| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 11, 2002 |
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Wal-Mart Faces Federal Charges for Widespread Violations of Worker Rights Las Vegas, NV, The National Labor Relations Board charged Wal-Mart with violating federal law by coercing, intimidating and retaliating against its employees who were seeking a voice on the job with United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Local 711. The Board complaint charges that Wal-Mart's illegal actions interfered with employees' right to hold a free and fair election at the Sam's Club store on Spring Mountain Road in Las Vegas. The Board blocked the union election that was scheduled for November 29th and 30th, 2001 due to the company's relentless, illegal activity to silence its workers' voices. After investigating the charges, the Board found ample evidence to prosecute Wal-Mart for denying workers their federal right to organize for union representation free from intimidation, coercion and harassment. The Board complaint combined a year's worth of violations into a consolidated complaint. A hearing is set for June 25, 2002. Wal-Mart was on trial in Las Vegas before an Administrative Law Judge of the NLRB for massive labor law violations in both Wal-Mart stores, including illegal termination and discipline of pro-union employees. The Board cites Wal-Mart managers for:
"All we want is a fair and free election," said Sam's Club worker Alan Peto. "But the company refuses to take their chances on fair and free. They prefer to subvert the basic principle of American democracy, everyone's right to make up their own minds without threats, promises, or intimidation." The UFCW is the largest organization of retail workers in North America, with 1.4 million members. Workers at retail food industry leaders such as Kroger and Safeway are members of the UFCW. |
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