Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Women 'n Wal-Mart: Court Says, Class Action OK

Wal-Mart--the superstore with the lowest prices on earth, where everybody (yes, everybody) has shopped at least once and wondered how in the world these items could be SO CHEAP--has just gotten a kick in the pants from the legal system. On Feb 6th, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the District Court's certification of the largest class in American history, which has now grown to include 2 million women workers at Wal-Mart.

What's all the fuss about? Well, the suit claims that Wal-Mart discriminates against women in pay and promotions. If the plaintiffs win, Wal-Mart might actually be forced to pay and promote its female workers at a rate similar to that at which it pays and promotes its male workers. (Genius.) But be prepared for Wal-Mart to fight back--months, if not years, of appeals are ahead.


You can read the official press advisory for a sound-bite version or you can take a little more time and read the full decision. Either way, it begins to get a lot clearer just how Wal-Mart is able to sell so much for so little. Like somebody's mama once said: ain't no such thing as a free ride, my friend.

No comments: