Thursday, November 15, 2012

Support Walmart's Striking Workers

Family,

Of the many unfair business tactics Walmart employs, their treatment of workers seeking to organize is one that speaks loudly and clearly. As far as Walmart management is concerned, unions will never be allowed in their stores!

Even as unions in American have been the great equalizer: It can be argued that there would be no middle class without the union movement. Imagine working 40, 50 or even 60 hours a week in a steel plant in the 1950's, and still not being able to afford a home or automobile, or to send your children to college . . . without unions, that most certainly would have been the case. Collective bargaining is a cornerstone of what fairness exists in employer/employee relationships. Even in companies without unions, their pay and benefits are influenced by those achieved through bargaining at other companies.

That Walmart, the largest employer in America, would forbid unions is understandable. Providing fair wages, reasonable benefits and union protections would reduce profits; however, it would also lift thousands out of poverty and reduce the burden on state and federal governments that now fund the safety net for Walmart employees, providing food stamps, health services, housing assistance, etc.

This year, on Black Friday, the group, Organization United for Respect at Walmart (OUR Walmart), has planned strikes throughout the country. Please take a few moments to sign their petition at Color of Change by clicking here.

Also, click here to see other ways to support our brothers and sisters at Walmart on Black Friday, as recommended by the UFCW Minority Coalition through the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference.

It's a small thing to do, but if millions of us do it, we can make a difference.

Rev. Rochelle Michael and Daryle Brown
Trinity UCC Justice Watch Team

PS And of course, DON'T SHOP AT WALMART!