How to Change Walmart

End Death Traps Tour, 4/24/13 Walmart action, Renton, WA.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:29:33 -0400

End Death Traps Tour, 4/24/13 Walmart action, Renton, WA.

Buy Not.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:29:14 -0400

I am an associate and know the pressure by Walmart to make me feel like I will have nothing if I standup publicly against them; after all they will not change enough to even meet their own three core ethical values.

What would happen if all associates stopped buying from Walmart and their families stopped buying and their friends stopped buying?

Keep up the good fight. Change Walmart and change the world!

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:29:00 -0400

Thanks for your support!

Walmart Day of Action photos

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:28:17 -0400

We’ve got photos from Northern California we’re uploading to our Facebook page as well,links below.

Photostream:

https://www.facebook.com/YourBreadAndButter/photos_stream

Walmart Day of Action album:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.547394288631946.1073741825.238762312828480&type=1

bit.ly/156liP0

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:47:10 -0500

bit.ly/156liP0

How can I find a attorney, for a possible lawsuit against Walmart for a unjustified and unfair job termination? I live in Wisconsin, border with Illinois. Thank You ..

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:45:25 -0500

I would recommend checking with OUR Walmart at forrespect.org

How do I send you Pics of my Wal-Mart?

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:44:57 -0500

You can post them here or send a private message to the OUR Walmart or Making Change at Walmart Facebook pages.

I'm thankful. . .But

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:44:16 -0500

I’m grateful that I do not live on the street. But the fact of the matter is, me as a cashier I see people with food stamps, giving false price matches, buying STEAK for 3 bucks. And I get in trouble because I do not think its right! I get lectured that its not “my place” to say anything to our wonderful customers. And to think Walmart makes so much money and yet they force me to work beyond my shift, me thinking “Oh least I will get some over time” Then they screw me over by cutting my hours. It is not right. I am so tired. Physically. Mentally.

I'm on truck crew, and they recently made sweeping changes to the backroom layout. I'm OCD and I am now getting yelled at if I sort things too precisely because it's "slowing me down." They won't hire more people, they still make us wait until the truck's done to go to first break so I have to carry food to keep my blood sugar up, and they frown upon me not wanting to stack kitty litter on flimsy boxes or if I try to sort grocery by aisle and section. Basically, "Go faster, screw Overnights."

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:54:45 -0500

I spoke to one Walmart worker who told me that she was instructed to push the people she was managing to go faster and faster. If they couldn’t keep up, she was basically forced to break them or single them out. It sounds like that isn’t too far from what is happening to you now. I would suggest connecting with OUR Walmart through their Facebook Page or website. A lot of the Associates experience something similar. Maybe one of them will be able to share how they’ve corrected the problem.

My store is out of store-use packing tape and every request the ordering manager makes for more is being denied. This is a problem because a lot of people can't stack, and those of us who can, we still use the tape to keep pallets and carts from collapsing if we're hauling out and we have to panic-stop because somebody runs out in front of us. (It has happened even just turning corners, and last time I heard about an employee asking for comp because it messed up her back, she got fired.)

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:51:48 -0500

Safety issues, especially with the pallets, are something that we hear about a lot. Money for supplies (like packing tape) comes out of the store budget and managers’ bonuses, so sometimes they’ll hold off as long as possible on ordering things like that. We have seen a lot of issues like this won by Associates who organize actions, delegations to confront the store manager or even just start and deliver a petition about the issue. If you need more information on how to get started, let us know or contact OUR Walmart through their website or Facebook page.

Is there a list online of all the stores that are on strike?

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:52:31 -0500

We don’t have a comprehensive public list. I think checking out the Tumblr or Flickr page would give you the best idea of where there were actions.

I respect everyone's rights to a fair workplace and it just so happens that I do work at a WalMart in Ohio and I don't quite understand what all the fuss is about. I believe we get good wages and the health insurance is there if we choose to particiapte. We also get stock purchase and a decent 401k. I enjoy my job and I don't understand, could you please explain that to me?

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:51:55 -0500

Hi There,

We appreciate your respectful email. I’m glad to hear that you’ve had a good experience in your store. Unfortunately, we find that does not seem to be the case in many stores across the country where workers face bullying, inconsistent and limited hours, safety issues, low wages and benefits that they can’t afford in their financial situation.

We have seen that when workers come together to raise questions about these issues, they can make progress. That being said, in many cases Walmart has unfairly disciplined, targeted or fired workers who speak out for change. Our goal is to make sure that Walmart respects Associates legal right to be able to speak out, without intimidation or threats.

We wish you the best of luck in your position and hope that our organizing will eventually benefit all Associates, event those that are in better situations like yourself.

Best wishes!

Seeing as most new outlets are calling Walmart a clear winner for Black Friday sales, how do you think the strike impacted their employment practices and do you feel it will really make a change?

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:47:34 -0500

This is a great question. I think this is a good discussion on the impact of the strike. The strikes this year weren’t meant to impact the bottom line. They were just the start in showing Walmart that workers can stand up to their bullying tactics.

Is it legal to schedule employees for a split shift with four and a half hours between shifts all on the same day. We actually have cashiers sleeping in their cars because it is too far to drive home and then come for the next shift. Wal-Mart should be ashamed. Given the price of gas and the fact that cashiers start at $8.10 an hour this is ludicrous.

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:40:57 -0500

That’s definitely ludicrous. I’ve heard quite a few stories from Associates who struggle to pay for gas or transportation just to get to work. That is nearly impossible with a schedule like you are describing. The situation you’re describing is illegal, but depends a lot on how strict your state law is there.

If you’re interested in talking more about this or having someone look into it, I would suggest reaching out to OUR Walmart at Forrespect.org or Facebook.com/OURWMT If you feel comfortable, you can also send me your information directly and I can have someone contact you (just like I’ve mentioned in other posts.)

Anyhow, I am sorry to hear that you are dealing with this situation. I hope we can help you address it.

I work at Wal-Mart.We get paid every 2 weeks. For about 5 days every 2 weeks I barely eat. If I do eat I have to pick and choose which days I would like to eat. If I get sick and have to miss days, I get coached. If a family member has an illness and I have to miss to help them, I get coached. How does Wal-Mart have such low prices? By treating their employees like complete trash.

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:37:50 -0500

This is absolutely horrible and I’m sorry to hear about what you’re dealing with there. Unfortunately, you aren’t the only one experiencing these kinds of issues at Walmart. I’ve talked to a number of Associates who are barely making it by, thinking about living out of their cars and having to make hard choices about what they can afford. This isn’t right.

Like the post before, I would highly recommend checking out Forrespect.org or Facebook.com/OURWMT. If you feel comfortable, you can also send me your information directly and I can have someone contact you.

Best of luck. You should know you aren’t alone.

Last week my store advertised to our associates that they could do their discounted holiday shopping "without their children" by dropping them off at the human resources office for a few hours. Last I checked, our facility didn't have any means of watching children, let alone training to do so. It's dangerous and shows blatant disrespect to associates and their families by not taking into account how to properly attend to the needs for even the most basic of child care.

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:35:19 -0500

Hi,

Sorry for our slow response on this issue. It is really messed up for Walmart to not only not provide, but misrepresent its intention to provide, childcare. This is definitely the kind of thing the OUR Walmart would want to work to address. I would highly recommend checking out Forrespect.org or Facebook.com/OURWMT to see if they’ve heard of similar issues in their stores. If you feel comfortable, you can also send me your information directly and I can have someone contact you.

amillionmilesaway00: not cool walmart, not cool

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:10:36 -0500

amillionmilesaway00:

not cool walmart, not cool

Interview with Disabled Walmart Employee in Rural Maine

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:08:56 -0500

Disabled Mainer Speaks about Working at Walmart, Upcoming Strikes

Low wages, lack of health insurance, concern for elderly and injured coworkers paramount

http://abilitymaineblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/disabled-mainer-speaks-about-working-at_19.html

I think the unionization effort is missing a strong argument: That Walmart has decided to ignore OSHA, to the continuous peril of its Associates. Please review two OSHA citations at the Rochester (1/27/12) and Cobbleskill (6/7/12)l New York stores. The fines are enhanced by OSHA because Walmart has been cited for many of the same violations in something like 14 previous citations. See the OSHA web site for details. WALMART STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS EVERYWHERE--check with Associates. Great PR.

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:08:44 -0500

This is a great point! We often hear from Associates that have been injured on the job or face safety hazards in their work.

Have you read much about the warehouse workers that move Walmart’s goods? A lot of their campaign focuses on safety issues.

Finally!!! Thank you!!!!

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:06:36 -0500