For Walmart Workers, D.C. Lobby Day Visit Turns to Strike

Posted on February 11, 2013 by jway

Last week, a handful of Walmart workers from Maryland and Texas went out on an impromptu strike. After gathering in Washington, D.C. to meet with their growing coalition of organizational allies and to hold a lobbying day on the Hill, OUR Walmart members received word that Walmart was once again attempting to silence and intimidate its workers.

In 2012, Walmart workers who are members of OUR Walmart experienced intimidation and retaliation, which led to the Black Friday strikes. This intimidation is not only continuing, but is now taking on new forms. Workers around the country reported being pulled into store meetings, where managers lied to them claiming that 1) OUR Walmart no longer exists as an organization, 2) the Black Friday strikes were illegal and 3) anyone who speaks about OUR Walmart will be fired.

The truth is that OUR Walmart not only exists, but is growing faster than ever. The actions taken on Black Friday were lawful and workers who engage in such protest actions are legally protected. Moreover, it is illegal for Walmart to threaten its workers for exercising their legal right to come together with other workers for change.

Calling for an end to Walmart’s lies and tactics of intimidation, Colby Harris from Texas led a set of workers from a Maryland Walmart out on a one day strike. Additionally, OUR Walmart filed a formal charge with the National Labor Relations Board. Community members can support the OUR Walmart campaign by signing their petition here.

Comments

  • floridanativee

    a handful WOW. The NLRB was found by the US Supreme Court to not have enough legally appointed members and doesn’t really exist anymore.

  • SAH-RB

    I admire you, members of OUR Walmart. It is hard to fight back against the power of such a large and rich company. All workers everywhere who have wanted to build a union and lead better lives have had similar problems with intimidation, the firing or beating of activists, and propaganda campaigns to scare workers. You are part of a long and proud tradition of resistance. One day maybe workers can move beyond fighting the same battles over and over again, and together figure out a new and better way to organize our economic life. I wish you the best in your continued efforts.

  • tompnoonan1961

    let get Walmart change into United
    Food And Commercial Workers Unionize Walmart Store 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 and for all Walmart
    Pharmacy Workers, let get Walmart change
    into Teamster Unionize Walmart Store for all Walmart and Sam’s Club Truck
    Driver Workers and for all Sam’s Club Forklift Driver@Stock Person Workers and
    for all Walmart Stock Person Workers and for all Sam’s Club Cashier Workers and
    for all Sam’s Club Meat Cutter@Meat Wripper Workers and for all Sam’s Club
    Produce Workers and for all Sam’s Club Deli Department Workers and for all
    Sam’s Club Bakery Department Workers and for all Walmart Customer Services Desk
    Workers and for all Sam’s Club Membership Desk Workers and for all Walmart
    Courtesy Association Workers and for all Sam’s Club Cart Attendance Workers and
    for all Walmart Maintenance Association Workers and for all Sam’s Club
    Maintenance Workers and for all Sam’s Club Pharmacy Workers, let get Walmart
    Change into Communication Workers of America Workers Unionize Walmart Store for
    all Walmart and Sam’ Electronics Workers, let get Walmart change into United
    Auto Workers Unionize Walmart Store for all Walmart Tire@Lube Express Workers
    and for all Sam’s Club Tire@Car Battery Installment Workers right of away and
    right now please by make Walmart give all Walmart Workers and all Sam’s Club
    Workers a Living Wage With Affordable Health Care Right of away and right now
    please without close down all the Walmart Store and without close down all the
    Sam’s Wholesale Club

    Think You Very Much

    From Tom P Noonan

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Samuel-Sitar/100001444731897 Samuel Sitar

    abusive managers must quit before they are jailed.