Justice Antonin Scalia, writing the main opinion: "In a company of Wal-Mart's size and geographical scope, it is quite unbelievable that all managers would exercise their discretion in a common way without some common direction. Significant proof that Wal-Mart operates under a general policy of discrimination is entirely absent here."
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in a partial dissent: "Managers, like all humankind, may be prey to biases of which they are unaware. The risk of discrimination is heightened when those managers are predominantly of one sex, and are steeped in a corporate culture that perpetuates gender stereotypes."
Wal-Mart statement: "Wal-Mart has had strong policies against discrimination for many years. The Court today unanimously rejected class certification and, as the majority made clear, the plaintiffs' claims were worlds away from showing a companywide discriminatory pay and promotion policy."
Joe Sellers, attorney for the plaintiffs, on how they will proceed: "We may try to formulate one or more smaller classes consistent with the ruling, where we have substantial evidence of a policy of discrimination."
Marcia Greenberger, co-president of the National Women's Law Center: "The women of Wal-Mart, together with women everywhere, will now face a far steeper road to challenge and correct pay and other forms of discrimination in the workplace."
Robin Conrad, who runs the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's litigation unit: "Our economy would be better served if businesses could spend more resources creating jobs and fewer resources fighting frivolous litigation."
