NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Walmart Associates and Allies Applaud California Plaintiffs in Dukes V. Wal-Mart as They Continue to Fight for Justice for Women Workers

The amended action filed today seeks an end to Walmart's alleged discriminatory practices regarding pay and promotion of female employees in its California regions and relief and punitive damages for the Plaintiffs in the class.

"Seeing the women in this case continue to fight for fairness is commendable and I am pleased to know that they are not giving up," said Maggie Van Ness, a Walmart associate from Lancaster, California and a member of OUR Walmart. "Walmart is the largest private employer in the U.S. and is too large to go unchallenged."

"These women have legitimate cases challenging Walmart's discriminatory practices and the company needs to be held accountable for its unfair treatment of women," said National Organization for Women President Terry O'Neill. "We support the women of Walmart and will continue to stand by their efforts to fight until justice is served."

Last month, members of OUR Walmart joined national women's advocacy organizations who have joined in an allied campaign-Making Change at Walmart-to call on Walmart to adopt policy recommendations to improve working conditions for women employed by Walmart. Together, these women's groups have sent an open letter to CEO Mike Duke that calls on the company to meet with OUR Walmart representatives and their allies to discuss their concerns.

"There are many avenues to justice for women at Walmart," said Jennifer Stapleton, Assistance Director of Making Change at Walmart. "One is legal and we are glad to stand with the Dukes plaintiffs as they continue that case. Another option is for workers and communities to stand together and demand change from the company. That's the option we are pursuing."

For information visit http://makingchangeatwalmart.org/2011/10/05/national-womens-groups/.

UFCW
Janna Pea, 202-412-5362
jpea@ufcw.org