Wal-Mart broke Minnesota labor law more than 2 million times over six years by forcing some employees to work without breaks and without full pay, Dakota County District Court Judge Robert King Jr. ruled Monday in Hastings. The violations carry a penalty of up to $1,000 each, adding up to a potential $2 billion fine, according to plaintiff's attorney Jon Parritz in Minneapolis. The suit was filed in 2001 on behalf of 56,000 current and former Wal-Mart and Sam's Club employees in Minnesota. In addition to the penalties, Wal-Mart owes workers at least $6 million in back wages, said Parritz, an attorney at the Maslon law firm. "We think this sends a loud message to Wal-Mart that compliance with wage and hour law is important, and employees will have their day in court," he said.
See "Wal-Mart broke Minnesota labor law, judge rules", H.J. Cummins, Minneapolis Star Tribune, June 30, 2008