Attorney General Ellison reaches $142K settlement with Conagra over employment statements

Conagra to provide compliant employment statements, pay restitution to workers for past non-compliance

November 21, 2024 (SAINT PAUL) —  Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today that his office has obtained a settlement with Conagra Brands, Inc. over its failure to provide seasonal workers at its Waseca fruit and vegetable processing facility with key information prior to the start of employment and their failure to retain records as required by law.

Under the terms of the Assurance of Discontinuance filed in Ramsey County, Conagra Brands agrees to provide seasonal employees with employment statements that comply with Minnesota Statutes section 181.86. Conagra Brands also will pay $142,000 in restitution to workers for its past non-compliance with the law, which the Attorney General will distribute to workers.

Under Minnesota Statutes section 181.86, employers must provide an employment statement to employees who “travel more than 100 miles to Minnesota from some other state to perform seasonal agricultural labor in Minnesota.” The statement must include information such as the type of work, the date employment actually begins, when the employee should arrive at the worksite, how much money the employee will earn, and whether housing is provided.  Importantly, this information must be provided to workers at the time of recruitment, so that employees know details about the work they will be performing prior to traveling from out of state to work.

“Under Minnesota law, workers must be told how much they will be paid, what work they will be doing, and whether housing is provided before they agree to travel hundreds of miles to take a job in Minnesota,” Attorney General Ellison said. “I am pleased that Conagra Brands changed its practices and that my Office was able to secure restitution for employees.”

Filing a complaint as a worker

Workers with concerns or complaints about systematic violations of state and federal wage laws can contact the Attorney General’s Office through its online complaint form (available in Spanish or English). Minnesotans can also contact the Office by calling (651) 296-3353 (Metro area) or (800) 657-3787 (Greater Minnesota).