Senators blast Wal-Mart “trampling” workers’ rights as dozens of activists are arrested on Black Fri

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.salon.com/2013/11/29/senators_blast_wal_mart_trampling_workers_rights_as_dozens_of_activists_are_arrested_on_black_friday/

Friday, Nov 29, 2013 01:50 PM CST

“It is time that Walmart pays its workers a fair wage and stops trampling on their rights," say Sherrod Brown et al

Josh Eidelson

At least 55 total people have been arrested in Black Friday Wal-Mart protests, according to organizers. Those arrests, which came amid a statement of support from a handful of congressional Democrats and plans for 1,500 total protests, took place at civil disobedience actions in Ontario, California; Arlington, Virginia; Chicago; Dallas; and Secaucus, New Jersey. Arrests were also expected at mid-day demonstrations in St. Paul, Sacramento, and Seattle, and at a Bay Area rally at 3 PM PST.

“I have to look at my ancestors, and those who joined in civil rights marches, walks, sit-ins, and they did civil disobediences for us,” Chicago employee Myron Byrd told Salon prior to being arrested. He said his reaction when watching arrests at a prior protest was “Wow, this reminds me of the sit-in days – you know, when my mom and them used to talk about in the sixties.” Byrd added that the action was “for the workers who may stand, and most of them [who] cannot stand. I’m sacrificing myself along with others to do this to show Wal-Mart that hey, I’m not afraid, they not afraid, we not afraid.”

In a statement e-mailed Friday afternoon, Wal-Mart Vice President David Tovar said, “We expect some demonstrations at our stores today, although far fewer than what our critics are claiming and with hardly any actual Walmart associates participating.” He said the company’s “full-time and part-time associates” average “close to $12.00 an hour” and that while the company will “always” have “entry-level jobs,” “The real issue isn’t where you start. It’s where you can go once you’ve started.” OUR Walmart has seized on a company presentation to Goldman Sachs which touted annual income of at least $25,000 for “over 475,000” U.S. employees as an implicit admission that the majority of Wal-Mart’s 1.3 million US employees make less.

FULL story at link.

[Eleanors38]

1. "Full time and part time average close to $12 an hour."

With a straight face, Malwart says that. That rotten outfit Defines entry level.

[Laelth]

2. Here are the politicians involved, according to the article.

Democratic Senators Sherrod Brown and Ed Markey, and House members Jan Schakowsky, Judy Chu, William Lacy Clay, Gwen Moore, and Jim McDermott also voiced their support in a Friday statement, saying “It is time that Walmart pays its workers a fair wage and stops trampling on their rights.” The Democrats charged that the company “has systematically and illegally retaliated against workers who have had the courage to stand up to improve conditions.”

k&r for labor.

-Laelth

[Mass]

3. Good to see Markey there. Two of my favorite senators.\nt

[freshwest]

4. K & R for visibility. Good response, they need to keep pushing locally and in D.C.