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Walmart Black Friday Strike:
Workers Threaten To 'Take Action' On Retailer's Busiest Day
Employees at 28 Walmarts in 12 different cities walked out of work Tuesday, but things may get a whole lot worse for the biggest retailer in the U.S. come Black Friday.
United Food and Commercial Workers' Making Change At Walmart, the group behind the protesters alleging unfair labor practices by Walmart, has warned that the campaign will come to a head on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that's regarded as one of the biggest shopping days of the year, according to a conference call organized by the group Wednesday.
"We feel like if they refuse to listen to our proposition we will make sure that on Black Friday we will take action inside and outside of stores," said Colby Harris, 22, a Walmart worker from Dallas, Texas, and a member of OUR Walmart, a UFCW-backed worker organization closely affiliated with Making Change at Walmart. "We'll make it known that Walmart's deadline is Black Friday," he added.
The Black Friday protests could include any "non-violent action, from flash mobs to strikes to public awareness," Harris added.
David Tovar, Walmart VP of communications, countered the protesters' claims in an interview with The Huffington Post. "These strikes are an attempt by the unions to further their own political and financial agendas," he said, noting that the majority of Walmart's 1.4 million workers are pleased with their jobs. Tovar wouldn't comment on the possibility of Black Friday strikes.
"More than half of Walmart’s one million hourly store associates have an hourly wage at least $10.00 or higher," he said. "In fact, in many metropolitan areas in which we operate, our entry level start rates regularly exceeds that of new hires for comparable positions under the UFCW contracts."
Tovar also said that three quarters of Walmart's store management teams started out in hourly positions, noting that the company promoted 160,000 hourly workers last year.
Employees at 28 Walmarts in 12 different cities walked out of work Tuesday, but things may get a whole lot worse for the biggest retailer in the U.S. come Black Friday.
United Food and Commercial Workers' Making Change At Walmart, the group behind the protesters alleging unfair labor practices by Walmart, has warned that the campaign will come to a head on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that's regarded as one of the biggest shopping days of the year, according to a conference call organized by the group Wednesday.
"We feel like if they refuse to listen to our proposition we will make sure that on Black Friday we will take action inside and outside of stores," said Colby Harris, 22, a Walmart worker from Dallas, Texas, and a member of OUR Walmart, a UFCW-backed worker organization closely affiliated with Making Change at Walmart. "We'll make it known that Walmart's deadline is Black Friday," he added.
The Black Friday protests could include any "non-violent action, from flash mobs to strikes to public awareness," Harris added.
David Tovar, Walmart VP of communications, countered the protesters' claims in an interview with The Huffington Post. "These strikes are an attempt by the unions to further their own political and financial agendas," he said, noting that the majority of Walmart's 1.4 million workers are pleased with their jobs. Tovar wouldn't comment on the possibility of Black Friday strikes.
"More than half of Walmart’s one million hourly store associates have an hourly wage at least $10.00 or higher," he said. "In fact, in many metropolitan areas in which we operate, our entry level start rates regularly exceeds that of new hires for comparable positions under the UFCW contracts."
Tovar also said that three quarters of Walmart's store management teams started out in hourly positions, noting that the company promoted 160,000 hourly workers last year.
Worthless? Who said that? I hope that wasn't in reference to my post. I never said that, and certainly wasn't calling anyone worthless.
My point was...that people who wouldn't qualify for OTHER jobs based on lack of education, advanced age, etc...are often employeed by WM. That's a GOOD thing. There's a LOT of elderly people and people with disabilities working at my WM.
""More than half of Walmart’s one million hourly store associates have an hourly wage at least $10.00 or higher," he said. "In fact, in many metropolitan areas in which we operate, our entry level start rates regularly exceeds that of new hires for comparable positions under the UFCW contracts." "
That's better than most fast food restaraunts, gas stations, etc.
You certainly have the right to choose where to shop, but I find it sad that, due to these kinds of demonstrations, which are probably painting a picture that isn't entirely true....people make those decisions. Like I said, seems to be an awful lot of satisfied employees out there too. I think, due to this kind of media frenzy, and the union pushing its employees, they get a bad rep.
My point was...that people who wouldn't qualify for OTHER jobs based on lack of education, advanced age, etc...are often employeed by WM. That's a GOOD thing. There's a LOT of elderly people and people with disabilities working at my WM.
""More than half of Walmart’s one million hourly store associates have an hourly wage at least $10.00 or higher," he said. "In fact, in many metropolitan areas in which we operate, our entry level start rates regularly exceeds that of new hires for comparable positions under the UFCW contracts." "
That's better than most fast food restaraunts, gas stations, etc.
You certainly have the right to choose where to shop, but I find it sad that, due to these kinds of demonstrations, which are probably painting a picture that isn't entirely true....people make those decisions. Like I said, seems to be an awful lot of satisfied employees out there too. I think, due to this kind of media frenzy, and the union pushing its employees, they get a bad rep.
Teko, they need each other. No two ways about it. Corporations need employees and employees need corporations. And with Wal Mart--- you hear JUST as many good stories as bad.
I ALWAYS sympathize with the single mother of three trying to make ends meet.
I will not be shopping at Wal Mart as I'll be busy at Target.
Okay, really . . . I don't want to be anywhere near any type of store like this. No thanks.
One thing that strikes me though is that we lose jobs to other countries because of cheap labor (among other things). And then Americans never ever want to pay 'more' for anything (except Teko who will support her mom and pop). People wanting to work for more/feel entitled to more/ feel taken advantage of because they don't feel they are paid enough or given enough hours----- but then most of this country clamoring for their cheap goods.
I ALWAYS sympathize with the single mother of three trying to make ends meet.
I will not be shopping at Wal Mart as I'll be busy at Target.
Okay, really . . . I don't want to be anywhere near any type of store like this. No thanks.
One thing that strikes me though is that we lose jobs to other countries because of cheap labor (among other things). And then Americans never ever want to pay 'more' for anything (except Teko who will support her mom and pop). People wanting to work for more/feel entitled to more/ feel taken advantage of because they don't feel they are paid enough or given enough hours----- but then most of this country clamoring for their cheap goods.
I look at it this way. If not for all those worthless uneducated people they got working for them, they simply would not be as profitable as they are. Tells me it is the hard workers that make the money for the corporates, not the other way around.
I empathize for the single mother of three trying to make ends meet and who cannot get a second job because of the fluctuating hours she is expected to work. I will not be shopping Walmart this holiday season. They can afford to treat their people better imo and if we have any doubt, check out what the CEO's make. This is my personal stance, and the rest of you can do as you please, but yep, I will support the little guy! We have 4 Walmart's within a 20 mile radius where I live. I think they can afford to treat their people a little bit better. imo
I'm pretty sure my mother in law would have rather been working at wal mart than yelling at her daughter in laws that they were messing up the dinner when they tried to help. And I remember a time or two that I'd personally wish to be out of there too and off doing my job would have been a good excuse. .
I mean, there ARE some advantages to being away at work (like when it is time to do the dishes).
I'm kidding but not. There are some people that would have no problem working on the holiday rather than deal with the BS that some families turn it into. (whew, I'm cheerful today, aren't I?)
I mean, there ARE some advantages to being away at work (like when it is time to do the dishes).
I'm kidding but not. There are some people that would have no problem working on the holiday rather than deal with the BS that some families turn it into. (whew, I'm cheerful today, aren't I?)
OH....I'm not directly comparing the two, of course they don't "have" to stay open, but that's the norm anymore. If you work in retail, you have to know that working some of these holidays is going to be necessary. More than anything, it's ridiculous that they're acting shocked about it.
I personally think it's dumb to keep stores open on the holidays, but it is what it is...it's a big money maker day...which is good for the economy...companies would be fools to pass that profit up.
I personally think it's dumb to keep stores open on the holidays, but it is what it is...it's a big money maker day...which is good for the economy...companies would be fools to pass that profit up.
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