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Corporate Responsibility, Economic Justice, In the News, Retail, UFCW Industries, UFCW Values, Walmart

Walmart Worker Reacts to Weak Q2 Earnings Report

Aug 16, 2013

Reposted from Making Change at Walmart

 

9511041369_8a4f189592_zWalmart’s second quarter sales report shows the continuation of negative same store sales. In response, OUR Walmart member Larry Born, who has worked at Walmart in Crestwood, IL for over three years, issued the following statement:

“Today’s numbers make it clear that Walmart’s labor practices aren’t just hurting workers like me—they’re also hurting business. Instead of listening to employees who raise concerns about working conditions and their impact on sales and the company’s reputation, Walmart has tried to suppress our fundamental right to speak out for better jobs by firing and disciplining many of us who simply want what’s best for our families and for the company.

“Now major investors are divesting from the company as a direct result of its labor practices, and Walmart’s urban expansion efforts are facing resistance from cities like Washington, DC that don’t want to bring Walmart values into their communities. Until Walmart shows a real commitment to creating good jobs that can support a family and strengthen local economies, the company will continue to face roadblocks in this key part of its business strategy.

“Similarly, while associates struggle to support their families as a result of erratic and inadequate hours, Walmart is receiving the lowest customer satisfaction scores compared to other supermarkets,thanks to the empty shelves and long checkout lines caused by understaffing. At the international level, costs related to Walmart’s violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act are sky-high, and the company’s reputation with the public and with investors has been seriously damaged by its refusal to join other retailers in committing to improve safety at supplier factories in Bangladesh, where Walmart was found to have procured clothing as recently as 2012 in the factory collapse that killed over 1000 garment workers.

“If Walmart wants to reverse these trends, the company should start by listening to its associates. With $16 billion in profits every year, Walmart can easily afford to increase pay and access to full-time hours so that we can make our stores great places to shop and so that every Walmart worker can support their family—without relying on public assistance. These commonsense changes will help repair the company’s image, lift its bottom-line, and strengthen our entire economy.”

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER: UFCW and OUR Walmart have the purpose of helping Wal-Mart employees as individuals or groups in their dealings with Wal-Mart over labor rights and standards and their efforts to have Wal-Mart publicly commit to adhering to labor rights and standards. UFCW and OUR Walmart have no intent to have Walmart recognize or bargain with UFCW or OUR Walmart as the representative of Walmart employees.

Press Releases, Retail, UFCW Industries, UFCW Values, Walmart, Workplace Safety & Health

OUR Walmart Statement on OSHA Settlement with Walmart

Aug 07, 2013

UFCWnewsWashington, DC- Today, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it has reached a settlement with Walmart on a large number of repeated and serious worker safety violations including a lack of proper training on handling of hazardous chemicals and dangerous conditions related to poorly maintained equipment. In response, OUR Walmart members issued the following statement:

“The national settlement reached today between OSHA and Walmart resolves the highest penalties any individual Walmart store has ever faced as a result of health and safety violations – over $350,000. The problems detailed in the settlement are issues we have been raising for years, but it’s clear that the company has consistently failed to listen to our concerns, let alone address them.

“This is just the latest indication of Walmart’s malfeasance throughout the supply chain, and these serious problems represent a major danger to workers, the environment, and the company’s future. As workers we routinely face inadequate fire safety measures, including blocked fire exits, and do not receive proper training on how to safely handle hazardous chemicals. Poorly maintained equipment, including balers and compactors, represent another hazard, made worse because these machines often lack appropriate mechanisms to ensure worker safety.

“We like our jobs and want what’s best for the company. We hope that today’s settlement sends a message to Walmart that cutting corners on safety comes at great costs, not just to employees, but also to the company.  Moreover, Walmart needs to go beyond the settlement, start listening to its workers, and investigate its stores throughout the country to see if these violations are widespread and where they find violations, fix them. These issues are about the very basic right employees have to work in safe environments.”

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER: UFCW and OUR Walmart have the purpose of helping Wal-Mart employees as individuals or groups in their dealings with Wal-Mart over labor rights and standards and their efforts to have Wal-Mart publically commit to adhering to labor rights and standards. UFCW and OUR Walmart have no intent to have Walmart recognize or bargain with UFCW or OUR Walmart as the representative of Walmart employees.

 

 

STATEMENT FROM STACY MITCHELL ON OSHA SETTLEMENT WITH WALMART

In response to today’s settlement, Institute for Local Self Reliance senior researcher Stacy Mitchell issued the following statement:

“Walmart’s negligence in managing hazardous chemicals is yet another illustration of its disregard for the environment and the health of workers and communities. While Walmart publicizes its solar installations, behind the scenes, the company is continuing to cut corners and harm the environment throughout its operations and supply chain.”

 

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Corporate Responsibility, Economic Justice, Retail, UFCW Industries, UFCW Values, Walmart

Workers, Community Escalate Calls on Walmart to Reinstate Illegally Fired Workers During Week of National Actions

Jul 30, 2013

Reposted from Making Change at Walmart

Last week, Walmart workers joined by community members from throughout the nation escalated its calls on Walmart to reinstate the illegally fired Walmart employees who went on a legally protected unfair labor practice strike to call on Walmart to end the illegal violation of employee’s labor rights and freedom of speech.

DSC_0910In Southern California, more than 100 protestors demonstrated in front of the Walmart store in Lakewood, California, while a delegation of clergy members and illegally fired Walmart workers talked to management at that store calling on them to reinstate Walmart employees who were unfairly fired for going on strike. All across the US, similar actions took place during the week including New York, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Washington DC, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Last month, members of the worker-led Organization United for Respect at Walmart (OUR Walmart) held a nationwide strike and “Ride for Respect” caravan protesting Walmart’s unfair labor practices (ULP), which took them on a bus ride to Walmart’s headquarters in Arkansas, leading up to Walmart’s June annual shareholder meeting. While in Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart workers protested outside of the company’s headquarters calling for an end to its attempt to silence workers.

In response Walmart has illegally disciplined or fired more than 60 Walmart workers. Workers refuse to be silenced and continue to call for change at the world’s largest private employer.

You can see photos of the week’s events at ChangeWalmart.Tumblr.com