Summer 2011 Issue
June 29, 2011

Supreme Court's Walmart decision — 'Free pass on sexism'

Source: NYSUT United

The U.S. Supreme Court's dismissal of the largest class action lawsuit in history was a serious blow to working people, women's rights and equity.

In June, the Court threw out a suit filed by 1.5 million female employees of Walmart who claimed they were paid less and promoted less frequently than males. The Court found the women did not have enough in common to constitute a "class" in a classaction lawsuit.

AFT President Randi Weingarten blasted the Supreme Court's decision. She said it "sends a chilling message that Goliath still has the power to beat the Davids of the world." She vowed the AFT will continue to support the "Women of Walmart."

Laura Flanders, writing for guardian.com in Britain, says the decision may define Walmart as "too big to sue." Go to blogs.nysut.org for her commentary.