News In Brief 3 January 2006

Walmart To Appeal $172M California Fine

Workers Will Have To Continue To Go Without Meals While Case Stays In Courts

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, announced today that they will appeal last month's verdict, leveling them with a $172-Million fine for not providing, and/or compensating, its' workers with meal breaks.

Wal-Mart, and Sam's Club stores, in California lost the class action lawsuit brought on by Jessica Grant of the Furth Firm of San Francisco. The suit charged that the chain violated state law more than eight million times from Jan. 1, 2001, to May 6, 2005, and impacted more than 116,000 hourly workers.

Last month, a Alameda County Superior Court jury found for the plaintiffs and awarded a judgment of $172-Million.

Wal-Martis facing similar cases in about 40 other states.

In appealing the verdict, Wal-Mart, and Sam's Club, workers will have to continue to go without meal breaks, or be compensated for them, while the case remains in the court system.

In a statement released, Wal-Mart indicated that they would "try to accommodate" the workers, however, they "expected full compliance with the judicial system" and "have every expectation that workers will continue to work their assigned shifts".

The company stated that they may allow "water and a small snack" at a workers' station "provided it doesn't interfere with completing the work or servicing Wal-Mart customers".