can opt out of the Class Settlement by sending the Administrator a written Request for Exclusion. Once you opt out, you will be a Non-Participating Class Member and you will no longer be eligible for an Individual Class Payment. Non-Participating Class Members cannot object to any portion of the proposed Settlement. See Question 6 |
Participating Class Members Can Object to the Class Settlement Written Objections Must be Submitted by December 3, 2026 | All Class Members who do not opt out of the Settlement (“Participating Class Members”) can object to any aspect of the proposed Settlement. The Court’s decision whether to finally approve the Settlement will include a determination of how much will be paid to Class Counsel and Plaintiffs who pursued the Action on behalf of the Class. You are not personally responsible for any payments to Class Counsel or Plaintiffs, but every dollar paid to Class Counsel and Plaintiffs reduces the overall amount paid to Participating Class Members. You can object to the amounts requested by Class Counsel or Plaintiffs if you think they are unreasonable. See Question 7. |
You Can Participate in the February 9, 2027 Final Approval Hearing | The Court’s Final Approval Hearing is scheduled to take place on February 9, 2027. You don’t have to attend but you do have the right to appear (or hire an attorney to appear on your behalf at your own cost), in person, by telephone or by using the Court’s virtual appearance platform. Participating Class Members can orally object to the Settlement at the Final Approval Hearing. See Question 8. |
You Can Challenge the Calculation of Your Weekly Credit Hours Written Challenges Must be Submitted by December 3, 2026 | The amount of your Individual Class Payment depends on the number and dates of Weekly Credit Hours that you were assigned to teach during the Class Period. The number of Weekly Credit Hours you were assigned to teach during the Class Period, according to District’s records, is stated on the first page of the Notice. If you disagree with this number, you must challenge it by December 3, 2026. See Question 4. |
Upcoming Important Dates
Opt Out Deadline
12/3/2026
Dispute Deadline
12/3/2026
Objection Deadline
12/3/2026
Final Approval Hearing
2/9/2027 at 10:00 a.m.