Former Workers Protest Walmart’s Retaliation, 10 Arrested
Nine former and one current Walmart worker, protesting what they charge is Walmart’s retaliation against workers who have spoken out for justice or taken part in strikes, took arrest Thursday afternoon after they sat down and locked arms in front of Walmart’s Washington, D.C., federal lobbying office. Two other activists supporting the workers also took arrest.
According to the worker group Our Walmart , 20 workers were allegedly fired and another more than 50 disciplined after they took part in a strike against the retail giant in June.
Pam from CA 'I am here taking a stand for every Associate too afraid to speak out.' #walmartstrikers
— ForRespect (@ForRespect) August 22, 2013
Barbara Collins, who was fired from her Placerville, Calif., Walmart job, said in a tweet before the arrests took place:
I’m not afraid, because I know my co-workers and my community have my back. Several of us are in Washington, D.C., this week to strengthen our calls for better jobs and to call for our jobs back.
The workers are demanding that Walmart reinstate the former employees and raise wages. Collins told Josh Eidelson of The Nation that if Walmart doesn’t act by Labor Day:
Then we’re going to give them a lot more actions, a lot stronger actions, a lot bolder ones. And it’ll be across the country.
Several hundred people took part in a rally that preceded the sit-in. A large group also marched to the headquarters of the National Labor Relations Board to urge the agency to move against the alleged retaliation.
Read Eidelson’s full article .
Gerry, father of two, fired or speaking out. "I have a dream that #Walmart is going to change." #walmartstrikers
— ForRespect (@ForRespect) August 22, 2013
You also can show your support for Walmart workers by signing a petition calling on Walmart to respect workers’ rights and pay a living wage. Find out more at Our Walmart and at Making Change at Walmart .
In related news, you can find out more here about the campaign to bring a living wage to big stores like Walmart in the District of Columbia.
Check out the Metropolitan Washington Council's post about the action .
