Black Friday strikes at Walmart by OUR Walmart, an employee labor union will be the largest in their three years of protest. Dubbed as the biggest strike in the company's history, more than 1,600 Walmart locations will be joining for improved working condition and $15 an hour protest.
Black Friday strikes at Walmart will be happening again on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving Day, and is the busiest shopping day of the year. Based on reports, unions in Minneapolis-Saint Paul and other locations will hold series of strikes.
Strikes at Walmart led by the company's union OUR Walmart, is supported by the country's labor unions including AFL-CIO, UFCW, a grocery and retailers union, and the American Federations of Teachers in New Mexico.
Black Friday strikes at Walmart this year were based on demand to have better salary for the employees. Most of the employees claim that their salary is not even enough to feed their family. Some have complained that they even don't have the money to buy gas for their cars.
Many protesters had started their demonstration ahead of the largest Black Friday strikes at Walmart.
Walmart workers already walking off jobs ahead of largest #strike at 1,600 @Walmart stores! https://t.co/3CWxpqX4H6 pic.twitter.com/qqD8jGN9GL
— Popular Resistance (@PopResistance) November 26, 2014
As the scheduled Black Friday strikes at Walmart is fast approaching, many people had expressed their stance and support with the retail giant's union, OUR Walmart.
"I’m amazed at how much people are like, ‘I’m going to join you this time.'" https://t.co/g00dgr1Z9P #WalmartStrikers @BW @UFCW @ForRespect — Josh Eidelson (@josheidelson) November 26, 2014
Strikes occurred last year at over 1,500 #Walmart locations. This year, organizers expect an additional 100 stores. https://t.co/nZwCCxRLAZ
— Waging Nonviolence (@wagingnv) November 19, 2014
The union has also expressed their rage with the owners of Walmart whom had enjoyed spending lavishly in a day while their family is suffering in their press release that reads:
"While many Walmart workers are unable to feed and clothe their families, the Walton family takes in $8.6 million a day in Walmart dividends alone to build on its $150 billion in wealth."
Black Friday strikes at Walmart were also fueled by the union's protest that most of the Walmart's store workers are earning under $25,000 per year. The normal pay for retail sales people in the United States is $20,990 in 2010, or $10.09 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
One employee of Walmart, Anthony Goytia, who is joining the Black Friday strikes at Walmart claimed that he is earning $9.60 per hour after a year of working with the retail giant company. He added his family relies on food stamps. He donates blood plasma, and filed payday loans in order to survive.
As the employees join hands for the Black Friday strikes at Walmart for a call of better scheduling, better wages and "illegal silencing of workers who are standing up for better jobs," still the retail giant in its top position is earning $16 billion in annual profits.
Will Walmart give the demands of their 1.3 million associates in the U.S.? Walmart operates in 27 countries with 11,000 retail units and employing a total of 2.2 million associates worldwide.
