Conservative boycott of Wal-Mart is canceled

A conservative group canceled a two-day boycott of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. that was called for the two days after Thanksgiving to protest the retailer’s support of gay-rights groups.

The American Family Association acted after Wal-Mart pledged in a statement to stay away from controversial causes “unless they directly relate to our ability to serve our customers.”

Mona Williams, a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart, said the company would continue working with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and other gay-rights groups on specific issues such as workplace equality but would avoid unrestricted donations that might be used for causes Wal-Mart did not endorse.

From the Associated Press

* Wal-Mart said a Superior Court judge in Middlesex County, Mass., decertified a class-action lawsuit against the retailer claiming that employees missed breaks. The lawsuit had included more than 51,000 current and former hourly workers at Massachusetts Wal-Mart and Sam’s Clubs stores.