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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.
Unions came along due to abusive work conditions. I agree that many have become their own middle man monster.
When you see conditions in other countries, such as that place in China that makes apple computers, you can see very well why it's important that workers be able to group together and have their grievances heard without being fired.
That doesn't mean we should throw out the baby with the bathwater.
Perhaps the solution is not to do away with them, but to regroup or rather remember what they are really supposed to be there for, to represent the workers.
When you see conditions in other countries, such as that place in China that makes apple computers, you can see very well why it's important that workers be able to group together and have their grievances heard without being fired.
That doesn't mean we should throw out the baby with the bathwater.
Perhaps the solution is not to do away with them, but to regroup or rather remember what they are really supposed to be there for, to represent the workers.
In my last job, I belonged to a union. I was denied advancement on the grounds that I'd taken the job, knew what it was and that's all it was. No, when I took the job, I'd been lead to believe there was a chance for advancement, based on experience; I already had considerable experience, in the field and worked my tail off; nobody takes a job without expecting to advance if they do it well..... When I approached the union rep, I was told "there's nothing we can do"... yet they accepted my dues every 2 weeks.
My supervisor was a male and he's the one who worked hardest for me. A co-worker (male) with senior status (not a supervisor or boss - just a co-worker who'd been there longer) sabotaged a lot of things I did, and/or took credit for them. I didn't know it when I took the job, but I was doomed from day one........ all because I'm a woman.... can I prove it? No, but that's what it was....
The union rep saw what was happening on a daily basis and still said "we can't help you"...... I did the 6 years necessary to get my retirement benefit and got the h3ll out, even though I really loved the job and would have liked to stay on for an additional year or two.
I agree that unions have outlived their basic usefulness. Their main purpose seems to be to get higher wages/benefits, which are not always warranted. Well, no -- their main purpose is to collect the union dues, so somebody can get rich, even if it's not the employees they represent.
My supervisor was a male and he's the one who worked hardest for me. A co-worker (male) with senior status (not a supervisor or boss - just a co-worker who'd been there longer) sabotaged a lot of things I did, and/or took credit for them. I didn't know it when I took the job, but I was doomed from day one........ all because I'm a woman.... can I prove it? No, but that's what it was....
The union rep saw what was happening on a daily basis and still said "we can't help you"...... I did the 6 years necessary to get my retirement benefit and got the h3ll out, even though I really loved the job and would have liked to stay on for an additional year or two.
I agree that unions have outlived their basic usefulness. Their main purpose seems to be to get higher wages/benefits, which are not always warranted. Well, no -- their main purpose is to collect the union dues, so somebody can get rich, even if it's not the employees they represent.
Yep....we'll leave it there.
Nighty night!
Nighty night!
That is your opinion and your welcome to it. I highly disagree. So we will leave it there. I got work in the am, ttyl
Unions came into being for a reason, something we seem to forget
Yes, during VERY different times when there were no fair labbor laws. Back in the mining days, steel mill days, they were necessary, now, they're not.
The jobs I've worked at that have been union fostered laziness. Sick days? Oh yes, let's negotiate that. 12 a year sounds fair? Naw...union didn't think so. Me, a non-union management employee, I was bound to 6. Fair enough to me. THEN, when employees went OVET their 12 days, if we gave them a verbal or written warning...we had to answer to the union. There was a loophole for everything. "You didn't counsel her within 5 days" (meanwhile the employee had called off for 5 days). It was a total joke. The union got the employees out of everything. They never seemed to have to follow the rules. Like I said, it became not worth it to try to discipline people.
I would have staffing issues, where one unit would be short a nurse. I couldn't just pull a nurse from another unit, oh no no no. There were seniority lists, staffing lists, and protocols to follow. By the time it would get figured out, half the shift was over, and the residents were 4 hrs late getting their meds. Did the employees care? The union? NO! They cared about following the rules. It was disgusting. I could go on for HOURS about it.
Unions have no place anymore, IMO.
Yes, during VERY different times when there were no fair labbor laws. Back in the mining days, steel mill days, they were necessary, now, they're not.
The jobs I've worked at that have been union fostered laziness. Sick days? Oh yes, let's negotiate that. 12 a year sounds fair? Naw...union didn't think so. Me, a non-union management employee, I was bound to 6. Fair enough to me. THEN, when employees went OVET their 12 days, if we gave them a verbal or written warning...we had to answer to the union. There was a loophole for everything. "You didn't counsel her within 5 days" (meanwhile the employee had called off for 5 days). It was a total joke. The union got the employees out of everything. They never seemed to have to follow the rules. Like I said, it became not worth it to try to discipline people.
I would have staffing issues, where one unit would be short a nurse. I couldn't just pull a nurse from another unit, oh no no no. There were seniority lists, staffing lists, and protocols to follow. By the time it would get figured out, half the shift was over, and the residents were 4 hrs late getting their meds. Did the employees care? The union? NO! They cared about following the rules. It was disgusting. I could go on for HOURS about it.
Unions have no place anymore, IMO.
And I would also like to say, back in the day, if you missed more than 3 days work in a year you were fired. Even with the unions. If you were hired by those standards they were enforced. How many people do you know today that miss less than 3 days worth of work a year? Used to be you didnt get off work because someone died in the family and you didn't get fmla either.Whats next, workers comp?
I disagree. Greed is what drove business out of this country, that along with still being able to get their tax breaks as long as they maintain an office here.
I dont know about you but my house payment does not go down, nor my utilities or gas just because my employer might decide his profits are way more important than the person making those profits. GREED! That is why businesses go overseas, that is why americans invest in business overseas, and that is why they want to bust the unions to keep more to themselves.
My mother worked for Keebler Company, origianally Streitmans for 36 years and thank god it was union. She made the same pay as her male counterpart for the same work and the same hours. Why did she work there for that long? Because it was an investment in that company and that company viewed her as an investment as well. She retired from there. Unions speak for the people and mediate between the worker and the employer. Most employers want to satisfy their workers and treat them fairly. At least they used to. Now they just want to bust the unions, not offer benefits much less retirement packages and we all sit back and say, ok that is ok. Unions came into being for a reason, something we seem to forget. Do we really want to go back to what it was like before? I don't! I dont call that progress at all. If I could find a job that was union, I would take it over one that didn't.
I dont know about you but my house payment does not go down, nor my utilities or gas just because my employer might decide his profits are way more important than the person making those profits. GREED! That is why businesses go overseas, that is why americans invest in business overseas, and that is why they want to bust the unions to keep more to themselves.
My mother worked for Keebler Company, origianally Streitmans for 36 years and thank god it was union. She made the same pay as her male counterpart for the same work and the same hours. Why did she work there for that long? Because it was an investment in that company and that company viewed her as an investment as well. She retired from there. Unions speak for the people and mediate between the worker and the employer. Most employers want to satisfy their workers and treat them fairly. At least they used to. Now they just want to bust the unions, not offer benefits much less retirement packages and we all sit back and say, ok that is ok. Unions came into being for a reason, something we seem to forget. Do we really want to go back to what it was like before? I don't! I dont call that progress at all. If I could find a job that was union, I would take it over one that didn't.
The little people have lost their rights....I may even agree with that, but guess who they lose their rights to??? The unions.
In this day and age, with the labor laws that are in effect, unions are not needed. No one is forced to take a job with a lower wage than they need. Unions take the power away from the people...let people handle their own affairs.
I have NO doubt that without the threat of the union, companies would be MUCH more willing to give a little. When they're up against a union, they don't even bother. Unions have too much power....and the very people they are supposed to protect, they hold back.
In this day and age, with the labor laws that are in effect, unions are not needed. No one is forced to take a job with a lower wage than they need. Unions take the power away from the people...let people handle their own affairs.
I have NO doubt that without the threat of the union, companies would be MUCH more willing to give a little. When they're up against a union, they don't even bother. Unions have too much power....and the very people they are supposed to protect, they hold back.
The unions don't help employees like you think they do. If anything, in a lot of positions, people hit the salary ceiling BECAUSE of them. In my line of work, union LPNs make a good deal less than non union LPNs, not including the union dues they pay.
Unions foster laziness, and the "rights" they most often fight for are ridiculous ones. Unions hold BACK progress. People are perfectly capable of negotiating their own salaries and benefits, and should be able to follow company rules without having tio have a union rep involved. Supervisors cannot "manage" people in unions BECAUSE of the unions. It becomes impossible, so they get away with murder at their job, they become untouchable. That is NOT productive.
Unions foster laziness, and the "rights" they most often fight for are ridiculous ones. Unions hold BACK progress. People are perfectly capable of negotiating their own salaries and benefits, and should be able to follow company rules without having tio have a union rep involved. Supervisors cannot "manage" people in unions BECAUSE of the unions. It becomes impossible, so they get away with murder at their job, they become untouchable. That is NOT productive.
Let me just tell you that the word union makes me boil a little bit. I never had anyone negotiating my pay. Do you think the fire department and police unions help or hurt? It just ends up that fewer people are employed because cities can't afford to meet the demands of the unions.
Teacher's unions? Hate them with a passion and believe they harm students.
Anyway, in general, I think unions are part of what drove business out of this country.
Teacher's unions? Hate them with a passion and believe they harm students.
Anyway, in general, I think unions are part of what drove business out of this country.
Yes, that is part of the problem, they want the cheap stuff for sure. But what appears to be happening in this country for the last few years is the effort to bust unions so they can put their thumb on the little people and the rich can get richer and the poor get poorer. Doing away with unions makes it possible for an employer to pay whatever they want to pay someone. Now that might sound great, until its your job doing it. They are busting unions, doing away with pensions and offering less and less benefits. I think we are going in a backward motion and when its not just Walmart or Hostess, but more commonly everyone because the little people have lost their rights, that is when it becomes a problem.
The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Now we see how it all comes about. The unions are being propaganda ised for a reason ya know. And its not good for the workers, only the corporate thiefs.
The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Now we see how it all comes about. The unions are being propaganda ised for a reason ya know. And its not good for the workers, only the corporate thiefs.
And then Americans never ever want to pay 'more' for anything
AND many of them don't want to actually have to WORK at their jobs. There are construction jobs almost ALWAYS available, with good wages, but people don't want to have to "work".
My husband has an IMPOSSIBLE time finding good workers, who are willing to work, and he pays good wages.
AND many of them don't want to actually have to WORK at their jobs. There are construction jobs almost ALWAYS available, with good wages, but people don't want to have to "work".
My husband has an IMPOSSIBLE time finding good workers, who are willing to work, and he pays good wages.
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.
Let's all remember that Wal-Mart keeps their prices low, because they keep their overhead as low as they can; that includes wages, insurance costs, etc. Not forgetting, they're making a profit; that's what shareholders expect. Right or wrong, that's the way our system is set up.
Yeah, but what about all the people who are saying they work for wal-Mart, have a fair to good wage, and good insurance? I'm just not buying it is as bad as it is, there seems to be lots of people perfectly happy with WM. And again, if they're not happy, no one is keeping them there. If WM is breaking a law or something, that's different...if these people just feel they're "worth more", that's totally different...they should look for another job.
If they hire someone who has no education, who wouldn't be qualified for other jobs (which they do regularly), and pay them above min wage WITH benefits, I think that's awesome. WalMart has gotten a bad rep, mostly as a result of the union and these kinds of strikes/uprisings. Back in the beginning of WM, I don't doubt that there were some legit complaints about low wages, etc, but everything I've seen indicates they have come a long way.
It just angers me seeing someone whine, saying WM "doesn't care about families" because they have to work part of the day on T-Giving. HEY! Time and a half baby! That's just ridiculous.
Yeah, but what about all the people who are saying they work for wal-Mart, have a fair to good wage, and good insurance? I'm just not buying it is as bad as it is, there seems to be lots of people perfectly happy with WM. And again, if they're not happy, no one is keeping them there. If WM is breaking a law or something, that's different...if these people just feel they're "worth more", that's totally different...they should look for another job.
If they hire someone who has no education, who wouldn't be qualified for other jobs (which they do regularly), and pay them above min wage WITH benefits, I think that's awesome. WalMart has gotten a bad rep, mostly as a result of the union and these kinds of strikes/uprisings. Back in the beginning of WM, I don't doubt that there were some legit complaints about low wages, etc, but everything I've seen indicates they have come a long way.
It just angers me seeing someone whine, saying WM "doesn't care about families" because they have to work part of the day on T-Giving. HEY! Time and a half baby! That's just ridiculous.
I don't see how you can compare working in the health field to working for a store.
Stores can close for Thanksgiving and nobody is going to die.
This is not true about hospitals.
Sick people do not have choice about when they get sick.
We do have a choice about when we shop.
Many stores used to close for holidays and all was fine.
Stores can close for Thanksgiving and nobody is going to die.
This is not true about hospitals.
Sick people do not have choice about when they get sick.
We do have a choice about when we shop.
Many stores used to close for holidays and all was fine.
Go to the sight and read the entire article and then read the comments from workers below the article. Someone should not have to work for a less than liveable wage and once this starts it will rapidly spread across the board, and your choice as you call it, just went out the window.
I agree that people should be happy to have a job, but I also understand how frustrating it is to work your tail off and by the time the deductions are taken out of the check, there's not enough left to live on.
Let's all remember that Wal-Mart keeps their prices low, because they keep their overhead as low as they can; that includes wages, insurance costs, etc. Not forgetting, they're making a profit; that's what shareholders expect. Right or wrong, that's the way our system is set up.
Maybe the laws need to be changed so that profit sharing is required by all corporations; maybe the first 25% of profits should go back to company employees as bonuses for helping to make a profit.
Let's all remember that Wal-Mart keeps their prices low, because they keep their overhead as low as they can; that includes wages, insurance costs, etc. Not forgetting, they're making a profit; that's what shareholders expect. Right or wrong, that's the way our system is set up.
Maybe the laws need to be changed so that profit sharing is required by all corporations; maybe the first 25% of profits should go back to company employees as bonuses for helping to make a profit.
In an e-mail, Wal-Mart spokesman Kory Lundberg called the strike “just another exaggerated publicity campaign aimed at generating headlines to mislead” the retailer’s customers and employees. “The fact is, these ongoing tactics being orchestrated by the UFCW are unlawful and we will act to protect our associates and customers from this ongoing illegal conduct,” he wrote, referring to the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.
Good for him...hope he sues the union and fires everyone.
Grrrrr, this makes me mad. Can you tell? ;0)
Good for him...hope he sues the union and fires everyone.
Grrrrr, this makes me mad. Can you tell? ;0)
Employees said they weren’t given a choice as to whether they would work on Thanksgiving and were told to do so with little warning. “They don’t care about family,” said Charlene Fletcher, a Wal-Mart associate in Duarte, Calif. She said she is expected to report for work at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The workers said that when they complain about scheduling and other problems, management cuts their hours or fires people.
OMG, this made me LOL. Try working in healthcare, or any other industry, where you work holidays, weekends and nights. If the store is open that day (one of the biggest shopping days of the year)...then SOMEONE has to work. If you don't like it, find another stinking job.
Good Lord, people should be happy they HAVE jobs. Gimme a break.
OMG, this made me LOL. Try working in healthcare, or any other industry, where you work holidays, weekends and nights. If the store is open that day (one of the biggest shopping days of the year)...then SOMEONE has to work. If you don't like it, find another stinking job.
Good Lord, people should be happy they HAVE jobs. Gimme a break.
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