Disney is accused of systematically underpaying women in California. The lawsuit claims that female employees of the company in this state earned $150 million less than men over eight years, writes Reuters.

The first attempt was made Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court to have the lawsuit heard as a class action against about 12,500 women, current or former Disney employees who held positions below the level of vice president, according to reports. News.ro.

An analysis of Disney personnel data from April 2015 to December 2022 found that female Disney employees were paid about 2 percent less than their male counterparts, the lawsuit documents said. The corresponding study was conducted by David Newmark, a professor and economist and labor expert at the University of Irvine, California, Reuters reports.

Disney disputes the study’s findings.

“Plaintiffs’ allegations of an alleged gender pay gap are simply false, which we will prove through litigation,” said Swana Swanson, Disney’s deputy general counsel and head of employment law.

The original lawsuit was filed by LaRonda Rasmussen in 2019 after she learned that six men in the same position were making significantly more money, including a recent hire with less experience than her who was making $20,000 more. Nine current or former Disney employees have joined the lawsuit.