Wal-Mart to Pay $54 Million in Wage Settlement

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores here has agreed to pay up to $54.25 million to settle a class-action wage-and-hour lawsuit in Minneapolis, the retailer and prosecutors announced in a joint statement Tuesday.

The class includes approximately 100,000 current and former hourly associates who worked at Wal-Mart Stores and Sam’s Clubs locations in Minnesota from Sept. 11, 1998, through Nov. 14, 2008. Wal-Mart also agreed to maintain various electronic systems, surveys, and notices that will further compliance with wage and hour policies and Minnesota laws. The settlement is subject to approval by the trial court.

“We are satisfied with this settlement, gratified that these hourly workers will now be paid after seven years of litigation, and happy that the state of Minnesota will receive the largest wage-and-hour civil penalty in its history,” Justin Perl, of the Minneapolis law firm of Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, co-lead counsel for the class, said in a statement.

“Wal-Mart is pleased that the court in Minnesota ruled in its favor on many claims,” said Wal-Mart spokesman David Tovar. “Our policies are to pay every associate for every hour worked and to make rest and meal breaks available for associates. Any manager who violates these policies is subject to discipline, up to and including termination.”

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