On Sept. 17, Making Change at Walmart (MCAW) announced its support of the 178 female workers who the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) found were likely the victims of gender discrimination according to EEOC memos viewed by the Wall Street Journal.
According to the memos, the EEOC found reasonable cause to believe Walmart paid these women less or denied them promotions, or both, because of their gender. The EEOC now seeks for Walmart to settle its claims with these women or face possible EEOC lawsuits.
MCAW spokesperson Amy Ritter released the following statement in response to the EEOC findings:
“Walmart has a long history of worker mistreatment and it is long past time for the company to be held accountable. When women are paid less or denied promotions because of their gender, it doesn’t just hurt them, it also hurts their families and the local communities they serve.
“From burdening local economies and draining corporate social welfare, to paying poverty wages and mistreating workers, Walmart has manipulated the rules for decades to make millions in profit for shareholders and executives.
“Americans are tired of giant corporations like Walmart putting profits ahead of their workers and customers. These women are sending a powerful message that corporations must treat their workers equally and workers across the country will continue to speak out and make their voices heard.”