MN judge rules against Wal-Mart on work breaks
by The Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS -- A Minnesota judge has ruled that Wal-Mart cut short employees' rest and meal breaks and forced them to work off the clock, violating the state's labor laws 2 million times.

The judge's order in the class-action lawsuit against the discount retailer awards the plaintiffs $6.5 million in compensatory damages.

An attorney for the plaintiffs expects Wal-Mart will end up paying much more than that after a jury in October considers a civil penalties and punitive damages.

Justin Perl, who represented the plaintiffs, says Dakota County Judge Robert King Jr.'s ruling sends a message to Wal-Mart that the company must pay for its mistakes.

The ruling, which was handed to the parties Monday evening, comes after judgments against Wal-Mart in Pennsylvania and California found similar violations. Wal-Mart is appealing those rulings.

A Wal-Mart spokeswoman says the company disagrees with parts of the decision and is considering an appeal.