the claimed that there were not>> betty duke was a cashier/greeter in her face. me and my co-workers have unclaimed. >> me and my co-workers are angered. >> they filed a lawsuit in federal court in san francisco accusing the retailer of discriminating against female employees. paying them less than men and giving them a few more promotions. a few years later they were able to expand a lawsuit with 1.5 1 million women that work for walmart's in the u.s.. since december, 1998. walmart's appealed to the supreme they went>> today, the decision was 4-5, for in favor of wal-mart. however, that the duke can take her own claim. >> it does not say that supreme court does not say that one or does not discriminated. all they said was that the structure of this case could potentially with 1 million plaintiffs was simply too big under the rule for class action. >>pam: this was a victory for wal-mart but also for a larger businesses in the u.s. it was also pending class actions against costco and others. the plaintive, betty duke we spoke to her reaction and what is next for h

. >> betty dukes saying her employer of 17 years promoted a culture where men received pay raises and promotion buzz the court ruled the lawsuit cannot longer move forward, if women like dukes want to sue walmart now they'll have to pursue on their own. >> we just stayed focused and still determined to go forth with our complaint. >> wut a class action case there is less pressure for the retail giant to settle and the company said walmart has a long history of providing advancement opportunities for female associates and will continue efforts to build a robust pipeline of future female leader buzz says did it not resolve the charge. >> this opinion doesn't go to the merits of the suit. some defendant maze have good lawsuits. what this goes to is whether the employees can come together as a single class. >> business groups applaud this ruling. >> from the business community we're pleased to have receive aid common sense ruling from the united states supreme court on this issue. >> dukes lawyer says it will have a damaging affect on other case autos there is no question individual cases

betty dukes worked as a greeter at walmart. she and other female walmart employees filed the suit against walmart in 2001. duke's name is the first name listed in the suit. over the past decade, walmart has tried to block the suit from going forward. and today, walmart finally gone. walmart said because the suit came from many different stores, regions, states and managerrers that hired them, there -- managers, -- they ruled that way many of the women involved said they will continue their fight. although they won't be able to be in a class-action lawsuit, they will sue in smaller groups. >> but they didn't say walmart was off the hook. they didn't rule whether they were guilty or not of sex discriminal names. in fact, they are not off the hook. >> i'm still very positive. i'm still very positive that the women will have voices who have experienced sexual discrimination at walmart. there will be a different route we're taking. we'll be filing hundreds of claims individually. >> reporter: legal experts say this suit had it gone

. >> betty dukes, a greater at this wal-mart, said she and more than a million other women who work at stores were denied equal pay and job promotions back in 2001. but the court disagreed saying there were toom women and too many jobs to wrap into one lawsuit. >> what the supreme court has done is that they have made it potentialally harder to raise the bar on what plaintiffs will have to show to be treated as a class. >> and the ruling is a set back for anyone fighting any form of discrimination, the business community is backing wal-mart that a reverse ruling would have opened the flood gates based on evidence. >> in a statement wal-mart said, quote, they were worlds away from showing a discriminatory pay policy and promotion policy. >> they did not say that wal- mart is off the hook. they did not rule if they were guilty of sex discrimination. >> she continues her suit as most likely will other people in various states. she returns to work tomorrow as usual. >> the hill is -- hill is getting higher but it is climbable. we're determined to not only be heard but we are determined to

. >> betty duke was a cashier/breeder in pittsburgh and she also had difficulty having a smile on herace. >> i have suffered. degrees. me and my co-workers have unclaimed. >> me and my co-workers are angered. >> they filed a lawsuit in federal court in san francisco accusing the retailer of discriminating against female employees. paying them less than men and giving them a few more promotions. a few years later they were able to expand a lawsuit with 1.5 1 million women that work for walmart's in the u.s.. since december, 1998. walmart's appealed to the supreme court. >> the wind too far on the other side. >> today, the decision was 4-5, for in favor of wal- mart. however, that the duke can take her own claim. >> it does not say that supreme court does not say that one or does not discriminated. all they said was that the structure of this case could potentially with 1 million plaintiffs was simply too big under the rule for class action. >>catherine: it was seen as a victory for wal-mart. not only for just wal-mart but other large companies. >>pam: the duke spoke out. >> that the du

>>reporter: betty duke was the lead plaintiff. saying her employer of 17 years promoted a culture where men received pay raises and the promotions. but the nation highest court ruled the lawsuit can no longer move forward as a class action case. if women like dukes want to sue wal-mart now they have to pursue the claims on their own. >> we just stay focus. still determine to good forward with our complaint. >>reporter: without a class action case there is less pressure for the rae tail giant to settle. in a statement the company said wal-mart has a long history of providing advancement opportunities for our female associates. and we'll continue the efforts to build a robust pipe lane of future female leaders. but legal analyst says the ruling doesn't address the charge that wal-mart discriminated against women. >> this opinion doesn't good to at the time merits of the suit at all. some or all of the plaintiffs may have very good lawsuits. what this goes to is whether employees can come together l as a single class. >>reporter: bus

. >> reporter: the case got to the supreme court after betty dukes and five other female employees sued walmart, complaining the company was giving men more money and better promotions than women. they said they weren't alone. their lawyers argued that walmart had a companywide policy of discrimination. and that every woman who worked at any walmart nationwide since 1998 should have to join with dukes in a huge class action lawsuit. >> individually, we just don't have the resources to be up against some of the greatest corporations in america. >> reporter: today, the supreme court refused to go along, saying walmart's 1.5 million fee mail employees held different jobs in 3,400 stores across 50 states, and that they had little in common but their sex and this lawsuit. in a decision by justice antonin scalia, the court said there was no convincing proof walmart's policies, which give local managers discretion in some pay and promotion decisions, triggered widespread discrimination. the court's four liberals dissented from that part of the court's decision, which they said was too broad. a

the ruling is a huge legal blow to betty dukes in california, a walmart greeter and one of the first to sue. >> if you are a major corporation in america and have the resource, then you definitely have a greater advantage over us that have little to no means. >> reporter: with only small claims individually, the women filed a class-action lawsuit t only way most were likely to get into court. they claimed the company had a permeated 3,000 stores. but by a ruling of 5-4, with the three women justices justices d, the court said that wasn't enough, that the employees failed to prove that walmart had a general policy on discrimination. it's impossible to say, the court concluded that there's a specific common reason that caused all the women to lose out on a race or promotion, an essential element of a class action. lawyers for the company say the fight is now over. >> the plaintiff's lawyers may try to reconfigure this case in a class action, but i think their efforts are destined to fail because as the court ruled today, their legal theory just doesn't hold water. >> reporter: but the

. >> betty dukes and at least one other plaintiff now plan to file individual claims against walmart. the group lawsuit could have cost walmart billions of dollars in damages. and other large employers feared it could have opened a door to a storm of large class action lawsuits. >>> you wouldn't throw this stuff into the bay, would you? no. but you may be doing it inadvertently. i'm ike sugerman, i'll tell you how coming up. >>> part of the big highway shut down this week, the best way to get around the closure. >>> here in palo alto we currently have temperatures in the mid-90sings, but this is not even yet the hottest day of the workweek. we'll post that forecast as "eyewitness news" continues. ,, >>> pinpoint weather is sponsored by mancini sleepworld. even bans plastic bags. but san francisco >>> well it pushes recycling, discourages driving and even bans plastic bags. >> but san francisco is still one of the cup treats' dirtiest cities. new orleans is on top followed by philadelphia, la and memphis. san francisco is number 12 it factors things like air pollution. where is san fra

. >> reporter: the case got to the supreme court after betty dukes and five other female employees sued wal-mart complaining the company was giving men more money and better promotions than women. they said they weren't alone. their lawyers argued that wal- mart had a company-wide policy of discrimination and that every woman who worked at any wal-mart nationwide since 1998 should have to join with dukes in a huge class action lawsuit. >> individually we just don't have the resources to be up against some of the greatest corporations in america. >> reporter: today supreme court refused to go along saying wal- mart's 1.5 million female employees held different jobs in 3,400 stores across 50 states and that they had it will until common but their sex and this lawsuit. in a decision by justice antonin scalia, the court said there was no convincing proof wal-mart's policies-- which give local managers discretion in some pay and promotions decisions-- triggered widespread discrimination. the court's four liberals dissented from that part of the court's decision which they said was too broad,

the suit initiated by this woman, betty duke who's works as a greeter and claims walmart passes overn for promotions and wouldn't right to sue on behalf of the other worker buzz today's decision says they'll have to pursue claims individually. >> and i'm still optimistic will go forward in claims of sexual discrimination against walmart. >> walmart saying the company has a long history of providing advancement opportunities and made strides in developing women throughout the organization. >> the high court blocked losses aimed at forcing cuts from power plants targeting the largest polluters in the country, file by group who's want reductions in emission buzz justices ruled its up to the epa to regulate the pollution, not the courts. the epa plans to issue rules sometime next year. >> on to consumer news. and that is what a man says happened to him. and there is michael finney. >> in fact if they can do it again he might hit control, alt, delete on the purchase. it's been a while and he says almost immediately after taking it out of the box, something was wrong. >> this is like lcd s

and was biled a a local woman, betty dukes, claiming male employees were being promoted and getting paid more. >> this is to step forward. >> they can move forward, but those would be with individual lawsuits. walmart issued a statement saying the claims were worlds from showing a company-wide discrimination policy. >> janitors and other workers in san jose are demanding comprehensive immigration reform. they claim the department of homeland security stepped up enforcement and the employers supposed to be the focus. >> we're giving the message we want hope, not fear. we don't want fear in our communities. we want there to be hope for the american cream. -- dream. >> today's rally is part of a justice for janitors campaign. the group believes enforcement only efforts created an underground of economy of undocumented workers and that pushes down wages and working condition autos investigators looking into the cause of an early morning apartment fire that sent one person to the hospital and left 55 other was out a place to live. the fire broke out just before 2:00 in the second story unit o

business is before the senate judiciary committee are scheduled to include betty dukes, the lead plaintiffsuit filed on behalf of more than a million female employees of walmart. the court recently decided the employees did not have enough income and to pursue a national class action. later in the afternoon, at 3:30 p.m. eastern, the federal reserve board of governors meets to discuss debit card fee regulations. the senate recently voted not to delay fee caps as required in the dodd-frank regulation law. in a few moments, today's headlines and your calls. live on "washington journal." 10:00 eastern, a hearing on data security and privacy. john brennan, assistant to the president for homeland security, talks about counterterrorism strategy is live at 1:00 p.m. eastern. that will be live at 2:30 p.m. eastern with a hearing on diplomatic security. and in about 45in

betty duke says this is not over and women will continue to fight. she accuses walmart of paying less. they will gather at 11:00 this morning to protection. also rallies in boston and washington, d.c. 5:35. talking about the first day of summer, boy, is it arriving as summer should, i suppose. >> oh, yeah. it's a warm, warm day. as we head throughout tomorrow, pretty much the same. then we're going to start to cool off. that's the good nous. satellite rimmage shows us in control of our weather. the hottest area today the east bay. you are probably used to that. make sure if you work outside that you're drinking plenty of water, seek shade when you can. i would say that goes for tomorrow. after that kind of a cooldown. a lot of people were automatic cough guard by this excessive heat. through thursday back in the 80s burt we do have a spare the air alert in the east bay, the entire bay area though we have good air quality in places in the north bay and along the peninsula. your forecast including the cooler seven-day. >> cooler, cooler than 103, sure.

. >> reporter: betty dukes said she and more than a million women who work at wal-mart stores across the country were denied equal pay and jobs promotions back in 2001. the court disagreed saying there were so many women and to many jobs for one lawsuit. >> they have made it possibly harder to raise -- to raise the baron what plaintiffs will have to show to be treated as a class. >> reporter: he said this is a set back for anyone fighting any form of discrimination but the business community is backing wal-mart believe that a reverse ruling would have opened the gates to more class action lawsuits based on vague evidence. in a statement wal-mart said the claims were worlds away from showing a company wide discrimination poll civil. >> they didn't say that wal- mart is off the hook. they don't rule if they were guilty of discrimination. >> reporter: so dukes continues her lawsuit independently. she returns to work tomorrow. >> the hill has gotten higher but it's still climbable. we are determined to not only be heard but we are determined to win. >> reporter: in pittsburgh, ktvu chann

. >> reporter: betty dukes said she and more than a million women who work at wal-mart stores across the country were denied equal pay and jobs promotions back in 2001. the court disagreed saying there were so many women and to many jobs for one lawsuit. >> they have made it possibly harder to raise -- to raise the baron what plaintiffs will have to show to be treated as a class. >> reporter: he said this is a set back for anyone fighting any form of discrimination but the business community is backing wal-mart believe that a reverse ruling would have opened the gates to more class action lawsuits based on vague evidence. in a statement wal-mart said the claims were worlds away from showing a company wide discrimination poll civil. >> they didn't say that wal- mart is off the hook. they don't rule if they were guilty of discrimination. >> reporter: so dukes continues her lawsuit independently. she returns to work tomorrow. >> the hill has gotten higher but it's still climbable. we are determined to not only be heard but we are determined to win. >> reporter: in pittsburgh, ktvu chann

i am betty dukes. i am honored to have been invited to speak to you this morning. the supreme court's ruling in the wal-mart v. dukes has brought me before this committee today. i would like to share my history as a wal-mart employee. i grew up in the city of pittsburg, california and over at the wal-mart store their for 17 years. i worked in the retail industry for nearly 25 years before coming to wal-mart. most of my working career has been in the retail businesses. from the start of my career with wal-mart, i sat opportunities for advancement, but during my 17 years of wal-mart, i have received only one promotion. while working at wal-mart, i received numerous awards for outstanding customer service and other duties performed well. prior to filing this lawsuit in 2001, there was never any posting for management positions in my story. for the first nine years that i worked at wal-mart, i never signed nor heard of any system for applying to get into management. after the lawsuit, i learned that my experience was typical of what other women had experienced at other

the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit is betty dukes, a walmart greeter in california. she joins us now from berkeley along with her lawyer, brad seligman. i would like to start with you, betty. i'm sure you must be disappointed with this verdict. what did you think when it was handed down? >> well, when i received notice that we had -- the verdict was in, of course i was disappointed because the verdict was going to affect the case greatly, but yet even with the judges' decision from the supreme court, we're still focused on going forth and my role in the case as plaintiff, my lawsuit against walmart is still up, up and running. i'm determined to have the merits of my case heard in federal court in the near future. >> what motivated you, betty, to file this suit in the first place? >> well, as you know, the suit was filed a decade ago, ten years ago, in 2001. i had been working for walmart for 17 years, started back in 1994. well, over a period of time prior to actually filing this lawsuit in federal court, i had observed in my store that there was disparity in promotio

the wal-mart suit initiated by betty dukes. who works as a wal-mart greeter in contra costa county. the lawsuit claims that wal-mart systematically passes over women for promotions and she won the right to sue on behalf of up to 1.6 million other wal-mart workers. but yesterday's high court decision says they have to pursue their claims individually. >> i feel very optimistic that we will successfully go forward in our claims of sexual discrimination against wal-mart. in a statement, wal-mart says the company has a long history of providing advancement opportunities for female associates and made tremendous strides in developing women throughout the organization. >>> beginning next month, state of california will no longer issue unemployment checks. instead, those on unemployment will be herbed e.b.t.s, they're electronic benefit transfer cards. prepaid debit cards. people getting unemployment checks will use the debit card in anyplace that visa debit card is accepted. >> once the money is there, you can let them have it, directly deposited from that account, directly to your checki

. >> betty dukes and at least 1 other plaintiff now plan to file individual claims against walmart.ould have cost walmart billions of dollars in damages. and other large employers, they feared that it could have opened a door to a storm of large class action lawsuits. and the high court also handed utility companies a victory. the justices rejected a global warming lawsuit against 5 big power companies. environmentalists had claimed that the companies created a public nuisance by contributing to climate change. the lawsuit wanted a judge to order them to cut their carbon monoxide emissions but the federal court said regulating greenhouse gases should be left to the environmental protection agency. >>> a safety concern you didn't hear much about until the tsunami in japan, now people around the planet are taking a look at nuclear power. that includes did 104 reactors in the united states, 82 of which are over 25 years old. randall pink ton randall pinkston has more from the united nations. >> reporter: japan's fukushima crisis has fostered a new push to make fuel power safer. >> we h

>>reporter: betty duke was the lead plaintiff. of 17 years promoted a culture where men received the pay raises and the prosecute motions. but the nation hayest court ruled the lawsuit can no longer mav forward as a class action case. if women like duke want to sue wal-mart, now they have to pursue the claim on their own. >> we just stay focus. still determine to good forward with our complaint. >>reporter: without a class action case there's less pressure for the retail giant to settle n.a statement the company said wal-mart has a long history of providing advancement opportunities for female associate and will continue the effort to build a robust pipeline of future female leaders. but abc legal analyst says the ruling doesn't address the charge that wal-mart discriminated against women. >> this opinion doesn't go to the merit of the suit at all. some or all of the plaintiffs may have very good lawsuits. what this goes to is whether employees can come together as a single class. >>reporter: business groups like the california ch

now, the handful of women who brought the lawsuit including local walmart greeter, betty dukes of pittsburg, may pursue claims on their hone with much less -- own with much less money at stake. >>> the protest plans to eliminate libraries are happening in oakland right now. jade hernandez has more. she's live. jade? >> reporter: that's right. the read-in is on, dave. we're live at the amphitheater in front of city hall. we're on hour two and each hour is dedicated to if leaders were decided to shut these down. this hour is dedicated to brookfield branch. at the podium is amy. she works at one of the local branches here in oakland. she told us this morning that it's important that the community come out and be art of the -- be part of the read- in. now, closing 14 libraries in oakland would only leave four oakland libraries remaining. oakland police arrested 16 people at a demonstration on friday. the group which organized that protest bay of rage, offered an alternative to closing libraries. that's cutting police. save oakland libraries another coalition of concerned city residents organize

in favor of wal-mart in its fight to block a master sex offensive lawsuit one of those women was betty dukesyears of hard work and excellent performance reviews she was denied the training that she needed to advance to a higher salaried position. the supreme court justice ruled today that the lawsuit against the wal-mart cannot proceed as a class action lawsuit. this reverses a decision by the ninth u.s. circuit court of appeals in san francisco. now the handful woman including betty do can now pursue their claims on their own, but a lot less money is a stake in a lot less pressure on wal-mart to settle. another store right now, and in tv star has been reported killed in a car crash i will have an update on that--an mtv star was killed and reportedly in a car crash i will have an update on that. >> now a shark was found about 200 yds off the beach it was spotted by a coast guard helicopter they told everyone to get out of the water. the shark was between 8 ft. and 10 ft. long, they are concerned because they did not want anyone in until thursday. the scientists have called this area off of t

walmart was sued by betty dukes and five other female employees on behalf of 1.5 million other women>> i was very optimistic that the court perhaps would rule for us. but they did not. >> reporter: the women claimed walmart discriminated against female employees when it came to pay and promotion. through a class action lawsuit, they sought billions of dollars in damages. but in a unanimous decision, the supreme court threw out the case, ruling that the class was simply too varied. walmart's 1.5 million female employees, quote, held a multitude of different jobs, at different levels of walmart's hierarchy, for variable lengths of time, in 3,400 stores, sprinkled across 50 states. they have little in common but their sex and this lawsuit. the court did not rule on the discrimination claims themselves. still, walmart considered the outcome a victory. >> the court said that the evidence was worlds away from showing that walmart had a policy of discrimination. that's correct. we're very glad the court threw this class action out. >> they still discriminate. >> reporter: but for plaintiff

witnesses are scheduled to include betty dukes, the lead plaintiff filed by employees of all my. the court recently decided the employees did not have enough to pursue a national class- action against wal-mart. >> every saturday, i hear oral arguments on c-span radio. including sexual orientation and general -- gender and race discrimination. this saturday, tune into c-span radio at 90.1 fm in washington, d.c. and online at c- spanradio.org. >> senators joe lieberman unveiled at their proposal to reduce medicare spending and cut the debt. this is about 20 minutes. >> there are a couple of things that we agree on that bring us here together. we both love our country. we can see it heading over a fiscal cliff unless there are people like us to come together to get the books back in balance. we both love our children and grandchildren. we do not want to be back country to them in such a mess. so that they will not have the same opportunities we had. that is why tom and i are making this proposal that will cut our national debt and preserve medicare as a government program for curren

i am betty dukes. i am i to speak to this morning. this print courts ruling has brought me before this committee today. i would like to share that love may his jury is a wal-mart employee. i grew up in the city of pittsburg, california and have worked the wal-mart store there for 17 years. i had worked in the retail industry for nearly 25 years before coming to wal-mart. most of my working career has been in the retail business. from the start of my career with wal-mart, i've sat opportunities for advancement. but during my 17 years at wal-mart, only one promotion while working in wal-mart buyers leave numerous awards for outstanding customer service and other duties performed well. prior to filing this class did in 2001, there was never any post them for management positions in my story. for the first nine years of newark to wal-mart, i never saw nor heard of any system were trying to get into management. after the lawsuit was filed, i learned my experience was typical of other women's experience at other stores. once the lawsuits be

witnesses before the senate judiciary committee are scheduled to include betty duke's, the lead plaintiffthe class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of more than 1 million female employees of wal-mart. the court recently decided that the employees did not have enough in common to pursue a national class-action. >> after four and a half years and to president, defense secretary robert gets -- rocket is set to retire this week. he will be replaced by -- defense secretary robert gates is set to retire this week. he will be replaced by leon panetta. search, watch, click, and share -- it is washington your way. >> harold koh told the u.s. that the war powers act did not apply in libya. then it marks the legislation for a year, but barring ground forces. t >> the hearing will come to order. i apologize for starting a few minutes late. we are here this morning to further examine an issue that we have been debating since it was passed. i think this is a good kid -- a debate of decades, since the 1970's. certainly, it has been debated over the course of the last week's with respect to the war parts r

witnesses before the senate judiciary committee were scheduled to include betty duke's, the lead and plaintiffs in the class-action suit on the behalf of a group against wal-mart. >> join the heritage foundation book party for an coulterville and her new book is "economic -- party for ann coulter and her new book "demonic." weekend schedules are in your in box. >> good morning karen >> temple linty criticize the foreign policies of president obama -- >> good morning. >> tim pawlenty criticized the foreign policies of president obama. >> advance in the cause of thoughtful and discussion and debate. i am thankful for your hospitality and your presence here this morning. i want to speak plainly about a number of opportunities and dangers we face today in the middle east. we have a situation where the revolutions now roiling that region offer the promise of a more democratic, more open, and more prosperous arab world. from morocco to the arabian gulf, the escape from the dead hand of oppression is now a real possibility. now is not the time to retreat from freedoms rise. yet, at the same

it's a huge legal blow for christine turned down for a raise at a sam's club store and betty dukes, a walmart greeter who helped launch this case. she vows to fight on somehow despite the loss. >> it does not take away any of the belief that we have that our claims are justified and right. they won one battle but the war is far from over. >> reporter: they joined other women in filing a class-action lawsuit, claiming that walmart had a culture of gender bias that permeated its more than 3,000 stores, affecting decisions on hiring and promoting. but by a ruling of 5-4, with all three women justices dissenting, the supreme court said that wasn't enough. they say the employees failed to prove that walmart had a general policy of discrimination or to identify a specific common reason that caused all of the women to lose out on a raise or a promotion. lawyers for the company say this huge case is now dead. >> walmart has always said if there are individuals who have valid claims, the company wants to address those claims. but that's a different issue than trying to lump everyone into one b