Minneapolis, Minn., and Bentonville, Ark., Dec. 9, 2008 -- Counsel for Plaintiffs and counsel for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) jointly announce that they have reached a settlement of a wage and hour class action against Walmart in Minnesota captioned Braun et al. v. Walmart, Inc. et al.
The class includes approximately 100,000 current and former hourly associates who worked at Walmart Stores and Sam’s Clubs locations in Minnesota from September 11, 1998 through November 14, 2008, and the settlement provides for payment by Walmart of up to $54.25 million, including a substantial payment to the State of Minnesota. Also, as part of the settlement, Walmart has 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, and the exact amount paid to class members will depend on the court’s approval as well as on the number and amount of claims that are submitted by class members.
All parties believe this settlement is fair and reasonable for all concerned. “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,” said Justin Perl, of the Minneapolis law firm of Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, co-lead counsel for the class. Walmart spokesperson David Tovar added, “Walmart is pleased that the court in Minnesota ruled in its favor on many claims. 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. We remain committed to providing good jobs with real career opportunity to the 1.45 million U.S. associates who choose to work for Walmart and serve our customers every day.”
A hearing for preliminary approval of the settlement has been scheduled for January 14, 2009.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Walmart operates Walmart discount stores, supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam’s Club locations in the United States. The Company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom and, through a joint venture, in India. The Company's securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WMT. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.
Contact for Plaintiffs:
Justin H. Perl, Esq.
Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP
612-672-8372
Justin.Perl@Maslon.com
Joshua Schneck
Snow Communications
612-337-0748
jschneck@cybersnow.com
William R. Sieben, Esq.
Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A.
612-344-0305
bsieben@schwebel.com
Contact for Walmart:
Greg Rossiter, Walmart Media Relations, 1-800-331-0085