Landmark Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Walmart Spark Program: Allegations of Unpaid Wages and Misclassification
August 31, 2025 – Little Rock, AR – A significant class action lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, naming Walmart Spark et al. as defendants. The case, docketed as Akins v. Walmart Spark et al. (Case No. 4:25-cv-00570), was published on the official government repository, GovInfo, today. This legal action centers on serious allegations concerning the treatment of individuals participating in Walmart’s Spark Driver program.
The lawsuit, brought forth by lead plaintiff [Plaintiff’s Name, if available from the linked document, otherwise state ‘a named plaintiff’], asserts that Walmart Spark, the company’s platform for facilitating grocery delivery and pickup services, has engaged in practices that violate labor laws. Specifically, the core of the complaint revolves around claims of misclassification of drivers and the alleged failure to provide adequate compensation for their work.
At the heart of the dispute is the contention that Spark drivers, who are crucial to Walmart’s modern retail strategy, are being treated as independent contractors when, according to the plaintiffs, their working conditions and the level of control exerted by Walmart suggest they should be classified as employees. This misclassification, the lawsuit argues, has resulted in drivers not receiving benefits and protections typically afforded to employees, such as minimum wage, overtime pay, and reimbursement for necessary expenses.
The complaint further details allegations that drivers are not being compensated fairly for the time spent waiting for orders, traveling to and from pickup and delivery locations, and performing other tasks essential to fulfilling customer orders. This alleged unpaid work, it is argued, drives down the effective hourly wage to below minimum wage standards in many instances.
The Spark Driver program, which leverages a network of independent contractors to fulfill online orders from Walmart stores, has become an integral part of the company’s logistics. However, this lawsuit shines a spotlight on the potential downsides for the individuals who power these services. The plaintiffs are seeking to represent a broad class of similarly situated Spark drivers who they believe have been similarly affected by these alleged practices.
The filing of this class action lawsuit signifies a critical moment for the gig economy and the large retailers who increasingly rely on such models. The outcome of Akins v. Walmart Spark et al. could have far-reaching implications for how delivery platforms operate and how their drivers are compensated and classified across the country.
Walmart has yet to formally respond to the allegations in the public court record. The legal process is expected to unfold in the coming months and years, with potential for extensive discovery and legal arguments regarding the classification of workers and compliance with labor regulations.
This publication on GovInfo underscores the transparency of the legal system and provides an avenue for the public to stay informed about significant legal proceedings that may impact both businesses and workers within the rapidly evolving landscape of e-commerce and delivery services.
25-570 – Akins v. Walmart Spark et al
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