| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 18, 2002 |
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Mass Movement Challenges Mass Retailer Wal-Mart Faces Activist Coalition on Issues From Wages to Parking Lot Security Wal-Mart--as the country's largest corporation, retailer and employer--is where America shops and works. The local Wal-Mart is a fixture of the community and increasingly becoming the new American Town Square. Is America's store living up to America's values? Today, leaders of organizations representing workers, consumers, students, and faith announced a mass movement of Wal-Mart workers, shoppers and neighbors, People's Campaign-Justice @ Wal-Mart--that is demanding that the retail giant adhere to a six-point agenda that would transform Wal-Mart into a positive force for workers, families and communities. "The People's Campaign is a national catalyst for local action--grassroots community coalitions in every state, city, town, village, and neighborhood. The people's campaign is America rising--re-asserting its values--providing for its families and, protecting its communities," said Doug Dority, International President of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW). Statement of UFCW International President Doug Dority Grassroots actions on November 21, 2002 will launch the movement to hold Wal- Mart accountable to community demands. More than 100 public protests and events will be held in nearly every state. A full list of planned events and endorsers are available by logging on to: www.walmartdayofaction.com AFL-CIO President John Sweeney announced the 13-million member labor federation's endorsement of the People's Campaign and called on Wal-Mart to be a responsible corporate citizen. "If every company in America decided this was the right way to do business, this nation would be bankrupt," said Sweeney. Former Wal-Mart worker and manager Gretchen Adams said, "Wal-Mart wages war on its workers who want to stand up for a voice on the job. Wal-Mart must live up to America's values of fairness and democracy by respecting its workers and paying them the wages they deserve." Adams is party to a groundbreaking national class-action lawsuit against Wal-Mart for gender discrimination. The National Organization for Women (NOW) endorsed the People's Campaign. NOW President Kim Gandy said, "Women workers are the backbone of the retail industry and we are not going to stand by and let the world's largest retailer treat women like second-class citizens. It's illegal and un-American." The National Day of Acton events will push the People's Campaign six-point agenda in communities across the country. Wal-Mart must provide America with:
Wal-Mart workers, consumers and neighbors are joined by organizations representing the concerns of a broad cross-section of America. Endorsers include: UFCW, AFL-CIO, NOW, National Baptist Convention-USA, Inc. Labor Division, Southern Christian Leadership Campaign, National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice (NICWJ), Jobs with Justice, Alliance for Retired Americans, United Students against Sweatshops and a host of other organizations. A complete list of sponsors is available at www.walmartdayofaction.com "My life was destroyed in one day at a Wal-Mart when falling merchandise left me disabled. Wal-Mart responded with, settle or sue and then walked away. I'll spend the rest of my life fighting for justice at Wal-Mart and I am proud to join the People's Campaign. We are demanding that the corporate giant protects its customers and workers and takes responsibility for the harm it inflicts on people's lives," said Candice Hoke, founder of www.walmartsurvivor.com. Mark Harrison of the NICWJ reminded Wal-Mart that "to whom much is given, much is expected." Harrison said, "Wal-Mart is not an ordinary company. It is a trend setter and a pioneer. We call upon Wal-Mart to become an ethical leader, paving the way for family wages and benefits, good jobs and challenging sweatshops. Wal-Mart has been given much. Much is expected." |
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