BBC Learning English
Words in the News
30th March 2011
Women and Wal-Mart case goes to court
The US Supreme Court is reviewing whether or not a court case about women being treated
unfairly at work can proceed. Six women, who worked for the supermarket group Wal-Mart,
want to sue on behalf of over one million other women. Rajini Vaidyanathan reports.
As protesters outside chanted, the judges inside the US Supreme Court were hearing
evidence on what could turn into the largest sex discrimination lawsuit in American history.
This group of women are suing their bosses at Wal-Mart, claiming they've been passed up for
pay and promotion in favour of men.
It's been a ten-year battle, but they are calling on their case to be heard as a class action, so
the grievances of all women employees can be heard together. The women claim thousands of
workers have been held back from opportunities based on their gender.
It's for the Supreme Court to decide in the coming weeks, whether the lawsuit should cover
all female retail staff who've worked in Wal-Mart stores in America since 1988.
Wal-Mart says any grievances should be heard on a case-by-case basis, rather than be lumped
together as one, and deny any claims of sexism.
Many big businesses fear that if the Supreme Court does allow a class action lawsuit to go
ahead, it could open the floodgates to many similar large-scale discrimination cases.
Rajini Vaidyanathan, BBC News, Washington
Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2011
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bbclearningenglish.com
Vocabulary and definitions
chanted sang and shouted phrases repeatedly
sex discrimination lawsuit legal cases where a person believes she (or he) has not
been fairly treated because of her gender
passed up rejected
promotion here, moving to a more senior position at work
in favour of to the advantage of (a group)
a class action a legal case where a small number of people can sue on
behalf of a larger group
held back from prevent from getting (something)
cover here, include, deal with
lumped together grouped together
open the floodgates make it possible (for something significant to happen)
More on this story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12903033
Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2011/03/110330_witn_walmart_page.shtml
Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2011
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bbclearningenglish.com
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