Wichita employees win right to sue Boeing

A federal judge has ruled that 4,800 women at Boeing’s Wichita plant can proceed with a class action lawsuit alleging systemic sex discrimination, a lawyer for the women said on Monday.

Judge Wesley Brown at the U.S. District Court in Wichita certified the class-action lawsuit, which alleges that the Chicago-based company denied the women equal pay, promotions and other employment opportunities based solely on their gender, said attorney Steve Berman.

The lawsuit may seek damages in the $40 million to $50 million range, Berman said.

Annual meeting: Honeywell leaders take heat from shareholders

Shareholders of Honeywell International on Monday criticized the chairman and board of directors over the company’s slumping performance and hefty executive salaries.

Several of the roughly 200 people who attended the company’s annual meeting in New Jersey said CEO David Cote and the 12-member board of directors are overpaid and have not represented the interest of shareholders. Honeywell operates an aviation equipment plant in Lawrence.

Grocery: Dillons adds organic line

The Kroger Co. announced Monday that its has added its own line of organic food products to its 2,500 stores, which include Dillons.

The line, called Naturally Preferred, includes 140 different items, including baby food, pastas, cereal, snacks, milk and soy items.

Restaurant: McDonald’s earnings rise

McDonald’s Corp. posted a 29 percent profit increase in the first quarter under new CEO Jim Cantalupo despite still-sluggish sales, benefiting from the impact of the weaker dollar overseas.

The earnings slightly exceeded Wall Street’s lowered expectations and McDonald’s stock jumped 7 percent to a three-month high. Shares rose $1.12 to close at $16.93 on the New York Stock Exchange.