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We are the 99 percent

Walmart Organizes Against Workers

Posted 10 years ago on Jan. 14, 2014, 11:59 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
Tags: direct action, Walmart, leak

Poverty Pay Keeps Prices Low

Following the release of a claim from Anonymous that Walmart would be targeted, we received the following secret internal documents on Walmart’s attempts to thwart workers who are mobilizing for basic rights and a decent wage. These documents go a long way in revealing just how scared Walmart is of its own workers standing together for change.

FACT CHECK: OUR Walmart is not a union nor is it seeking union recognition. OUR Walmart is simply a group of Walmart hourly workers who have come together to address issues in their stores.

FACT CHECK: Walmart falsely claims that OUR Walmart is seeking union recognition and trying to build a union, because under US labor law, this would take away some of the rights of striking workers. OUR Walmart workers have gone on strike to stand up to Walmart’s retaliation against workers when they have come together to speak out about issues like decent pay, respect in the workplace and getting enough hours to survive. These are legally protected unfair labor practice strikes. Walmart wants people to believe that these are strikes for union recognition so that it can freely fire and target workers, rather than be forced to obey the law and respect their right to speak up.

FACT CHECK: OUR Walmart and UFCW are not seeking to represent Walmart workers.

FACT CHECK: Some of the materials claim that Walmart “takes care” of its own associates. Walmart actually costs tax-payers $900,000 a store in subsidies because they care so poorly for their associates. Recently, a store Walmart held a food drive, for its own workers who can’t afford to eat.

FACT CHECK: Of course workers organizing does not guarantee any result, but we’ve already seen the result of doing nothing and you can guarantee that nothing will get better if people don’t stand up to bullying tactics, insufficient hours and low pay.

FACT CHECK: Walmart claims to have open lines of communication through its “open door policy.” This is really a divide-and-conquer tactic, in which the company makes a single worker bring issues to management alone. This means the “open door” is closed to groups#Disadvantages) who wish to raise issues together and is one way Walmart seeks to deal with people individually, instead of collectively in a stronger group.

FACT CHECK: Walmart claims to be transparent, but doesn’t even supply its workers with a policy manual. They have to access company policies at work on the company network, without time to fully review, rather than having a clear understanding of what is required and allowed.

FACT CHECK: OUR Walmart is a group of Associates who are speaking and representing themselves.

FACT CHECK: What this graph doesn’t tell you is what happened to wages and the middle class when union membership dropped.

via Huffington Post

FACT CHECK: OUR Walmart dues are $5/month and goes to support the organizing work of OUR Walmart. Workers are still welcome to participate if they do not pay dues or are unable to continue paying dues.

FACT CHECK: Making Change at Walmart is the UFCW-led coalition that works in solidarity with OUR Walmart, much like Occupy Wall Street.

FACT CHECK: Walmart workers, in most other countries, have union representation - the United States is an anomaly. When asked why that is the case, then International Chief Executive and soon-to-be Walmart CEO said “We have a local philosophy. It’s our intention to demonstrate that we are a great corporate citizen.”

FACT CHECK: Despite Walmart’s acronym “TIPS” Walmart has recently gotten into trouble for breaking most of the rules outlined in the acronym.

Here is a report documenting the company’s recent systematic worker abuses

The report also documents how Walmart has tried to silence communities along with workers through:

  • Restraining orders against protesters
  • Selective enforcement of company policies in order to provide a pretext for disciplining or terminating activists
  • Selective enforcement of the company’s solicitation policies in order to limit workers’ access to information about the benefits of organizing
  • Illegal threats that workers would face serious consequences if they organized, including economic losses
  • Illegal manipulation of store staffing in order to dilute support for organizing and union representation in the run-up to a union election
  • Illegal information gathering including coercive interrogation, eavesdropping, and remote monitoring of workers via security cameras

The National Labor Relations Board has found merit in workers’ claims of intimidation and illegal action on Walmart’s behalf. After workers went on strike over retaliation in 2013, Walmart responded by firing around 20 workers and disciplining 40 more to scare workers out of standing up for their rights.

FACT CHECK: Note that the union card on page #34 does not say anything about Walmart. OUR Walmart doesn’t sign representation over to UFCW.

FACT CHECK: Unions partner with local groups to help them hold Walmart accountable. This is not meant to harm the company, but to call on Walmart to be a good neighbor and keep its promises to the community. Walmart often makes promises about wages and jobs when it comes to a community, but there is nothing to hold them accountable. This work is all done in solidarity with the workers.

If you are a Walmart worker, there is no time like the present to start organizing your workplace. Go to: http://ChangeWalmart.org

If you are an occupy activist and you would like to help with the effort, go to: http://ChangeWalmart.org and tell them we sent you.

I'm standing up to Walmart

62 Comments

62 Comments


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[-] 5 points by beautifulworld (23767) 10 years ago

Walmart illegally disciplined and fired employees after strikes and protests for better pay says the National Labor Relations Board.

"The National Labor Relations Board, in a sweeping complaint filed on Wednesday, said that Walmart illegally disciplined and fired employees after strikes and protests for better pay."

"Walmart Is Facing Claims That It Fired Protesters" NY Times, January 16, 2014

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/16/business/walmart-is-facing-claims-that-it-fired-protesters.html?ref=todayspaper

And, we wonder why people like Odin went and marched to support these exploited workers.

[-] 2 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

PETITION!! Walmart against women!!

http://action.changewalmart.org/page/s/walmart-moms-deserve-better?source=NOW

Please sign & pass on.

[-] 5 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

Walmart isn't just against mom's. Walmart is against humans. Their way of doing business is bad for all of us, 100% of us, including the Walton's themselves.

[-] 2 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Indeed they are. Agreed.

Even the Walmart truck drivers are apparently against us

[-] 6 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

Walmart is a real drag on American culture and quality of life. They rip off the government through their low pay and all of the entitlements that they get because of it, as the American people must provide food stamps and health insurance to feed and care for their workers, since they won't. They ruin vast amounts of land with there ugly superstores. They exploit workers around the globe to create huge volumes of cheap crap. There is nothing good about Walmart.

[-] 1 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

It is the most maddening reality we face.

http://nypost.com/2014/06/11/walmarts-dirty-secret/

In compliment

thx for response

[-] 7 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

"And in 2010, as the Walton’s wealth has risen and most other Americans’ wealth declined, it is now the case that the Walton family wealth is as large as the bottom 48.8 million families in the wealth distribution (constituting 41.5 percent of all American families) combined."

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/07/17/534591/walmart-heirs-wealth-combined/

It's a sickness to hoard money like that. What the hell is wrong with these people? Shameful.

[-] 2 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Walmart protests continue!

http://www.workers.org/articles/2014/06/13/walmart-workers-strike-20-cities/

& Predictably NEW YORK CITY continues to hold the line!!

http://www.wallstreetdaily.com/2014/06/10/new-york-refuses-wal-mart-charity/

Shop locally made, small business,american made!!

Shameful & sick are exactly Waltons problem. Suffering from greed, selfishness, & fear.

Peace!

[-] 6 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

Exactly. Avoid these mega stores at all costs. Don't buy stuff you don't need. Stick to the basics.

[-] 2 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

And support striking workers everywhere.

http://www.workers.org/articles/2014/06/13/walmart-workers-strike-20-cities/

Thx for response. I like this fundamental topic up top as often as possible. ,

[-] 8 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

Abby Martin on lack of worker rights in US.

Catch the beginning, around 2:30, of this episode of Abby Martin's "Breaking the Set" where she talks about the pathetic rights of workers here in America. We lead the world with NO mandatory vacation! NO mandatory sick time! NO parental leave! NO paid maternity leave! Yet we work more than any other country in the industrial world! Woo hoo!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yd0tufqI94

The US is one of the ONLY FOUR countries in the ENTIRE world to not provide paid maternity leave!

Go Abby for shedding a light on this atrocity! What kind of sick freaking society do we want to live in? Wake up people and demand a better life! Your country is rich enough! The money is there for all children to be raised properly and for workers to have a life!

And, if you really want to get sick, keep watching this episode to see how Detroit is turning off water on it's most vulnerable citizens who can't afford to pay their looming water bills. And, gee, I thought water was a human right.

[-] 1 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

U.S. govt favors corp (capital) interests over people (labor). We are fighting to take the people govt back so we can pass policies that benefit the people.

Ending wage theft is part of that fight.

http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/07/01/wage-theft/

Peace

[-] 8 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

The UK just passed a bill that requires companies to provide flexible work hours to ALL workers regardless of the reason, so not just to those caring for children or the elderly. LIFE is the reason!

http://www.theguardian.com/law/2014/jun/30/flexible-working-extended-all-employees-uk

"Now, thanks to this long overdue change in the law, employees of all ages will be able to ask their boss to alter the way they work, regardless of whether they have dependents or caring responsibilities."

And, there are calls for a four-day work week in the UK:

"UK needs four-day week to combat stress, says top doctor"

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/01/uk-four-day-week-combat-stress-top-doctor

"When you look at the way we lead our lives, the stress that people are under, the pressure on time and sickness absence, [work-related] mental health is clearly a major issue. We should be moving towards a four-day week because the problem we have in the world of work is you've got a proportion of the population who are working too hard and a proportion that haven't got jobs", Ashton said.....We've got a maldistribution of work."

Amen.

Why are we Americans so neanderthal on workers' rights? Why can't we see how our "work ethic" here in the US is killing our society?

[-] 6 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

thanks for that - I never looked at the points until someone mentioned it to me. doesn't seem relevant to anything.

[-] 5 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

Seems I have annoyed those in power. Most likely by pointing out that our liberal dems are also in the pocket of the rich. Not sure how that could upset radicals??

[-] 7 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

It's ridiculous, but I give you credit for forgetting about the points and posting anyway. What you do here is important.

[-] -2 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Perhaps your confusion on "how that could upset radicals" indicates your assumption is wrong.

No matter.

Topic ain't points.

Maybe this might interest you more than your points.

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/06/30/3454511/walmart-canada-union/

Join us! We need you

Peace, & protest!

[-] 5 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

Hey ms beauty while I am with you on this one philosophically there are some real world problems to be addressed. We started a small solar construction company a couple of years ago. Not really possible for us to provide flexible hours. I also teach tennis for a living. I am leaving in an hour to run a camp 9 to 12 - 16 kids. If those who help me cannot work 9 to 12 then I cannot use them. I do not know the answer here. I have always had my own - very small - business and I think the ability of people to start a business is a really good thing. I have friends insSweden who do what I do and much more difficult there. The freedom for people at the grassroots to see opportunities is good for society. No?

[-] 5 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

Hey flip. The UK has put this in place for companies with 26 or more employees, I believe. I agree with what you say, but hey, where a company can provide flexibility, they should. Too many bosses just like being bossy and controlling, and I feel like in the US they get away with way too much b.s.

Why do you never have points when you start out a comment and I've noticed you are frozen at 5207? What is that about?

[-] 2 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

I guess if a business owner can't run a business without providing decent wages/conditions/benefits then those business "opportunities" serve only the owner & do not serve society.

So then that business owner must be identified as a bad business owner.

The smallest businesses can be handled differently than larger ones, but those details should be handled later. Wouldn't wanna get lost in the weeds, or distracted from the larger goal by specifics we can't possibly resolve.

Ever onward towards minimizing economic inequity.

No?

[-] 1 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Ex-cellent (hadn't read these). It is natural evolution of labor I think.

Less hours/less days will create additional jobs.

And the decades of productivity gains (which workers absorbed) provide for this profound & needed transition.

In extreme work focused countries (USA) I could easily see a week organized with a 4 day week & a 3 day week (for those who need less salary?).

And please remember while I agree with the description of "neanderthal on workers' rights", some of us (you incl) have it right & continue to inform, pressure for these beneficial changes.

Great post

Peace,

[-] 6 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

The Germans have devised some interesting ways to share jobs to lower unemployment levels too.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/15/opinion/work-like-a-german.html?_r=0

We need to get it together here to do things to alleviate suffering and quit adhering to the antiquated and obsolete Protestant work ethic which no longer applies or works in the 21st century.

[-] 3 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

Feel free to join in when you have some real world experience schoolboy and tell your little brother fact less the same - he is sitting next to you - no??

[-] 0 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Ha!! I win!

That you respond with unfounded, irrelevant personal attacks rather than a substantive comment simply illustrates the weakness of your position.

Not indicative of a good leader/business owner.

Therefore you make my point.

And by resorting to insults you in fact prove your own "schoolboy"/schoolyard mentality.

How about some support for better wages/benefits/conditions for fellow decent hard working people?

[-] 4 points by flip (7101) 9 years ago

Didn't realize this was a game. You can win if you think that is important. We all know now that thinking is not what you are good at. I had assumed this forum was about discussing ideas and informing others. How about responding to the first comment. I am a bad business owner because I do not meet your schoolboy ideas. Our workers would disagree. We invested our life savings and have given people jobs and built solar energy plants. The fact that we have to work at certain times and places makes bad. And yes you are a little boy - show me to be incorrect and have an adult discussion. No winners or losers just a simple exchange of ideas. Come on now. Show me

[Removed]

[-] 4 points by beautifulworld (23767) 9 years ago

"Consider the fact that for every dollar of new wealth that has been created in the United States since the financial crisis, 93 cents has gone to the top 1%."

"The result of this process is that we have a global economic system that favors the biggest corporations; it grants them access to ever-cheaper resources and labor around the world. The system bends in favor of maximizing corporate profits at the expense of everything else. That's why of the 175 largest economic entities in the world, 110 are corporations, not countries."

This can and must be reversed if the world is to get back to some kind of decent place where human beings are the priority.

[-] -1 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Agreed. It's why I fight.

beautiful

[-] 5 points by JohnWa (513) 10 years ago

A great start.

A monster that has soaked lifeblood in many ways from toxic food, imported junk, crushed local labor and small business whilst reaping billions.

[-] 4 points by elf3 (4203) 10 years ago

The Waltons implemented the idea of auctioning off American labor to the lowest bidder - they thrived on America's decline...they even blamed us for it. Other business followed suit to be able to compete with this mammoth monopoly they even claimed they had to...and quickly they all profited and began to pay off our system of government to force us along for their ride to the top and our decline, the downfall of the American dream, the loss of quality and meaning and hope. This is not the America I grew up in, sure it was brimming under the surface, the greed was always ready to pounce and the leeches were ready to attach themselves, but we fought back, we had protection in our democratic system and from our regulatory boards in our FREE PRESS and our willingness to dream and care for others and co-operate. But when one monopoly became so large so fast all while destroying the rest of us - we lost control, we couldn't fight them off...the Waltons know this ship is going to sink the economy is going to crash (ask them about the bunker under their compound) they don't care if we all drown in the water... they don't believe in god or humanity - or souls, you can tell this in the way they're just going to live it up until they wink off and pummel as many people as they have to so they can ride the hog until they go. Are we going to let them use us any more? Are we going to let them and their paid politicians and media get away with it?

[-] 4 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

They also spend some of the money they gouge from their customers, to actively suppress unionization.

Or even organization of any kind.

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/leaked-walmart-documents-reveal-propaganda-campaign-fight-workers-attempting

[-] 1 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Petition! Join Demonstrations!

http://other98.com/walmart-go-subsidize-yourself/

FY Consideration

[-] -1 points by turbocharger (1756) 9 years ago

Theres that in depth analysis we have come to expect from you over the years!! lol.

[-] 2 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Do research for depth "facebook meme boy".

I can only wet the appetite.

learn about issues on your own. Make up your own mind without the cloudiness of the partisanship your bankster paymasters push.

[-] 0 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Repubs against "onshoring" ours jobs!

http://peoplesworld.org/steel-workers-campaign-to-bring-outsourced-jobs-home/

Retire ALL pols against bringing jobs home!

[-] -1 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Walmart protests continue by our fellow workers around the world.

http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2014/07/19/labo-j19.html

Keep their/our struggle at the top of our agenda!

[-] -1 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago
[-] 0 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago
[-] 0 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Shop your politics

http://shopyourpolitics.com/republican-leaning

Is that partisan?

[-] -1 points by 99nproud (2697) 9 years ago

Crashin Walmarts party

http://inthesetimes.com/article/16906/our_walmart_crashes_the_party

increasing the pressure everywhere, all the time

[-] 1 points by BradB (2693) from Washington, DC 9 years ago

Court rules Wal-Mart must compensate workers

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Canada's Supreme Court ruled Friday that Wal-Mart must compensate former workers at a Quebec store that was closed after they voted to become the first Wal-Mart store in North America to unionize.

The high court ruled in 2009 that Wal-Mart was entitled to close the store in Jonquiere in 2005, seven months after workers voted to unionize. But the workers filed a new case that said Wal-Mart contravened a section of Quebec labor law, which says working conditions must not be altered in any way, shape or form during a unionization process.

The court ruled in a five-to-two decision that the world's largest retailer modified working conditions for the employees without a valid reason when it shut down. The court ruled an arbiter will determine appropriate reparations, possibly with damages and interest. The store never re-opened.

more>>> http://finance.yahoo.com/news/court-rules-wal-mart-must-compensate-workers-202258976--finance.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory

[-] 1 points by twerkie2 (-13) from Palmas, TO 10 years ago

Shame on you if you shop at walmart

[-] -1 points by anerioi (0) 9 years ago

Sounds like a bunch of communist sympathizers to me. Move to Cuba. Seriously - I really liked the graph of how our incomes have dropped as union membership has declined. The rhetoric against protecting our rights as workers has been terrible. Like my opening comments. Reagan really screwed us over.

[-] -3 points by chilidip (-34) 9 years ago

Thank God for Wal Mart. The number one shopping choice of African Americans and the poor. They save them more money than any government program EVER could.

However they are despised by arrogant, self centered bourgeoisie liberals who think they know what's best for the poor. Union dues are more important to the liberal elitists than low prices for food, and medicine,