Wal-Mart to settle 63 labor suits

[Texas53]

BENTONVILLE, ARK. — Wal-Mart Stores, the world’s largest retailer, said Tuesday it will pay between $352 million and $640 million to settle 63 wage and hour abuse lawsuits against the company.

The discount retailer, which has more than 1.4 million employees, said the total amount to be paid depends on the number of claims submitted by those who are eligible. Each settlement must be approved by a trial court.

Wal-Mart, one of the few retailers doing well so far in a dismal holiday season, said it would take an after-tax charge to continuing operations of about $250 million, or approximately 6 cents per share, in its fiscal fourth quarter.

The company said many of the lawsuits were filed years ago and the allegations are not representative of the company it is today.

“Our policy is to pay associates for every hour worked and to provide rest and meal breaks,” Tom Mars, Wal-Mart’s executive vice president and general counsel, said in a statement.

As part of the settlement, Wal-Mart agrees to continue to use various electronic systems and other measures to ensure compliance with wage and hour policies and law.

Critics said Wal-Mart, which has Republican ties, is settling the cases before the new Democratic presidential administration takes over.

Last year, Wal-Mart said it would pay more than $33 million in back wages to thousands of employees after turning itself in to the Labor Department for paying too little in overtime over the past five years.

A judge in Pennsylvania also ruled last year that Wal-Mart workers in that state who previously won a $78.5 million class-action award for working off the clock will share an additional $62.3 million in damages.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/6179926.html


Geez, I wonder why they want the cases settled and closed before the new administration comes in.....:waitasec: JMHO

[Roamer]

Seems like WalMart is always in trouble for something these days.

[annalyzer]

Geez, I wonder why they want the cases settled and closed before the new administration comes in.....:waitasec: JMHO

Critics are saying it. Doesn't mean it's true. :shrug1:

[Alibar]

Critics are saying it. Doesn't mean it's true. :shrug1:

Amen to that!

[texanne]

There have been rumblings from employees (and ex-employees) for years about unpaid hours, no lunch breaks, etc. Just because you are the biggest and richest, does not mean it is right to treat your fellow human beings like that. If Obama scared them into settling...Good.

[Alibar]

There have been rumblings from employees (and ex-employees) for years about unpaid hours, no lunch breaks, etc. Just because you are the biggest and richest, does not mean it is right to treat your fellow human beings like that. If Obama scared them into settling...Good.

I guess if it's only a rumor and Omama didn't SCARE them, it's still good since Walmart Corp is Republican.

:67302:

[foxfarmboxers]

I boycotted Walmart about 6 months ago~! Refuse to step foot in one~!

[Texas53]

I guess if it's only a rumor and Omama didn't SCARE them, it's still good since Walmart Corp is Republican.

:67302:

Well your statement says it all. Republicans have a history of not caring for the American worker. Its only helped corporations screw many employees out of pay and benefits and certainly protected executives to maintain their high dollar lifestyles since they have sent most jobs to foreign countries and have lower overhead. I guess thats why it costs to keep so much "talent" leading these companies, of which most have driven their companies in the ditch lately. JMHO, IMO

I don't think that is something to be proud of. JMHO

[Mrs Robinson]

Why would the author of this article find it necessary to include the comment about Republican ties, didn't Michelle Obama also have ties to Walmart? :0009:

[texanne]

I felt sorry for the Walmart workers yesterday. My mother was out of a certain over the counter medication that I knew Walmart sells, so I dashed over there a few minutes after five. It was a nightmare. While I was there, I decided to go ahead and pick up a few things in spite of the crowd. They started making the announcements by 5:20 for shoppers to finish their shopping and check out (I was already in a looooong line). People were ignoring them. They were guarding the door to block new shoppers from entering, but people were just bullying their way past. It was awful. All those employees wanted to do was to go home and enjoy their Christmas like everyone else. I felt guilty for being there.

[Texas53]

I felt sorry for the Walmart workers yesterday. My mother was out of a certain over the counter medication that I knew Walmart sells, so I dashed over there a few minutes after five. It was a nightmare. While I was there, I decided to go ahead and pick up a few things in spite of the crowd. They started making the announcements by 5:20 for shoppers to finish their shopping and check out (I was already in a looooong line). People were ignoring them. They were guarding the door to block new shoppers from entering, but people were just bullying their way past. It was awful. All those employees wanted to do was to go home and enjoy their Christmas like everyone else. I felt guilty for being there.


I went to one here in San Antonio Monday, and I asked the clerk if they were working them long hours and she said yes. As of Monday, she hadn't even started her own Christmas shopping.

What you do is lock the front doors (Incoming only) soon enough after announcement and then let people only go out. In fact, most stores do that now days. You still want to be within safety guidelines, in case there is a fire

But then again, Walmart has such great security (as shown previously) the crowd overtakes the store employees and someone has to get severely hurt or sadly, killed. JMHO

I try as little as possible to ever go there. But since I'm recuperating from surgery and can't move as fast as usual, I had to go to a store that was closest to home.

[texanne]

I hope your recovery goes well. I wonder how many people rushed right back out into the shopping madness today (crazy). I just got the older grandsons off on a 5 day scout campout, so I am staying put and enjoying the quiet. I still have two next door, but they are the quiet ones who only come for special snacks. Walmart did have one set of doors for out only, but I saw men push right past the guards. I just do not have the energy to fight Walmart crowds, and they never have all the registers staffed.

[janicelee]

Well since I don't know anybody else's financial circumstances I won't pass judgment but personally I can't afford to shop at Wal-Mart, those cheap prices are too darn expenses for someone who works for a living. I gotta pay for the health care for all those Wal-Mart employees who get sick and don't have any medical care of their own, I gotta pay for all the small business people who are forced out of business whenever Wal-Mart opens a new story and sells items below cost to drive local businesses under. I've got to pay for all the factory workers who lost jobs because Wal-Mart forced companies to move factories overseas where they can pay slave wages, so that we can have cheaper electronics that we don't actually need. Sorry I'm not a millionaire I can't afford the cost of what Wal-Mart, costs America.

[texanne]

You see the big picture, most people refuse to.

[Bernie]

I boycotted Walmart about 6 months ago~! Refuse to step foot in one~!

Same here years ago after a friend worked there and I learned they only care about $$$

[texanne]

We are all smart enough to know that someone goes into business to make money. There is nothing wrong with that....as a matter of fact it is a good thing, and it is what helps keep our economy healthy. That being said, it would be nice if more people did not lose their moral compass in their quest for riches.

[Bernie]

We are all smart enough to know that someone goes into business to make money. There is nothing wrong with that....as a matter of fact it is a good thing, and it is what helps keep our economy healthy. That being said, it would be nice if more people did not lose their moral compass in their quest for riches.

Here they built the super store with food and all....and all grocery stores closed along with other small businesses.......I understand the bottom line is profit but they lower prices to chase out all others then raise prices back up....they hurt our local economy...

[texanne]

I do the bulk of my grocery shopping at a local store. It is closer, so I use less fuel to get there. They are very helpful, and will order special things if you request them. The butchers will go in the back and bring you the cut of roast, steak, etc. that you want if you are not pleased with the ones on display. The owners not only sponsor kids sports teams, school events, etc...they also volunteer as coaches, etc. They buy fresh vegetables from local farmers. The floral shop will design something according to your instructions. There are so many reasons to shop with them....and I do not see any real difference in price from Walmart. Of course, they do not sell electronics, tires, etc. (Another locally owned company does that).