Former Montana Power Workers Settle Lawsuit

A class-action lawsuit between former workers at Montana Power Co. and the defunct utility has been settled for $1.2 million.

The Montana Standard reported that last week Montana Power through a liability insurer agreed to pay the money to 141 former employees who sued over unpaid workers’ claims.

Judge Kurt Krueger approved the agreement.

In February 2012 a Butte District Court jury ruled in favor of Montana Power, but a judge threw out the verdict three months later citing jury misconduct and ordered a new trial.

Montana Power appealed the decision to the Montana Supreme Court.

But the two sides continued mediation and reached an agreement.

Attorney Lon Dale, representing the employees in the lawsuit that started in 1998, says some of his clients are in their 80s and wanted the case to end.