Lawsuit centers on allegations that Wal-Mart pays women less than men for the same jobs and that female employees receive fewer promotions and have to wait longer for those promotions than male counterparts.
Ottawa (30 Apr. 2010) -- Earlier this week a sharply divided federal appeals court exposed Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to billions of dollars in legal damages when it ruled a massive class action lawsuit alleging gender discrimination over pay for female workers can go to trial.
The lawsuit centers on allegations that Wal-Mart pays women less than men for the same jobs and that female employees receive fewer promotions and have to wait longer for those promotions than male counterparts.
Wal-Mart has fiercely fought the lawsuit since it was first filed in 2001. The retailer's top lawyer has said the company is considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Unions and other critics have long complained that Wal-Mart's workplace practices needed improvement, especially in the areas of diversity and career advancement.
Analysts said the ruling was a setback to Wal-Mart's campaign to improve its image with shoppers.
The ruling was a "big black eye for Wal-Mart, and it's not going to heal anytime in the near future," said retail consultant Burt P. Flickinger.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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