Human Rights Watch: Wal-Mart Denies Basic Workers’ Rights

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/05/01/human-rights-watch-wal-mart-denies-basic-workers-rights/

Human Rights Watch: Wal-Mart Denies Basic Workers’ Rights

by James Parks, May 1, 2007

U.S. workers are being denied the freedom to form unions and to live a more secure and better life by weak labor laws and rabidly anti-union employers such as Wal-Mart. While many American companies take advantage of our nation’s labor laws to prevent workers from joining a union, Wal-Mart stands out for the sheer magnitude and aggressiveness of its anti-union activity, according to a report released today by Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Discounting Rights: Wal-Mart’s Violation of U.S. Workers’ Right to Freedom of Association says many of Wal-Mart’s anti-union tactics are legal, but when combined, they prevent workers from freely deciding to join a union. Some of the giant retailer’s actions violate weak labor laws, HRW says. The report recommends passage of the Employee Free Choice Act as a key way to improve protections for workers at Wal-Mart and across the country. Says Carol Pier, senior researcher for HRW:

Wal-Mart workers have virtually no chance to organize because they’re up against unfair U.S. labor laws and a giant company that will do just about anything to keep unions out. The one-two punch devastates workers’ right to form and join unions.

The report says it is no accident that none of the employees of the nation’s largest employer—1.3 million workers in nearly 4,000 stores—are represented by a union. The company begins to indoctrinate workers and managers against unions from the first day on the job, HRW says. HRW cites the following examples demonstrating how Wal-Mart keeps unions out:

* Managers receive explicit instructions on keeping out unions, including a “Manager’s Toolbox,” a self-described guide for managers on “how to remain union free in the event union organizers choose your facility as their next target.”
* Managers are required to report to Wal-Mart’s Union Hotline if employees try to form a union. The company then dispatches its Labor Relations Team to thwart the employees’ decision.
* Employees trying to form a union are “strongly urged to attend” captive audience meetings where unions are bashed.
* Wal-Mart has sent managers to illegally spy on workers. According to former workers and managers at one store, the company ordered surveillance cameras to monitor union supporters.


FULL article at link.