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Dukes v. Wal-Mart Plaintiffs Vow to Fight for Justice

Supreme Court Ruling Does Not Decide Merits of Class Action Sex Discrimination Case

The plaintiffs are disappointed by the sharply divided decision issued by the U.S. Supreme Court today reversing class certification in Dukes v. Wal-Mart. The Court's ruling erects substantially higher barriers for working women and men to vindicate rights to be free from employment discrimination. The ruling does not, however, address whether Wal-Mart committed sex discrimination against its women employees. Rather, it addresses how women suing Wal-Mart must press ahead with their claims. Nothing the Supreme Court has ruled affects the power of the evidence of sex discrimination at Wal-Mart. That evidence is as strong today as it was when it was collected.

The ruling still allows women whose claims go back to Dec. 26, 1998 to file charges with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or bring their claims in court. Class counsel has planned for various outcomes before the Supreme Court— including this one—and have put in place plans to assist as many women Wal-Mart class members as possible with their claims.

Class counsel has been contacted by thousands of current and former Wal-Mart women over the years and will be communicating with them about their options directly and via the www.Walmartclass.com official website, where women can go for more information. It is very important that current and former women at Wal-Mart and Wal-Mart itself understand that today’s ruling does not end this case or the struggle for equal pay and fair promotions at Wal-Mart. The fight for justice will continue.