BLACK CHURCHES PUSH SUPREME COURT

WASHINGTON  - The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a coalition of 34,000 African American and Lation churches, has come out in strong support of the class action lawsuit brought forth by female Walmart employees.

This case represents the largest class action gender lawsuit in history and highlights Walmart's systemic discriminatory practices. Lawyers for women suing the nation's largest retailer built their case on affidavits from more than 100 workers and a statistical model showing that, while women make up 80% of the company's hourly workers, they account for only 30% of its managers. The suit alleges pay discrepancies, unequal promotion policies and a male-dominated management. The church group says it abhors discrimination in any form and stands by these women to seek justice.

Coalition President Rev. Anthony Evans said, " As national organization committed to eradicating racial disparities, we reached out to Walmart to create a strategic partnership. As a corporate giant, Walmart has the resources and scope to enact real change nationwide and we were eager to enact programming to benefit African Americans. Unfortunately, we came to discover that Walmart's priority was to brutally crush competition and exploit their workers, especially minority women. We refuse to partner with an organization whose commitment to their employees and the community is so easily broken - Walmart should be forced to adhere to the standards that we as Americans deserve."

Evans added, "Walmart has proven to be a company resistant to innovation within its workforce and community. Their primary motivation is profit - at any cost. They undermine small businesses while maximizing their own profit margins. Despite the fact that their profit margins are wide - they are unwilling to compensate their employees fairly. The Church is appalled that Walmart would make its profits on the backs of women and children by systematically underpaying them - degrading their human spirit."

NBCI urges the Supreme Court to uphold the rights of these women - who the organization saysare trying to support themselves and their families have been subjected to discrimination and exploitation.