Walmart Workers, Community and Labor Supporters Demand Right to Union Representation

Seek to Organize Washington, D.C., Area Stores

Efforts Will Raise Standard of Living, Help Lift Workers Out of Recession

LANDOVER HILLS, Md., June 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Calling it a crusade to uphold their rights, gain a voice in the workplace, raise their living standards and help lift the economy and workers out of the recession, a group of Walmart employees today announced that their campaign to organize Washington, D.C., area stores of the retailing giant is gaining momentum.

Though Walmart earned nearly $13.5 billion in profits in 2007, making it the most profitable company in the world, and is the world's largest private employer, the company pays low wages and prices health benefits out of reach for nearly half its workforce.

"Because Walmart has 1.4 million employees across the U.S., its poor treatment of workers has driven down the American standard of living, helped shrink the middle class, and contributed to the reduced consumer purchasing power that is hurting the economy," said Jim Lowthers, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400. "By empowering themselves through union representation, Walmart employees will give themselves better lives and give all Americans a more prosperous economy."

"Walmart disrespects and mistreats its employees," said Cindy Murray, who works at the Laurel, Md., store. "I can tell you first-hand that most of my colleagues want union representation because they know it's the only way they can earn a living wage and gain dignity on the job, but management is trying to intimidate and threaten us. Eventually, I am confident that our hopes will triumph over the fears Walmart is trying to stoke and we will overcome."

"These employees are important members of our community," said Edmonston Mayor Adam Ortiz. "They work hard, pay taxes, and follow the rules. They deserve a chance to improve their lives through their constitutionally protected right to organize. Good wages are a good thing -- for everybody. Unionized employees produce more, earn better wages and benefits, and therefore make our towns and cities stronger. Also, more money earned means more money spent in our area businesses, including Walmart. I urge Walmart to continue working with our local community here and make this the first unionized Walmart in the nation."

"All employees should have the right to organize, free from intimidation and harassment," said Maryland State Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-22nd). "Bargaining collectively ... is a key factor in expanding our middle class and should be applauded, not resisted. It is indeed unfortunate that the Walmart corporation has not welcomed labor-management cooperation and employee empowerment. I remain hopeful that Walmart stores in the Maryland-D.C.-Virginia area could be a beacon in unionization efforts and that improved wages, health care and working conditions result in benefits to our communities. They should be supported."

Walmart employees are trying to organize unions throughout the Washington, D.C., area and across the U.S. UFCW Local Unions, including Local 400, are working to assist them and protect them from unlawful management retaliation. In the past, workers who have called for union representation have been harassed and intimidated; stores where workers voted for a voice on the job have been closed. Nevertheless, a growing number of Walmart employees have decided it is time for change.

"Every Walmart employee should know that we're standing by their side every step of the way and that we've always got their back," Lowthers said. "They should also know that whether through passage of the Employee Free Choice Act or through our unrelenting persistence and tenacity, we will create a climate where their right to collective bargaining will be upheld and made a reality, no matter how hard Walmart tries to resist the march of progress."

Speakers said that the Walmart workers' efforts to organize are especially timely. They noted that they have the backing of President Obama, who has said, "I don't mind standing up for workers, and letting Walmart know they need to pay a decent wage and let folks organize."

In addition to speaking out today, Walmart workers and their supporters distributed handbills informing neighbors of their struggle for union representation, and how the company is trying to deny them rights available to all workers under the law. Allies of the Walmart employees also pledged to make the company's treatment of its workers a major issue at its June 5, 2009, shareholders meeting in Arkansas.

UFCW Local 400 represents 35,000 members working in the retail food, retail, health care, food processing, service and other industries in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, West Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky.


SOURCE UFCW Local 400