Wal-Mart gender lawsuit may expand to 700,000

A lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, will be the biggest employment discrimination class action in U.S. history if plaintiffs’ lawyers succeed in getting class certification, The New York Times reported on Sunday.

Lawyers plan to file a motion in April for class certification, potentially expanding the suit to include all 700,000 women who worked for the company from 1996 to 2001, the Times said.

The suit was filed on behalf of six women in 2001 in federal court in San Francisco. It demands a court order for Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart to stop the allegedly discriminatory practices and compensate for lost wages.

Officials for Wal-Mart, the biggest private employer in the United States, have flatly denied the charge of systematic discrimination.

Food industry: Heinz outlook improves

Ketchup maker H.J. Heinz Co. on Monday backed its fiscal 2003 earnings goals, bolstered by a renewed focus on its primary condiments and sauces business, and a push into developing markets.

Heinz in December spun off its underperforming tuna, pet food and baby foods units to canned vegetable producer Del Monte Foods Co., which included the sale of its Lawrence pet food plant. Heinz now is focused on developing its primary Heinz brand, with an emphasis on new varieties and packaging to make its mainstay ketchup more exciting.

During a presentation to analysts and investors in Scottsdale, Ariz., Heinz said it expected third-quarter earnings of about 52 cents a share, and full-year earnings between $2 and $2.05 per share, excluding the business spun off from Del Monte and a previously announced charge of some $160 million related to the transaction.

Manufacturing: Atchison Casting losses grow during past quarter

Atchison Casting posted a loss of $10.4 million in the second quarter, up from a loss of $5.7 million during the same period a year earlier, company officials announced.

The Atchison-based manufacturer of several iron and steel products said the slow economy had created a tight market for its products.

“The market conditions for the foundry industry are at their lowest levels seen in many years,” said Tom Armstrong, the company’s chief executive.