Jacqueline Cote and Walmart Announce Class Settlement Over Health Insurance Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses of Walmart Associates

BOSTON, Dec. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Walmart associate Jacqueline Cote and her lawyers filed a motion today asking the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts to grant preliminary approval of a class action settlement in Cote's action that challenged Walmart's lack of health insurance benefits for same-sex spouses of Walmart associates prior to 2014.

The case is known as Jacqueline Cote v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., No. 15-cv-12945-WGY (D. Mass.).

The $7.5 million proposed settlement would pay for claims by Walmart associates in the United States and Puerto Rico that they were unable to obtain health insurance coverage for their same-sex spouses from Walmart from Jan. 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2013, as well as the costs of administering the settlement and legal fees and expenses. In 2014, Walmart voluntarily made the same health insurance benefits available to same-sex spouses of its associates that it offered to opposite-sex spouses. As part of the proposed settlement, Walmart commits to continuing to do so in the future. 

The proposed settlement class is expected to include no more than a few thousand current and former Walmart associates. Walmart employs nearly 1.5 million associates in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Sally Welborn, Senior Vice President, Global Benefits for Walmart, said, "We're happy both sides could come together to reach a resolution. Respect for the individual, diversity and inclusion are among the core values that made Walmart into the company that it is today. We will continue to not distinguish between same and opposite sex spouses when it comes to the benefits we offer under our health insurance plan."

Cote said, "I'm pleased that Walmart was willing to resolve this issue for me and other associates who are married to someone of the same sex. It's a relief to bring this chapter of my life to a close."

Cote is represented by GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), Outten & Golden LLP, the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs (WLC), and Arnold & Porter LLP.

Janson Wu, GLAD's Executive Director, said, "This is an important settlement for LGBTQ workers."

Juno Turner, a Partner at Outten & Golden LLP, said, "We are pleased that class members will have the opportunity to receive compensation."

Peter Romer-Friedman, a Counsel at Outten & Golden LLP, said, "We are glad that as part of the settlement Walmart will continue to provide the same health insurance benefits regardless of the gender of the associate's spouse."

Jonathan Smith, the WLC's Executive Director, said, "We believe the proposed settlement is fair and reasonable and are pleased we could announce it today. We are pleased to have worked with our colleagues at GLAD, Outten & Golden, and Arnold & Porter to achieve this settlement."

Contacts for Plaintiff and her attorneys: Gary Buseck and Allison Wright, GLAD, (617) 426-1350; Juno Turner and Peter Romer-Friedman, Outten & Golden, (212) 245-1000; Matthew Handley, Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs (202) 319-1000

Contact for Walmart: Randy Hargrove, (800) 331-0085.

Media contacts for Plaintiff: Carisa Cunningham, GLAD, (617) 426-1350; Georgia Willett, Outten & Golden, (212) 245-1000; Erin Powers, Powers MediaWorks LLC for Outten & Golden, (281) 703-6000.

About GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)

Through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy, and education, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation.

About Outten & Golden LLP

Outten & Golden LLP, a 50-plus attorney law firm, represents employees in individual and class action litigation challenging employment discrimination, wage theft, and other workplace injustices.  As advocates for workplace fairness, our passion and profession is to help advance the goals of employees and protect their rights against injustices. 

About the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs

For more than 45 years, the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights & Urban Affairs has handled thousands of cases representing individuals and groups seeking to vindicate their civil rights in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations and other aspects of urban life.

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SOURCE Outten & Golden LLP; GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders