Class action lawsuit against Wal-Mart proceeds

Payson Wal-Mart by Jim Keyworth

In a 6-5 ruling Monday, the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest private employer must stand trial, on charges it pays men more than women for the same work, and that women have to wait longer than men for promotions.

The class action lawsuit, filed by six women in 2001, could potentially cost Wal-Mart billions of dollars in back pay.  Between 500,000 and 1 million women are included.

Wal-Mart has 8,000 stores worldwide and employs 2.1 million.