Plaintiffs in a nonjury trial contend that managers at Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's biggest retailer, forced hourly workers in Minnesota to work through breaks and improperly inserted untaken meal and rest periods into time cards. A nonjury trial began today in a Minnesota state court over a lawsuit brought by four workers on behalf of 56,000 Wal-Mart and Sam's Club hourly employees. The suit alleges the company forced employees to work off the clock and through breaks. The suit is one of more than 70 accusing Wal-Mart of wage law violations. The Minnesota workers are seeking back pay to 1998 and as much as $1,000 each for millions of missed breaks.
See "Wal-Mart broke employment rules, employees claim", Margaret Cronin Fisk and Sophia Pearson, Minneapolis Star Tribune, September 24, 2007