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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend January 12, 2007 Suit against Costco gets class-action status Judge says category applies to women denied promotions to senior jobs since Jan. 3, 2002 The Associated Press SEATTLE — A federal judge has granted class-action status to a lawsuit accusing Costco Wholesale Corp. of denying promotions to women. Under the order from U.S. District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel, the class will include women who have been denied promotions to certain senior staff or management positions at Costco since Jan. 3, 2002. Former employees also are included. The named plaintiffs — Shirley Rae Ellis, Leah Horstman and Elaine Sasaki — worked at Costco warehouses in Colorado and California. They claim the company was quicker to promote less-qualified men and refused to give proper notice of advancement opportunities. Ellis, who had worked as a Costco assistant manager since 1998, also alleges the company retaliated against her initial complaint to federal regulators, including a "disadvantageous warehouse transfer." The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages, including back pay. They also want Costco to change its job posting practices and institute an affirmative action policy for women. Costco has denied the claims. Its lawyers referred requests for comment to the company, but officials did not immediately return phone messages from The Associated Press on Thursday. Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco, the nation's largest wholesale club operator, employs more than 78,000 full- and part-time workers at its U.S. stores. On the Net: Costco:www.costco.com Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com