Wake-Up Wal-Mart Blog: America Needs to Know

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America Needs to Know

Walmart workers are losing ground in the workplace and America needs to know.
Today, a new mini-documentary was released by Walmart Workers for Change. In it, real Walmart associates speak out against the poverty wages, unaffordable healthcare, and employee intimidation that have become "normal" at Walmart.

These brave Walmart workers have stood up to the most powerful retailer in America for one reason--they have seen the way Walmart works and believe something has to change. After you watch their mini-documentary, we know you will agree with them.

Today, we are asking you to support this new cause. Already, thousands of Walmart employees have joined Walmart Workers for Change. They're fighting for better wages, better healthcare, and representation in the workplace. But, they can not win their fight for a better workplace unless America gets to know the real Walmart. For that, they need you.

Let these Walmart associates know you've got their backs. Watch the new mini-documentary, send it to your friends, and Add your signature to the growing list of Walmart activists who support rights in the workplace for hard working Walmart employees.

Help spread the new mini-documentary: show your support for American Walmart workers

Walmart Workers for Change is fighting for a new law before Congress that would give 1.4 million Walmart workers a real chance for representation in the workplace, without the company's usual threats and harassment. We've joined with them to spread the word about the Employee Free Choice Act and the promise it holds for American Walmart workers.

For years, Walmart's anti-union drives have exploited America's soft labor laws, often breaking them outright. The results of these anti-worker policies are clear -- stagnating wages, sub-par benefits and an increasingly unfriendly workplace. All at a time when Walmart and the Walton family are benefiting from the sagging economy and making record profits.

Workers need a process that will guarantee their right to a voice in the workplace. They need to know that when a majority of their coworkers want to exercise their right to representation, they will get it. They need guaranteed contracts and tough penalties when Bentonville illegally intimidates and harasses them. Walmart workers need the Employee Free Choice Act.

Most of all, Walmart workers need you. Let America know that you support the mission of Walmart Workers for Change. Watch their new documentary and tell your friends.

Put Walmart workers back in the middle class: Watch the mini-documentary and sign the petition today.

It's time America met the real Walmart. Take action today.

Thanks for all that you do,

The Team
WakeUpWalMart.com

Posted by Taylor - April 24, 2009 10:00 AM - Action

Comments

The Employee Free Choice Act (or the Employee No Choice Act) puts the threats and harrassment in the hands of the union organizers. Don't be naive about where this legislation leads. This is just a back door approach to growing private sector unions in an increasingly non-union society.
Have a look at what ultra-liberal Demmocrat Sen. George McGovern has to say about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afjp4Cx-3W0

Posted by tc - April 27, 2009 11:23 AM

TC,

please provide examples of union organizers threatening or intimidating workers. You are simply playing on stereotypes of unions being connected with the mob. Guess what, they're not any more.

Also, what coercive power does the union have? Employers have a workers livelihood and a workers money to threaten them with. What can a union organizer do?

Posted by BackStageLeftist - April 27, 2009 03:58 PM

You asked.
Why don't you Google the Dana Corporation whose employees successfully sued to decertify the union after they were strongarmed into it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOJEXi8YH2Q&feature=related

http://www.heritage.org/research/Labor/bg2027.cfm
http://www.uschamber.com/wfi/efca_testimony.htm
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/25/card-check-process-used-union-organizers-ignites-fury-indiana-plant/

Posted by tc - April 27, 2009 05:46 PM

Alright TC, I'll take your "evidence" one piece at a time.

The Heritage site has 2 examples of "Threats and Intimidation." The first is a threatening remark by an EMPLOYEE, not a union organizer. The other is hardly either threatening or intimidating... and the fact that the very conservative Heritage Foundation could come up with only one example of "threats and intimidation" is telling.

The US Chamber of Commerce link has several people saying they believe Unions will use intimidation if Card Check is passed, but that's not evidence. I can say I believe aliens are going to land on Earth tomorrow...it doesn't make it true.

As for the Dana plant, some of the workers seemed to be annoyed that organizers were so persistent, but it hardly sounded like harassment or intimidation despite what Fox "News" says. Fox said that organizers came to people's houses and even followed them to their cars. OH NOES! NOT THEIR CARS!!!

Look, when a union organizer goes to a plant or a store because a worker there has expressed interest in a union, they don't have a full list of employees or access to them the way their employer might. They can't just stroll in and talk to people. They have to catch people after work or at their homes in order to even talk to them. And they have to build up a list of contacts. Persistence isn't intimidation, it's a necessity.

So to sum up your "evidence" you've provided exactly one minor example of what might be called "intimidation". Is this a pattern? Is this a wide spread pattern? Or is this conservatives spreading a stereotype to play on people's fears and assumptions?

My last point is this: under current law, organizers already ask employees to sign cards and so, presumably, know who is for and against the union. Why would EFCA change that so dramatically?

Posted by BackStageLeftist - April 28, 2009 11:38 AM

You seem to be very dismissive when it comes to facts.
To answer your last question - "My last point is this: under current law, organizers already ask employees to sign cards and so, presumably, know who is for and against the union. Why would EFCA change that so dramatically?"

What is different is that if 51% of the employees sign the cards then no secret ballot will be taken. Many people will sign in public just to avoid the hassle of dealing with union organizers and pro-union coworkers. The secret ballot has always been where "the rubber meets the road". That out will no longer be afforded those who really don't want a union but cave to intimidation in public.
You are being very intellectually dishonest if you believe that intimidation doesn't take place.

Posted by tc - April 28, 2009 02:48 PM

First of all, I still haven't seen any real evidence that union representatives regularly use intimidation and threats in their organizing campaigns. I've heard lots of people who have no first hand interaction with unions or organizers say they believe unions intimidate people to build their case against EFCA, but that DOESN'T MAKE IT TRUE.

It's not being "intellectually dishonest" it's demanding proof, which, in the end, is far more intellectually honest.

And since we're on the subject of secret ballots, if you're so concerned with intimidation of workers, why aren't you outraged over employers who threaten, coerce, fire, and otherwise intimidate their workers in to voting against unions.

Posted by BackStageLeftist - April 28, 2009 03:11 PM

What more proof do you need? Go to YouTube and view former union organizers as they bare their souls regarding strongarm tactics. The evidence is there whether you choose to see it or believe it.
Union intimidation is more than just a stereotype. Have a look at this:
http://www.nrtw.org/blog/video-union-intimidation-action

Instead of trying to cite example after example I would ask you to Google the words union intimidation and look at the results. Unions have earned a reputation for this kind of behavior and it has only gotten worse as they lose membership.

I would be upset if employers were to threaten employees who want to organize. If found guilty of this practice they should be punished.

It's pretty obvious that there is no way to have an honest discussion of this.

Posted by tc - April 28, 2009 04:05 PM

Look, I'm perfectly willing to admit that there are probably some union organizers who intimidate workers in to signing cards. But I HAVE done some research and there's nothing there that suggests it is a serious problem. The sites you've provided are all either very conservative or explicitly anti-union. The video you provided talks about union MEMBERS during a strike, not union organizers during an organizing drive.

Posted by BackStageLeftist - April 28, 2009 04:31 PM

I got Terminated from Sam's Club 6625 on August the 28 2002 location at 12920 foothill Bl San Feranado Ca 91340 because I was rude to Member like I hit the Member with a Basket and call Her name in August the 26 2002 because it is too hot in the San Feranado Valley Ca they won't let Me apologize to the Member they won't rehire Me back if they rehire Me back the Member will sue Sam's Club if they rehire Me back I am very sorry I don't mean be rude to Member because it is too hot in the San Feranado Valley Ca I promise I won't be rude to Member no more I promise I won't hit the Member and not call Her name no more I promise I will apologize to the Member I am very sorry I don't mean being rude to You like I hit You with a Basket and call You name because it is too hot in the San Feranado Valley Ca and I promise to the Member I won't hit You with a Basket and not call You name no more and I will respect You and be Polite to You I will do My work with respect to Member Sam's Club Phone number is 818-365-7710

Posted by Tom Noonan - April 28, 2009 04:45 PM

I cant even comment on anything but this Tom Noonan guy......you hit someone with a basket and you think you should be employed? Yeah, don't think so.

Posted by itdoesntmatter - April 28, 2009 09:51 PM

itdoesntmatter
I was making $10.85/hour so i can support Myself Paul Kingburg terminated Me because I was rude to Member that couse Wal Mart low Wal Mart worker waged in summer 2005

Posted by Tom Noonan - April 29, 2009 12:35 PM

TOM

so you are against walmart because you got fired from your job for being rude and hitting her with a basket. I'm sorry, but you lost your job. A union wouldn't have saved you.....get on with it

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