WASHINGTON - June 22 - "We are one giant step closer to combating workplace discrimination," said NOW Action Vice President Olga Vives. "Wal-Mart will finally be held accountable for its treatment of women."

Today, U.S. District Court Judge Martin Jenkins certified a massive class action, ruling that six current and former Wal-Mart employees from California may represent all female employees of Wal-Mart who worked at its U.S. stores anytime since December 26, 1998. This nationwide sex discrimination class action lawsuit, Dukes v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., is the largest civil rights class action ever certified against a private employer, and damages could run over a billion dollars.

NOW's Women Friendly Workplace campaign named Wal-Mart a "Merchant of Shame" in 2002 in response to the company's growing list of unfair labor practices. Since that time, NOW activists have participated in a worker-friendly education campaigns at Wal-Mart stores throughout the country.

"Hundreds of women reported that Wal-Mart has created a hostile working environment, one which systematically discriminates against women in pay, training, and promotion," said Vives. "Women who face this problem should be encouraged to know that effective remedies exist and feel comfortable coming forward with their complaint."

Judge Jenkins described the case as "historic in nature, dwarfing other employment discrimination cases that came before it."

The suit, originally filed in 2001, charges that Wal-Mart discriminates against its female retail employees in pay and promotions. The class in this case includes more than 1.6 million current and former female employees of Wal-Mart retail stores in America, including Wal-Mart discount stores, super centers, neighborhood stores, and Sam's Clubs.

Reacting to this lawsuit and a decrease in stock value, Wal-Mart recently introduced workplace diversity initiatives, intended to prevent further gender bias and unfair treatment of workers.

"We will continue monitoring Wal-Mart to make sure that they do implement safeguards for women," said Vives. "Corporations must understand that a loaf of bread doesn't cost any less for a woman."

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