FAIL… Only 50 Wal-Mart Employees Joined Nation-wide Union Protests

[DAN_BRONCO_FAN]

Posted by Jim Hoft on Friday, November 23, 2012, 6:10 PM


Only 50 Wal-Mart employees joined in on the nation-wide Black Friday union protests.
It was a complete failure – although the media probably won’t report it that way.

And it was a record day for Wal-Mart!




Wal-Mart claimed today that the much-hyped Black Friday protests at the non-union retail giant fizzled out, with only 50 associates – their term for employees – taking part. The United Food and Commercial Workers union, which organized the protests, disputed that figure though. It said “hundreds and hundreds” joined in at events across the country. The Washington Examiner could not find an independent estimate for the protests.

Even assuming the UFCW figure is correct, that is pretty small given that Wal-Mart is the nation’s largest employer, with 1.4 million people working at its stores. Wal-Mart also claimed at least 10 million transactions since its stores opened late Thursday, which would make 2012 its best Black Friday ever.

The UFCW, whose members mainly work for Wal-Mart’s competitors, has long battled the retail giant. It backed it a now-defunct non-profit group called Wake-Up Walmart, which attacked the retailer. More recently, it has backed groups called OUR Walmart and Making Change at Walmart.

Last week, Wal-Mart filed an unfair practices claim against UFCW with the National Labor Relations Board, claiming the group’s protests were disrupting its business. Labor law prevents unions from picketing for more that 30 days without filing a petition to represent its members.

UFCW had hoped that protests and staff walk-outs on Black Friday would paralyze the retailer and draw media attention. It claimed to have events in 46 states including Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Wisconsin, Chicago, and Washington DC. Dan Schlademan, director of Making Change at Walmart, told the website Raw Story “hundreds and hundreds” of workers took part. On Twitter, the company posted clips and video from various events.

In a statement, Wal-Mart responded:

“Only 26 protests occurred at stores last night and many of them did not include any Walmart associates.” In addition, the company did not experience the walk-offs that were promised by the UFCW. “We estimate that less than 50 associates participated in the protest nationwide. In fact, this year, roughly the same number of associates missed their scheduled shift as last year,” [CEO Bill] Simon said.

The press release then pointed to some of the reasons people may have been disinclined to walk off.

Walmart associates receive a 10 percent discount on general merchandise bought at Walmart stores all year long. Earlier this holiday season, the company rewarded associates with a special holiday discount of 10 percent off most food items from November 9 to January 1 to help make the holidays for its associates and their families even more special.

Also, to recognize those associates who helped serve customers during its Black Friday events, the company is providing an additional 10 percent discount on an entire basket of goods. Eligible associates who helped execute Walmart’s Black Friday events will also receive holiday pay.

On Twitter, Wal-Mart said: “The number of protests being reported by the UFCW are grossly exaggerated & prove that this group doesn’t speak for our 1.3M Walmart assocs.”

UPDATE: The Service Employees International Union President Mary Kay Henry claimed in a press release emailed to reporters that “thousands” of Wal-Mart employees had walked off the job today. In the statement, which is not currently online, she said:

Today’s protests at Walmart stores across the country are a reminder of the enormous power of working people uniting to demand a better future with a living wage, affordable healthcare and respect on the job. From this day on, ‘Black Friday’ should be remembered as a pivotal day for working people at Walmart and everywhere.


http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012...s-today-video/



http://washingtonexaminer.com/wal-ma...2#.ULElie8hPSw

[DAN_BRONCO_FAN]

well guess most walmart employees are happy enough to stay on the job

[Rohirrim]

I'm sure it has much more to do with the fear than it does with satisfaction.

[DAN_BRONCO_FAN]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

I'm sure it has much more to do with the fear than it does with satisfaction.

fear of what there is plenty of jobs around they can always quit and work some place else now can they

[peacepipe]

Originally Posted by DAN_BRONCO_FAN

fear of what there is plenty of jobs around they can always quit and work some place else now can they

Why do that when you can go union right where your at.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by DAN_BRONCO_FAN

fear of what there is plenty of jobs around they can always quit and work some place else now can they

Riiiiiiiiiiight - working at Wal-Mart is so great they all decided to pass on better opportunities elsewhere.

You're a genius.

[Play2win]

You would think that working at Walmart, would be your absolute last option.

[cutthemdown]

I ahve a friend who works part time at one in Ariz. He works in sporting goods, they sell guns there. I always trip out could you imagine if calif walmarts sold rifles etc etc?

He loves the 10% because he buys lots of guns and ammo. The 10% off is a pretty good thing, I bet their employees take advantage of that a lot.

Really though the union BS is just that. They only want those 1.4 million workers for their union dues, it has nothing to do with fairness or working conditions anymore.

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by DAN_BRONCO_FAN

fear of what there is plenty of jobs around they can always quit and work some place else now can they

English, mother ****er. Do you speak it?

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Bad news for Spammer Dan and the rest of the anti-democracy/pro-corporatocracy wingnuts...

Walmart Strikers Energized By Large Turnouts Nationwide

(Images/video)

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/11...e-imagesvideo/

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

English, mother ****er. Do you speak it?

He's an embarrassment, isn't he?

Right-wingers are like America's "Cousin Eddie."

[cutthemdown]

I wonder if Walmart will just fire the ones who participated? Or just let them come back to work and maybe hope it dies down? I read the articles but none said what walmarts plan was for the few hundred that participated. Did Walmart say they could keep jobs?

[lonestar]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

English, mother ****er. Do you speak it?

what is the problem with the far left thinking that civility is a lost art..

It is so typical of the far left democrat/liberal/socialist/commies/progressives ( take your pick) to call names and/or change the subject.

That said not everyone is an English professor that post here.

Every forum I have ever been on is informal and only rarely had a grammar cop, or spelling Nazi always pissing and moaning about members posts..

Yet here it seems everyone from the far left democrat/liberal/socialist/commies/progressives has to weigh in on it..

[lonestar]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

I wonder if Walmart will just fire the ones who participated? Or just let them come back to work and maybe hope it dies down? I read the articles but none said what walmarts plan was for the few hundred that participated. Did Walmart say they could keep jobs?

I'd guess that they would look at the employees work history and what kind of worker he/she is.. If they are habitual slackers they would be gone.. It would be just the tip of the ice berg to keep a moron employed..

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by Drunk idiot kicker

You would think that working at Walmart, would be your absolute last option.

Not a bad place to get your first job, get some experience. Or not bad if say you need extra money but can't commit to anything bigger because of a different job. They offer hours at night, part time work etc so there is some appeal for someone who just wants to work nights for a short time to get extra money.

It's ridiculous to blame Walmart for how they do business. Walmart is dirt cheap prices, the lowest wages, they go hand in hand. No one I know ever goes to Walmart we are middle class we shop at Target ! Just kidding they are all the same. Discount stores shouldnt be counted on by the left to provide career worthy jobs people get healthcare at and raise a family.

If Walmart is as good as you can do because of laziness, skill level, ignorance, whatever then you shouldn't have a family anyways. You can use the 150 bucks a month you get from walmart to rent a room somewhere.

Sorry but some people just aren't worth more the 8 bucks an hour, 9 etc. Some at Walmart are worth more, they will move on to better paying jobs in the future as they gain education or experience.

You know go down to a place that is union and get a job if they pay more.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by lonestar

what is the problem with the far left thinking that civility is a lost art..

It is so typical of the far left democrat/liberal/socialist/commies/progressives ( take your pick) to call names and/or change the subject.

That said not everyone is an English professor that post here.

Every forum I have ever been on is informal and only rarely had a grammar cop, or spelling Nazi always pissing and moaning about members posts..

Yet here it seems everyone from the far left democrat/liberal/socialist/commies/progressives has to weigh in on it..

Goober-to-English Translation:

Proper English isn't important to the average right-wing dick neck.......except when he's busting some poor immigrant's chops.

[myMind]

The OP article/video should check their math.

[DAN_BRONCO_FAN]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

English, mother ****er. Do you speak it?

if walmart is sooo ****ty why are they working there why not get a union job and pay union dues.
works so well for my buddy in indy

[DAN_BRONCO_FAN]

gee love to get people soo gosh darn angry and dey all hates me now i might cry
: : : : : : <----tears of sadness i hopes no wun else sayz bad things to me i might just cut muh self lmfao

[DAN_BRONCO_FAN]

Originally Posted by L.A. BRONCOS FAN

Riiiiiiiiiiight - working at Wal-Mart is so great they all decided to pass on better opportunities elsewhere.

You're a genius.

thank you thank you i know i am a genius you finally see that i am btw my real name is lex, lex luther

[cutthemdown]

What a bunch of BS trying to call someone out for some grammar BS. It's BS because when its a poster you like Roh you don't do that. Two faced much?

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by Drunk idiot kicker

You would think that working at Walmart, would be your absolute last option.

For retirees, underemployed, and single parents it probably is.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by Odysseus

For retirees, underemployed, and single parents it probably is.

So without Walmart they would be unemployed right?

[cutthemdown]

You pick on a business that is low skill, discount retailer, then blame them for poor people not making enough money. I just don't get that. I know some young paralegals with 2 yrs school, 1 full yr interning at a law office or for PD, or DA etc, that only make 14 bucks an hour. it's a tough job and you have to be smart. Eventually you can make 40-45 grand with rare exceptions at super big firms. Most of those paralegals though are law school graduates that could not pass the bar and just give up.

Seriously though you have a lot of stress for that 14-20 bucks an hour. 8-9 bucks is fair for a walmart job. In fact its more then fair.

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

So without Walmart they would be unemployed right?

Walmart exists because of the premise of your logic. The only way anything that is stated will be clear to you is if you were willing to look at an alternative way of doing business. If you limit the options to take it or leave it then the only person you deceive is yourself. There are other choices but you are unable, unwilling, or incapable of open discussion.

I think without WalMart there would be something else. My point, which you missed, was a discussion about what else should there be. The only creativity that conservatives have lately is in creating new terminology for the word fear. What if the larger discussion had no fear, blame or anger. What would we talk about then?