U.S. Supreme Court hears argument in Wal-Mart sex discrimination lawsuit

WASHINGTON -- The nation’s court is set to hear arguments on Tuesday in a decade-old legal fight that could cost Wal-Mart Stores billions of dollars if the 500,000 women claiming sex bias are allowed to band together in a class action.

Wal-Mart is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to end the massive sex discrimination lawsuit in which the women are claiming that the retailer favors men over women in pay and promotions.

The women suing Wal-Mart are pushing for class action because they say the retailer would have no reason to change its practices if they are forced to sue individually.

The issue before the high court on Tuesday is only whether the huge lawsuit can proceed.

Wal-Mart has denied all allegations that it discriminates against female employees.