“I’m Excited, I’m Nervous, I’m Scared…” Walmart Workers Walk Off Jobs

Answer 1

Several Wal-Mart employees in multiple Southern California stores are staging a one-day work stoppage protest for the first time in Wal-Mart's 50-year history.

OUR Walmart, a coalition of Walmart workers but not a recognized union, put together the walkout. The group, which hasn't sought official union recognition, has backing from the United Food and Commercial Workers union.

Employees say Wal-Mart, the world's largest private employer, has retaliated against members of OUR Wal-Mart for trying to organize and demand better pay.

The walkout follows strikes at Wal-Mart-contracted warehouses in California and Illinois. The rally in Illinois had 600 participants and ended with 17 people getting arrested for blocking the entrance to the distribution hub on Monday.

OUR Walmart has filed several Unfair Labor Practice charges over Wal-Mart's alleged retaliation that has continued against activists.

A Wal-Mart spokesman said OUR Wal-Mart is simply trying to get more members to fuel their own political agenda and said Wal-Mart disagrees with the charges filed by the group.