Daily Kos: Walmart ordered to pay $188 million in Pennsylvania wage theft lawsuit

[Omaha Steve]

How did I miss this when it came out?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/12/16/1352314/-Walmart-ordered-to-pay-188-million-in-Pennsylvania-wage-theft-lawsuit

TUE DEC 16, 2014 AT 02:24 PM PST

by Laura Clawson forDaily Kos Labor



Walmart's labor practices are not doing so well in court lately. Last week, a National Labor Relations Board judge ruled that Walmart illegally intimidated workers. This week, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld a lower court verdict and ordered Walmart to pay $188 million to workers who sued because, they said, Walmart wasn't paying them for the full hours they worked and wasn't paying for rest breaks.

About 187,000 people who worked in Pennsylvania Walmarts between 1998 and 2006 would be affected, but—surprise!—Walmart is considering an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan said the company did not believe the claims should be grouped together in a class-action suit. "Walmart has had strong policies in place to make sure all associates receive their appropriate pay and break periods," she said.

Sure is funny how despite all those strong policies, this sort of lawsuit keeps happening to poor, poor Walmart. And now the company's quarterly earnings are taking a hit because of this decision, and the Walton family may have somewhat fewer dollars to add to their billions.


attribution: ChangeWalmart.tumblr.com