The Wall Street Journal reports Wal-Mart (WMT) agreed Tuesday to pay up to $640 mln to settle 63 suits alleging it routinely underpaid employees around the country, ending years of legal battles over its treatment of workers. As a result of the agreements, each of which must be approved by a trial judge, the retailer said it would take a $250 mln after-tax charge during its fiscal fourth quarter ending Jan. 31. If approved, the settlements would close the majority of the long-running cases Wal-Mart faces on allegations that it did not provide its workers with proper rest and meal breaks, violating state laws. The co disclosed in a regulatory filing earlier this year that it had 76 such cases; resolving 63 in one fell swoop would leave just 12 remaining cases. The total amount Wal-Mart will pay to settle the 63 cases will depend on how many current and former employees submit claims under the individual cases, but Wal-Mart has agreed to pay at least $352 mln, and as much as $640 mln. The co also agreed to continue using electronic systems to document its compliance with state and federal labor laws. The co would not discuss whether it would formally admit wrongdoing in any of the settlements.