Wal-Mart sex-bias case hits possible court block

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By MARK SHERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court appears ready to block a massive sex discrimination lawsuit against Wal-Mart on behalf of up to 1.6 million women, and that could make it harder for other workers nationwide to bring class-action claims against large employers.

The 10-year-old lawsuit, argued in lively exchanges at the court Tuesday, claims that Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest employer, favors men over women in pay and promotions. Billions of dollars are at stake if it is allowed to go forward.

The case also could affect the future of other class-action lawsuits that pool modest individual claims into a single action that creates the potential for a large judgment and increases the pressure on businesses to settle.

In Tuesday's arguments, several justices suggested they were troubled by the case and lower court decisions against Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart. Estimates of how many women could be included in the lawsuit run from 500,000 to 1.6 million.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPREME_COURT_WAL_MART_DISCRIMINATION?SITE=NCAGW&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[villager]

1. This will keep happening while people operate under the delusion that the system can reform itself

The system's job is to keep itself going. It could give, really, less of a shit about you.

As its apparatchiks on the court benches, in the legislative halls, and in the "two" parties, repeatedly make clear...

[The Magistrate]

2. Let Us Hope, Sir, This Is Just The AP Shilling

There is no legal reason to rule in favor of Wal-Mart....

[Angry Dragon]

3. Hasn't stopped the court before ......... just saying

[The Magistrate]

9. Unfortunately True, Sir

[sulphurdunn]

4. I wonder how much money

the Vatican has invested in the Beast of Bentonville?

[bluesmail]

5. Ten years is a big chunk out of everybody's life. WoW The waiting is

the hardest part, go girls go. This truly is a Solidarity moment. :thumbsup: Wishing all of you a righteous ruling.

[glinda]

10. I have waited nearly five for the petfood lawsuit. Hope this doesn't affect us.

[bluesmail]

12. Here's to a righteous ruling for your cause also. eom

[sarcasmo]

6. Was going to post this so I will just add another link from the Detroit News.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPREME_COURT_WAL_MART_DISCRIMINATION?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


Who owns the country? Corporations own the country.

[jillan]

7. So corporations have more power than women? bangs head.nt

[glinda]

11. Supremes are trending to use cases to oppress the people of this Country. THey are using

this to break Class Actions. I am sick to my stomach over this.

[Ian David]

8. Too Big to Sue? n/t