A PYMNTS Company

Nuclear Power Companies Win Early Dismissal of Worker Wage-Fixing Suit

By  |  August 6, 2026
Nuclear Power Companies Win Early Dismissal of Worker Wage-Fixing Suit

Constellation Energy Corp., Duke Energy Corp., Dominion Energy Inc. and other U.S. nuclear power operators have secured an early victory in a proposed antitrust class action after a federal judge ruled that the workers’ claims, as currently pleaded, were filed too late.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson of the District of Maryland dismissed the lawsuit without prejudice, concluding that the complaint was untimely based on the allegations presented, according to Bloomberg Law. The judge gave the plaintiffs 45 days to seek permission to file an amended complaint that could address the timing issues identified by the court.

    The case stems from a proposed class action filed in July 2025 by two former nuclear industry employees who alleged that the nation’s commercial nuclear power plant operators conspired for years to suppress employee compensation through the exchange of wage and salary information. According to Reuters, the complaint named 26 nuclear plant operators—including Constellation, Duke, Dominion, Entergy Corp. and Pacific Gas & Electric Co.—as well as two consulting firms that allegedly facilitated compensation data sharing.

    The workers alleged the companies violated Section 1 of the Sherman Act by coordinating compensation practices, claiming the information exchanges enabled employers to keep wages below competitive levels for nuclear plant employees nationwide, according to the complaint summarized by Reuters and Bloomberg Law.

    Related: NextEra Energy Agrees to $9.5 Million Settlement in Nuclear Industry Wage-Fixing Case

    Bloomberg Law reported that Abelson did not reach the merits of the alleged wage-fixing conspiracy. Instead, the court found that, based on the complaint as filed, the claims fell outside the applicable limitations period. The dismissal was issued without prejudice, allowing plaintiffs an opportunity to attempt to revive the case through an amended pleading.

    When the lawsuit was filed in July 2025, Duke Energy denied wrongdoing, saying its compensation practices are competitive, market-based and tied to employee performance, according to Reuters. Other defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment at that time.

    The litigation is part of a broader wave of antitrust lawsuits challenging alleged wage suppression and labor market coordination across industries, including healthcare, shipbuilding and other sectors, Reuters previously reported.

    Source: Bloomberg