Wal-Mart to pay up to USD54 million in wage suit

Wal-Mart said it will pay up to USD54.25 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that accused the US retailer of failing to grant workers their full rest breaks and requiring hourly employees to work-off-the-clock in Minnesota. In a joint statement made from Wal-Mart and the plaintiffs' attorneys, it was stated that the settlement includes roughly 100,000 current and former hourly employees who worked at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores in Minnesota from 1998 through to 2008. As part of the settlement the retailer agreed to maintain electronic systems, surveys and notices to comply with wage, hour policies and Minnesota laws. Minnesota District Court Judge Robert King Jr ruled that Wal-Mart owed USD6.5 million to thousands of current and former employees because of wage violations. It also faced a fine of USD1,000 for each violation of the Minnesota wage and hour rules. With more than two million violations cited by the judge, the retailer is facing more than USD2 billion in fines. The settlement also includes a substantial payment to the state of Minnesota.

www.planetretail.net