| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 2002 |
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WAL-MART'S WAR ON WORKERS: FRONTLINE REPORT FROM SOUTH CAROLINA AND TEXAS Giant Retailer Faces New Labor Board Complaints for Illegally Sabotaging Union Election Wal-Mart Charged for Refusing to Bargain in Jacksonville, Texas Wal-Mart's war on its workers claimed its latest victims in Aiken, South Carolina where the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is prosecuting Wal-Mart for waging an illegal, systematic union-busting campaign against workers. The NLRB is also charging Wal-Mart for violations of federal law in Palestine and Jacksonville, Texas. In Aiken, South Carolina, a corporate union buster from Wal-Mart's Bentonville, Arkansas headquarters, Kirk Williams, is named for illegally threatening workers in an attempt to undermine workers' efforts to organize a union. This is the third time the NLRB has named Mr. Williams for illegal anti-worker activities around the country. The Board also charged that Wal-Mart illegally denied several workers their right to have co-workers witness any interviews with managers. Among other things, workers were told that the right to a witness, known in labor law as an employee's "Weingarten rights," "did not hold water at [Wal-Mart]," even though two Circuit Courts of Appeal have upheld the right. This right to a witness is especially important to Wal-Mart workers because a common company practice is to surround employees in disciplinary interviews with an intimidating group of managers. Wal-Mart will be on trial on September 23, 2002 in Aiken for its illegal campaign of interrogation, threats and discipline against workers to suppress their legal right to organize with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). In Palestine, Texas, the NLRB charges that Wal-Mart illegally sabotaged the union election by transferring anti-union workers into the unit just before the election to dilute the strength of the union supporters. Corporate union busters are also named for illegal threats and interrogation of employees. The Palestine meat department workers narrowly lost an election to join UFCW Local 455 in May, 2000. The new Board case addresses Wal-Mart's illegal activities that sabotaged the union drive in Palestine and the company's failure to respect the workers' choice for UFCW representation at the Jacksonville, Texas Wal-Mart Supercenter meat department. Wal-Mart workers made history in Jacksonville, voting in February, 2000 in favor of UFCW representation. But Wal-Mart has refused to accept the workers' choice for a voice at work. The NLRB decided to prosecute Wal-Mart for refusing to bargain a union contract with the workers. Following the workers' vote, Wal-Mart announced plans to stock its stores with case-ready meat. The complaint also cites the retailer for failing to bargain with the UFCW over the plans to shift to case-ready meat. The Texas workers will have their day in court when the trial begins on November 18, 2002 in Tyler, Texas. Wal-Mart is waging a systematic campaign of intimidation and coercion across the country to deny workers a voice on the job. The NLRB an independent government agency, has issued complaints against the retailer in 25 states for illegal firings, threats, intimidation and coercion. The 1.4 million member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) is America's neighborhood union with members working in local neighborhood grocery stores in virtually every community. UFCW members working in packing houses and food processing plants put dinner on the table for America's families. In nursing homes and hospitals, the UFCW is giving care a voice. And in distilleries, chemical, textile, garment and manufacturing plants, the UFCW is making it in the U.S.A. |
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