Statement by UFCW International President Joe Hansen Calling for Walmart CEO and Board Chair Resignations

Posted on April 25, 2012 by jway

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 25, 2012
Contact: press@ufcw.org

(Washington, D.C.) – Joe Hansen, International President of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) and Chair of Change to Win, today released the following statement to join Walmart associates in the demand for leadership changes at the retail giant.

“The corruption scandal and reported cover-up exposed an unacceptable failure of leadership within Walmart. Walmart Chairman Rob Walton and CEO Mike Duke must resign immediately in an effort to restore integrity and accountability for Walmart associates, shareholders, customers, and communities.

“The New York Times exposed a widespread pattern of Walmart executives bribing government officials to secure permits to build stores in Mexico, followed by a cover-up led by corporate leaders including Duke and Walton. The article raises serious questions about whether Walmart has used the same tactics for its expansion in the United States and across the globe.

“For decades, Walmart has pursued a growth-at-any-cost strategy in cities and towns across the United States and globally. In the U.S., we have watched Walmart secure the building permits, variances, and zoning changes to open its stores, in spite of concerted community opposition.

“The public deserves a wholly independent and thorough investigation of Walmart’s practices. Communities across the globe should take heed of Walmart’s reported unlawful and unethical practices in Mexico, as the company works at a rapid pace to expand its retail stores in South Africa, India, and China, to name a few, in addition to its global supply chain operations.”

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The UFCW represents 1.3 million workers, 250,000 in the meatpacking and poultry industries. UFCW members also work in the health care, garment, chemical, distillery and retail industries. For more information about the UFCW’s effort to protect workers’ rights and strengthen America’s middle class, visit www.ufcw.org, or join our online community at http://www.facebook.com/UFCWinternational and www.twitter.com/ufcw

Making Change at Walmart is a campaign challenging Walmart to help rebuild our economy and strengthen working families. Anchored by UFCW, we are a coalition of Walmart associates, union members, small business owners, religious leaders, women advocacy groups, multi-ethnic coalitions, elected officials, and ordinary citizens who believe that changing Walmart is vital for the future of our country.

Comments

  • Anonymous

    A Wall Street CEO, a union worker and a Tea Partier are sitting at a table with 12 cookies.  The CEO grabs 11, turns to the tea Partier and says: “You better watch him… That union guy is out to take your cookie”. 

    • Anonymous

      it is time to Change Walmart into United Food And Commercial Workers Unionize Walmart for all Walmart Cashier Workers and for all Walmart Produce Workers and for all Walmart Deli Department Workers and for all Walmart Bakery Department Workers, it is time to Change Walmart into Teamster Unionize Walmart Store for all Walmart Truck Drivers Workers and for all Walmart Hardware Department Workers and for all Walmart Gardening Department Workers and for all Walmart Customer Service Desk Workers and for all Walmart Maintenance Association Workers and for all Walmart Courtesy Association Workers and for all Sam’s Club Truck Drivers Workers and for all Sam’s Club Forklift Drivers@Stock Person Workers and for all Sam’s Club Maintenance Workers and for all Sam’s Club Cashier Workers and for all Sam’s Club Meat Cutter@Meat Wrapper Workers and for all Sam’s Club Produce Workers and for all Sam’s Club Cafe Workers and for all Sam’s Club Bakery Department Workers and for all Sam’s Club Membership Desk Workers and for all Sam’s Club Cart Attendant Workers, it is time to Change Walmart into Communication Workers of America Unionize Walmart Store for all Walmart Electronics Workers and for all Sam’s Club Electronics, it is time for Walmart Change into United Healthcare Workers Unionize Walmart Store for all Walmart Pharmacy Workers and for all Walmart Pharmacy Workers, and it is time to Change Walmart into United Auto Workers Unionize Walmart Store for all Walmart Tire@Lube Express Workers and for all Sam’s Club Tire@Vehicle Battery Installment Workers right of away and right now please by make Walmart give all Walmart Workers and all Sam’s Club a Living Wage With Affordable Healthcare right of away and right now please without close down all the Walmart Store and without close down all the Sam’s Wholesale Club”.

      from Tom P Noonan

    • Anonymous

      let Vote by Change Walmart into the Unionize Walmart Store From Tom P Noonan,

  • Anonymous

    Thank You United Food And Commercial Workers Union And Teamster Union And Making Change At Walmart And Walmart Watch And OUR Walmart And Employee Free Choice Act For Trying Make Walmart A Better Place To Worker For All Walmart Workers And For All Sam’s Club Workers From Tom P Noonan