Walmart Workers Gear Up for Black Friday Strike; California Workers Announce Second Strike

[marmar]

(Truthout) Black Friday's shopping bonanza brings people out to line up in front of stores for hours before it begins. It has trampled people, but not profits for companies that reap a large chunk of their annual sales on the day after Thanksgiving.

At Walmart, the world's biggest retailer, the world's largest shopping day generates more than a quarter of annual sales.

Now, with the help of online organizing and Our Walmart, Walmart workers are gearing up for a walkout on Black Friday. The workers hope to highlight what they say is the unfairness of having to work for low wages, in poor conditions, while Walmart profits. ...................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://truth-out.org/news/item/12702-walmart-workers-gear-up-for-black-friday-strike

[Initech]

1. Yes!!! The only way to fight back is to hit 'em where it hurts!!

[tama]

2. How to help

If you would like to support Walmart workers struggling for fair treatment in the run-up to Black Friday, there are several easy ways to get involved:

Pledge to stand with workers on Black Friday: The Corporate Action Network is gathering information on actions across the country, searchable by zip code.
Sponsor a Striker: This Making Change/OUR Walmart-run effort will use 100 percent of funds to buy striking workers grocery gift cards to make up for pay lost while on strike.

http://unionosity.com/featured-story/black-friday/

And by spreading information.

[marmar]

3. Thx for the link.

[DollarBillHines]

4. Thanks

The nearest WalMart is almost 30 miles away, I have been inside of one of those horrible places just once.

A de-humanizing, soul-destroying experience, for sure.

But I will gladly contribute.

Again, thanks.
DBH

[NavyMom]

8. I have not shopped at WalMart in almost 2 years..

so this will be easy for me and I will leaving Macy's, Sears & Kmart off my shopping list too.

[Le Taz Hot]

12. Thanks for the link.

I was all geared up to go and there's nothing in a 50-mile radius. Doesn't surprise me. This area just went DOWN to a 13% unemployment rate. I live in a low-income area and people are desperate for jobs. I can't blame the workers.

[Starry Messenger]

5. k&r

[abbyg8r]

6. They should be keeping this quiet

While I agree with their cause, it is not a smart move to circulate this in the media. Wal-Mart will be prepared, overstaff, and hire temporary workers to deal with the walk-out. The company (who my husband used to work for - most miserable years of his career) hates unions more than the negative press and will do what it takes to make the sales on Black Friday.

I also worry for these workers. As a labor attorney, Wal-Mart can fire them for job abandonment. It's generally not protected activity to just walk off the job. Wal-Mart has no problem retaliating even if it costs them ludicrous amounts of money for blatant violations of the NLRA.

Good luck to them. They are brave souls going up against the evil empire.

[phylny]

13. I know a man who works at WalMart.

He's got a wife who stays at home with their young child. I asked him about the strike, and he said it would only work if "everyone" participated.

The company is despicable. They've cut his hours, although he wants to work full time, to about 28 hours a week. He hates them, but right now, there are no other jobs.

The working poor work hard at WalMart.

[DonRedwood]

7. kick....hmmmmmm...how can DU support this?

[femrap]

9. There are no

stores in my area that are considering striking for the day.

Is there something I could at the store in my area that would cost the Walton money....besides stealing, that is.

I have many ideas, but will not mention them because people get all up in my face since they are so pure and nice and loving and apologists for the rich.

Leaving a little basket full of expensive cuts of beef on the floor somewhere in the store? OK, I won't do it. I promise.

Goddess, I miss the '60's. The website said 'creative.'

[Fuddnik]

10. Kick and Rec.

If they set up picket lines near me, I'll join them.

[tinrobot]

11. How about people boycott WalMart in support on that day?

I never shop there, so it would be easy for me.

[BlueMan Votes]

14. i have a prediction...

walmart will be prepared.

they'll probably have temps waiting in the wings- and if there's a walkout- those that do will be fired on the spot.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

15. www.revbilly.com

Related: Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping