SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The world's largest retailer has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to halt a mammoth sex-discrimination case brought by its female employees, according to a Wednesday court filing.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is appealing an April ruling that authorized the class action, which could include over 1 million female workers. Wal-Mart allegedly practiced widespread discrimination in its pay and promotion practices.
A divided Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals had allowed the lawsuit to proceed, saying mere size should not be a reason for dismissing the case. The litigation could involve billions of dollars in damages and has been described as the largest sex-discrimination class action ever.
The Supreme Court will have to decide whether to hear the appeal.
(Reporting by Dan Levine, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)
