Wal-Mart worker lawsuit settlement OK’d in S.C.
By The Associated Press Friday, February 20, 2009WALTERBORO, S.C. - A South Carolina judge has given preliminary approval to a settlement of a class-action wage-and-hour lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
A news release from the plaintiffs’ attorney and the company says the $49 million settlement was given preliminary approval Tuesday and ends more than six years of litigation over the discount retailer’s employment practices in South Carolina.
Company spokeswoman Daphne Moore said Thursday she did not know how many South Carolina employees are involved in the settlement.
In December, Wal-Mart said it would spend between $352 million and $640 million to settle 63 wage-and-hour lawsuits. Moore said allegations in the lawsuits don’t represent Wal-Mart’s behavior today.
A phone message left with plaintiffs’ attorney state Sen. Brad Hutto was not immediately returned.
To subscribe to the print edition of The Times and Democrat, click here.
