Graphic Packaging International has agreed to pay more than $997,000 as part of a Class Action federal lawsuit to resolve claims it violated Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act at its Centralia Plant.
The settlement proposes a cash settlement estimated of around $1,000 to employees and visitors to the plant who used a Hand Punch 4000 terminal between June 29th, 2016 and September 1st, 2021 provided their last known address can be determined.
The lawsuit claimed the company violated the act by using the hand-scan time clock terminals without written consent and failure to implement and adhere to a written policy for the destruction of such data.
Graphic Packaging admitted no wrongdoing in entering into the agreement. An April 22nd deadline has been set for exclusion or objection. A final approval hearing for the settlement is set in US District Court for Southern Illinois on June 11th.
No claim form is required to benefit from the settlement, but those in the class can provide an updated address to the settlement’s website at https://www.gpibipasettlement.com/
Any funds left over from the initial distribution may be used in a second distribution to each class member who cashed their first check.
Graphics Packaging International manufactures packaging for the food industry and has more than 130 facilities around the world.
