Los Angeles Times and Tribune Publishing Agree to Settle Pay-disparity Lawsuit

The Los Angeles Times and Tribune Publishing have agreed to pay $3 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit brought by a multiethnic group of journalists who alleged that they were paid less than their white male counterparts. The lawsuit alleged gender, race and ethnic discrimination and that the Times violated California’s Equal Pay Act and California’s Business and Professions Code. In October 2020, Judge David Cohn gave preliminary approval to the proposed settlement and certified a class of nearly 240 current and former reporters and editors who would be eligible for back pay. Under the settlement, all Black and Latino reporters, copy editors and line editors employed by the Times from Feb. 14, 2015 to Oct. 26, 2020, could receive a portion of the award. All women who worked as reporters or editors during that period would also be covered. Cohn is expected to give final approval to the settlement at a March hearing. Tribune Publishing owned the Times until June 2018, when it was sold to Patrick and Michele Soon-shiong. Both publishing companies and their insurance carriers would pay the settlement.