Wal-mart exec. faced down on Today Show, won't guarantee against retaliation on workers

[Omaha Steve]

VIDEO: Wal-Mart Executive Won’t Guarantee That Striking Workers Are Safe From Retaliation

On Black Friday, there are expected to be up to a thousand strikes and protests at Wal-Mart stores — a result of poor wages and benefits and union-busting at the company.

On the Today Show this morning, Wal-Mart Chief Merchandising and Marking Officer Duncan Mac Naughton appeared to discuss the strike. At one point, host Savannah Guthrie asked him if he could guarantee that there would be no retaliation against workers who protested. He dodged the question, and when she followed up, he said they would deal with each case individually:

GUTHRIE: If someone does picket who’s an employee of your store, will they face retaliation, will they be fired, will they see their hours cut down.

DUNCAN MAC NAUGHTON: Savannah, we have a really open culture, it’s all about listening to our associates. It’s based in integrity, with respect to the individual. Our operators and our store managers always want to listen to the concerns of our associates, and we do that all the time, we’ll treat each case –

GUTHRIE: So there’s no ramification if somebody protests?

DUNCAN MAC NAUGHTON: We’ll treat each case individually, Savannah.


Wal-Mart has already been caught telling workers in private meetings that there may be ramifications if any of them go on strike or attend protests: http://www.thenation.com/blog/171389/walmart-worker-mandatory-meeting-management-sent-message-we-could-get-disciplined-striki


Click here to find an upcoming Wal-Mart strike or protest near you: http://corporateactionnetwork.org/campaigns/black-friday

http://boldprogressives.org/video-wal-mart-executive-wont-guarantee-that-striking-workers-are-safe-from-retaliation/

Watch it:

[RiverSong]

1. This has gone on way too long. I hope this is the match that restarts the Labor Movement again.

Unions got a bad name but if you're old enough you remember why those of us in the working class were grateful for them.

Of course there was corruption. All power breeds corruption. You have to fight it everywhere!

[Ecumenist]

3. Amen Riversong, Amen!

A-N-D.Welcome to DU, Right glad Tameetcha!!

[RiverSong]

4. thanks.

Actually a member since 2004, just decided I wanted a new username tonight.
But glad tameetcha too!

[uppityperson]

5. Since we are supposed to have only 1 account, are you then closing your other one?

[RiverSong]

7. Don't know how to close it but I've stopped posting with it and auto-logon to this one now.

Old account = dead to me.

[uppityperson]

8. Send a note to Admin? Contact link is at bottom of page.

Since you posted there right before starting this one, wanted to make sure you were only using one of them.

I like this name.

[RiverSong]

9. Will try that.

I made the change cause I've used that old username in WAY too many places and I'm trying to change the ones I can.

I hated to give up my DU history - member since 2004 and over 9,000 posts - but really... who cares? I'm trying to get out of my ego about numbers and things anyway.

The new name is just because I've become a Doctor Who fanatic over the past years, ever since the Doctor Who reboot.

Thanks for your input.

[uppityperson]

10. I haven't watched that far into it, stopped right before you.

Now I am interested, will have to watch and see more.

[Warren DeMontague]

11. What is the old account name?

?

[thelordofhell]

2. Hey Duncan, what are we gonna hear from you when some poor shopper gets trampled to death

on your hyped up, understaffed "biggest shopping day of the year"