Suit against Wal-Mart a class action

By Linda Satter

LITTLE ROCK — A federal judge in Little Rock on Wednesday granted class-action status to a lawsuit accusing Wal-Mart of using racially discriminatory practices in hiring over-the-road truck drivers.

The class will include all black applicants living in the continental United States who were denied driving jobs since Sept. 22, 2001, and all blacks who contend they were deterred or thwarted from applying for driving jobs as a result of Wal-Mart's policies and practices.

U.S. District Judge Bill Wilson Jr. said in a 43-page order that the group of plaintiffs - expected to number below 10,000 - can seek back pay and a declaration that Wal-Mart's policies and practices were racially discriminatory and thereby unconstitutional.

For more information see today's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

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