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The
American Supreme Court has ruled against a “class action lawsuit”
in the Wal-Mart discrimination case. Six women had filed a complaint
against their employer, complaining that they had less chances of
promotion and a lower salary, only because they are women.
No class action lawsuit
The
Supreme Court did not acquit Wal-Mart of discrimination, but it
decided that it is impossible to judge the working conditions of 1.6
million female employees in once case. It reversed the San Francisco
Court of Appeals’ decision, saying the plaintiffs have not proven
that all these women underwent the same discrimination – which is
their legal obligation in order to be able to start a class action
lawsuit.
No 11 billion dollar fine
Had
the Supreme Court ruled the class action lawsuit valid, the complaint
would have applied to 1.6 million women – with the possibility of
costing Wal-Mart 11 billion dollars (7.6 billion euro) in case of
conviction. As the Supreme Court did not clear the discrimination
charges, the case will continue about these six women only. It goes
without saying that now the scope has been reduced from 1.6 million
to six women, the pressure on Wal-Mart and the height of the possible
fines (as well as the media attention in the US) will be
significantly smaller.
The
National Women’s Law Center was very disappointed with the verdict,
stating that “the Court has told employers that they can rest easy,
knowing that the bigger and more powerful they are, the less likely
their employees will be able to join together to secure their
rights.”
