For the fourth year in a row, retail workers are preparing for new Black Friday protests, at dozens of stores across the United States, as stated by Attn.
One of the retailers that will have to deal with protests from its employees is Walmart. Even though a wage increase, from $9 to $10 per hour, was announced, workers are still not satisfied and won’t quit until they obtain a minimum wage of $15 per hour, alongside full-time word for those who want it, according to the same source.
More groups will join the protests
The protests will be ‘hosted’ by the Organization United for Respect at Walmart (OUR Walmart), alongside other groups, like The United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW).
The latter has already protested together with Walmart employees, but administrative changes lead to a divergence. Also, they wanted to offer holiday discounts before Thanksgiving, so UFCW organized the food drive.
“Our campaign to change Walmart can’t just be about one day,” said David Young, UFCW organizer. He also mentioned that his organization’s “Black Friday Week of Action”, which includes food drives for employees, alongside a TV campaign, is required for this.
As for Walmart’s point of view, the retailer doesn’t seem to care that much about the protests, noting that they do not know about OUR Walmart and the UFCW being separated.
Walmart is looking forward to improve their workers’ conditions
“We understand from public sources that a group calling itself Organization United for Respect at Walmart… or other labor organizations or community groups intend to stage one or more demonstrations on Walmart private property in the coming months with assistance and/or participation by your organization,” wrote Steven D. Wheeless, the store’s Counsel, in a letter to UFCW recently.
Also, spokesperson Brian Nick added that they “know it takes quality [employees] to give customers a great shopping experience and we’re proud of the wages and benefits package we offer.”
