Former Workers Sue Wal-Mart Over Pay

Two former employees of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. sued the retail powerhouse for allegedly forcing them to work unpaid overtime, using such tactics as locking them in stores after closing.

Filed in King County Superior Court in Seattle, the class-action suit charged store managers in Washington state, under pressure to lower costs, systematically refused to pay overtime wages and bullied employees into working during breaks and lunches.

Wal-Mart spokesman Rob Phillips said the Bentonville, Ark.-based company had not seen details of the suit and could not comment on the case.

"But I certainly can tell you that our company policy is to pay our employees for all the time that they work," Phillips said.