Wal-Mart to Pay $54.25 Million to Settle Minnesota Lawsuit

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will pay up to $54.25 million to settle a class-action lawsuit that alleged the discount giant cut workers' break time and allowed employees to work off the clock in Minnesota.

Wal-Mart and attorneys for the plaintiffs announced the settlement Tuesday.

The class includes about 100,000 current and former hourly workers who were employed at Wal-Mart Stores and Sam's Clubs in Minnesota from Sept. 11, 1998, through Nov. 14, 2008.

, Arkansas Business reported that Wal-Mart had received complaints from employees and knew of managers' concerns that hourly employees weren't getting required breaks.

In the settlement, Wal-Mart also agreed to maintain electronic systems, surveys and notices to stay compliant with wage and hour policies and Minnesota laws.

In July, a Dakota County judge ruled against Wal-Mart in the lawsuit, saying the Bentonville-based retailer violated state labor laws 2 million times by cutting worker break time and "willfully" allowing employees to work off the clock. Court proceedings had been scheduled for next month to determine punitive damages.

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