| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 23, 2001 |
|
|
Sam's Club Workers and UFCW Local 711 File for Election
The workers at the Sam's Club (a division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.) on Spring Mountain and Rainbow in Las Vegas Nevada have signed up a majority of their co-workers to have the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union Local 711 to represent them. Since October 2000, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club workers have been organizing for UFCW representation in Las Vegas. During this time Wal-Mart has beefed up its union-busting department dramatically, conducted mandatory anti-union meetings, interrogated workers, forced workers to watch over eight hours of anti-union videos and much more. Sam's Club 6382 represents the first of many stores in Las Vegas expected to file a petition for an election. The campaign in Las Vegas has introduced new labor organizing methods like a bi-weekly talk radio show, a fully featured website www.walmartworkerslv.com run by the workers, online authorization cards and a strong networking system. Wal-Mart workers in Las Vegas want union representation because they earn an estimated $3-6 less than their union counterparts and have to pay for their medical insurance and benefits. Many UFCW-represented workers get 100% employer-paid medical and benefits. UFCW Local 711 union members earn $15-16 after completing 1-2 years of work (2000 hours total) and receive regular pay raises while Wal- Mart workers typically start off at $7-8 per hour and receive from 0 to 50 cent raises every year if they meet a highly-subjective qualification. Many Wal-Mart workers cannot afford the medical insurance which costs nearly $40 per month for a single person, plus an annual $350 deductible. Wal-Mart also has a $6 bi weekly medical plan but requires employees to pay over $1000 in an out-of- pocket deductible. The U.S. government requires workers and the union of their choice to have at least 30% of their co-workers sign 'union authorization cards' in order to file for a National Labor Relations Board election. During an election, eligible workers at the location will be able to vote 'for' or 'against' the petitioning Union. When a union is voted in by 50% plus one person both the company and union sit down for negotiations to form a mutually-beneficial contract for the workers and to improve workplace conditions. |
|
 |
 |
