Wal-Mart Has To Pay Some OT
By George Anderson
A federal jury in Oregon has decided Wal-Mart needs to make good on unpaid overtime to 83 workers while another 25 are owed nothing.
Christi Gallagher, a Wal-Mart spokesperson, said the company was not happy any workers were found to have worked overtime without pay but were pleased that “the jury returned
a verdict awarding substantially fewer unpaid, off-the-clock hours than were originally sought.”
According to an Associated Press report, only 108 out of the more than 15,000 employees that were originally asked to participate in the suit went ahead with it to the
jury process.
James Piotrowski, an attorney for the plaintiffs said, “It’s (the jury award) a drop in the bucket for Wal-Mart, but I’d like them to understand that it’s better to pay their
people than to fight battles like this.”
Moderator’s Comment: What will this ruling mean for Wal-Mart and the retail industry?
This ruling makes Wal-Mart look less like the great victimizer of its associates, while doing nothing for the reputation of trial attorneys.
How does that joke go… “What’s the difference between a lawyer and a catfish?” – George
Anderson – Moderator