Big class

In an en banc decision, a sharply divided (6-5) federal appeals court (9th Cir.) has determined that Wal-Mart, the world's largest private employer, must defend a class action gender discrimination suit filed by six women. The class action involves as many as 1.5 million current and former employees. The allegations include claims that women are paid less than men working the same jobs and that women are not promoted as often as or as soon as males.