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Meathead Movers to pay millions to settle discrimination lawsuit

October 3, 2025

By KAREN VELIE

San Luis Obispo-based Meathead Movers agreed to pay up to $6 million to settle a federal lawsuit over its alleged recruitment of young workers at the exclusion of older workers, a violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

Aaron Steed co-founded Meathead Movers with his brother Evan Steed in 1997. Aaron Steed has argued against the allegations, saying that Meathead Movers has employed individuals over 40 since its early days. He pointed to a football coach who worked for them even when most of the team were teenagers.

“Can you do the job or not?” has always been their primary focus, Aaron Steed said.

The settlement agreement, which resolves the disputes between the two parties without an admission of guilt or liability, was filed Monday in the U.S. District Court Central District of California. Meathead Movers agreed to pay up to $6 million dollars, which includes $4 million for a fund to be used over four years to hire workers and $2 million to pay monetary relief to eligible claimants.

The settlement also requires Meathead Movers to select a monitor to ensure Meathead Movers’ compliance with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the settlement agreement.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2023 filed a class action suit against the popular moving company for intentionally recruiting and hiring young college students while “excluding older workers regardless of their individual abilities.” Since at least 2017, “Meathead Movers failed to recruit and hire applicants over 40 into moving, packing and customer service positions.”

“Excluding older workers based on their age for marketing purposes is unlawful,” said Anna Park, regional attorney for the Los Angeles District Office. “Employers should remember that setting criteria and recruiting based on a person’s age violates federal law.”

With six offices in California, Meathead Movers currently employs more than 350 people, making it the largest independent moving company in the state.

 


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So the lesson is hire illegals, pay $13 an hour cash on Fridays so they qualify for welfare and big brother will leave you alone.


7

Is that the way it works?


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I remember how pissed off I was in my mid-50s when I couldn’t get jobs that would require physical labor. I had experience in freight and warehouse work and could outwork anyone in their 20s. Employers don’t even want to talk to you – don’t even want to take your applications. BUT, unless it’s a high-profile or there’s a track record, you have no way of proving it. You can file a complaint if you want, but you still would have to find a lawyer that thinks you have a shot. And then we have our people on the Right side of the political spectrum who love to whine about people not working and pulling their weight. This is just age. Imagine what it’s like being Black or Hispanic and trying to get certain jobs. No one has to explain anything to you. You just don’t get an interview, or get a call back. Women and young people too. Not everyone can be a white male in the prime of his working life.


-21

Whew, you’ve got quite the talent for grievance mongering.

You should have applied to Miner’s Ace Hardware – everyone there is over 65, lol. Or go and be a greeter at Walmart if that falls through. I heard that they are now hiring black, trans, disabled women over 65 (must check all the boxes).


-2

Blatantly advertising “student athlete movers” was clearly a mistake lol. What constitutes a student? Is there an age limit? Plenty of adult students over 30… can they get hired? What about athlete? Define that. Is there a mile marker one needs to hit? What weight for benchpress is the minimum? Etc etc etc. There are plenty of things a non student non athlete can contribute to a moving company. Light items for one. Logistics including driving. Payroll, managent, janitorial, etc etc. If they really were excluding people that applied without legitimate reason, they deserve to be fined.


-23

If you’re not a student or an athlete why even bother trying to get a job at a place that includes that in their company slogan? Why would a company that has assets at risk bother with anyone who obviously wouldn’t be a productive employee? But more importantly – why would the person denied employment spend a lot of time and effort going after said company in court instead of just finding another job…

Oh, wait…if potential millions could be had, this might be the easier route for a lazy person. And here’s the kicker – this person doesn’t’ give a shit about equal rights, ageism, etc. Just out for themselves. Yup, must be a demoncrat.


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