********** UPDATE **********
I was contacted by someone, who was contacted by the attorney of the woman who was arrested yesterday to not post any photos of her being arrested, so as a courtesy I removed the photo and their names. I firmly believe that Walmart management are behind the arrests. It appears that the only the statement the police pointed to as vanadalism mentioned the name Walmart. I think the store manager thinks he will look better to his boss if at least something happened to make the demonstrators look like hooligans. But I think we all know the real criminals are the ones who are paid off by Walmart to look the other way when it comes to the treatment of workers.
Today another Black Friday is about to come to a close and with that … the infamous National Black Friday Walmart Strike of 2012. Cristina Trutanich organized today’s strike at the 5th street, Long Beach store . She heard about the strike watching , The Young Turks, a group of young investigative journalists that have a news show on Current t.v. She is not an employee of Walmart but felt the need to help and show her support. Even though Walmart employees did not walk off their jobs, they knew what was happening outside and that a group of sometimes noisy demonstrators were there for them. The group of about 50, made up of Occupy Long Beach members and other sympathizers chanted anti Walmart slogans and sang Christmas carols with a Walmart twist. There was even a one hour meditation outside the store.
I interviewed several people exiting the store and asked them how they felt about the possibility of Walmart workers walking off the job during one of the busiest shopping days of the year, andl of those I spoke to, did not know about a strike or even why Walmart workers were upset, so in case you have been sleeping in the same cave as these people, let me break it down for you.
Walmart has been in trouble for years and has too many lawsuits to even count, from forcing employees to work off the clock, no overtime pay, sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, to severe injuries at their warehouses, including heat exhaustion. Upper management is known for firing anyone who complains about poor work conditions. Do you know that taxpayers have been subsidizing Walmart’s low wages for years? Yes, you read that correctly, Walmart pays their employees such low wages that they qualify for government aide in the form of food stamps and health care. Walmart does offer health care but the premiums are so high, that most employees can’t afford it.The 40% who are able to pay are about to be forced to pay 30% percent more, which will probably throw them on the public health care doles as well. Walmart workers are a perfect example of the phrase, ” working poor”. I wonder what Paul Ryan would say about that? The taxpayers are stuck with the tab, while the Walton family have more wealth than the bottom 40% of Americans combined. Talk about your Welfare Queens!
OSHA has cited the warehouse in Ontario for several safety violations, that prompted a six-day march last September protesting conditions at Inland warehouses. Well, it seems that some Walmart employees have finally had enough and with the help of OUR Walmart, a labor organization created by the United Food and Commercial Workers, some of them have been walking off their jobs the past few weeks. Social media, NPR and CNN have been buzzing about just how many employees they thought might have the courage to leave their low wage jobs this Black Friday. Some shoppers I spoke with told me that if they didn’t like the pay then go ahead and strike… but not so fast. Walmart and anyone in business these days knows that jobs are hard to come by and that includes minimum wage ones. I don’t care what stats are coming out of Washington, the job market sucks.
The focus of this recent strike is to tell Walmart management to stop the retaliation against employees who speak out against poor work conditions. In response Walmart officials say the United Food and Commercial Workers is illegally interfering in the company’s business. Walmart made $15 billion last year and paid their CEO $18 million.
Cathy Youngblood, a hotel worker told me, ” I understand the paralyzing fear when a worker wants to speak out but can’t because companies like Walmart retaliates. I am here to stand in their place. Corporate hates to hear the word “abuse” but that goes on alot. Its all about corporate greed and how to make billions of dollars in profit and not take care of the workers. Walmart workers have done a good job reaching out to the public about their job issues.”
Another supporter, SiSi 99 who has a radio show on KCTY.org pointed out, ” Walmart employees want to be paid a minimum of $25,000 a year, that’s only $4,000 more than they get now. Walmart spends more than that per year, per employee buying up their own stock to prevent outside influence.”
I hate to admit that most people seemed indifferent about the struggles of a Walmart employee. They were there to get bargains. They really didn’t have time to listen. One man’s opinion really stood out for me though. He wouldn’t give me his name but as his son struggled to balance the new giant size flat screen television he just bought in Walmart on a Dollie, this guy wanted to know if he was able to get a bigger paycheck if Walmart workers got a raise. I asked him where he worked and he told me, the water and power company. I asked if he got benefits, maybe a pension and he laughed. ” yes but its never enough.” Complete disconnect.
For most of the day the head of security and his staff stood outside the entrance, making sure no one sneaked in, however some demonstrators managed to get by them and carried around their homemade “Walmart hurts employees” signs until they were quickly escorted back outside by management. The Long Beach police were called to come out several times but the police told the crowd that as long as they did not go inside the store or antagonize shoppers they could exercise their free speech…until …someone cracked open a box of Walmart brand chalk and “expressed” themselves on the sidewalk across the street from the store. Then things went a bit crazy for at least two of the demonstrators. I didn’t see anyone actually chalking the sidewalk, but by the time I got there, the offender had already been whisked away by police and I saw a woman being handcuffed, a bit roughly in my opinion. Witnesses told me that she was telling police to stop harassing the young woman who was chalking the sidewalk, and a female police officer grabbed her by the arms to restrain her. The crowd turned their attention to the scuffle and chanted “Shame! Shame! leave the girl alone.”
A few minutes later one of the officers asked the crowd who was in charge and they responded they all were. Not the answer he was looking for but I found it amusing. The visibly frustrated officer told the crowd that engaging in free speech was ok, but chalking the sidewalk is vandalism. Sharon Cotrell, a member of Occupy Long Beach refuted his statement citing a 1995 9th Circuit court decision that ruled “no chalk would damage a sidewalk.” The officer shot back that they (the 9th Circuit court) were not here today, so their ruling did not apply. What? Rules can be changed if the ones who make them are not present? How very Walmart is that logic?
There was consenses among the crowd to march over to the police station, so the Black Friday Walmart Strike of 2012 came to a close. Maybe the employees did not walk out today, but I bet there were many who did so “in their mind”. Something tells me this fight is far from over…it’s really just begun.
Good work Inge.
A dozen of us were at the Orange “Village” Walmart, Tustin Ave.
I was amazed at how many customers did not want to acknowledge the existence any of the protesters. The Walmart employees did seem to be interested though, which was probably more important.
I started by holding a sign that said “Walmart destroys American Business” and then realized that message wasn’t going to win me any sympathy with the actual employees, so then I wrote a new sign saying, “Walmart employees deserve better”. That perked them up a little more.
The best part for me, was being congratulated by a Cost Co. employee that told me that they are part of the Teamsters Union and that he makes $19.00 an hour for basic level employment.
I am going to research this. Find out the facts and try to publicize the hell out of it.
So help me spread the truth.
Where were these activities being advertised? This blog needs a Public Service Announcement section, especially for local activities. There is enough space unused now in the right side column. On the issue of Walmart, I am contacting Tavis Smiley, as his PBS program is primarily funded by this corporation. He has done an excellent job on addressing the issue of poverty and economic justice. It is a tough balance for progressives to keep a presence in the mainstream media, as Greg points on the thread about the radio talk show in KTLK. Inge did a great job on her report!
The specific targeted locations are being kept secret prior to the actions in question.
Ricardo, you can friend me on facebook and I will keep you in the loop about future actions like Walmart. Greg is correct, although there was a website that listed all locations participating and they were on facebook event pages. My name is Inge Bird on facebook.
OK I will. Among the many interesting comments in the nation blog, these two have a telling significance:
• MacDonald’s, Papa John’s and other business keep most workers’ hours at the part-time level to avoid paying for break time, health benefits, and to reduce salaries. Consumers must become better-informed and responsible about the work conditions of the places where we shop. We are subsidizing workers’ pay and paying for their health coverage through our taxes with food stamps and Medicaid. The Waltons and these other business owners/execs should be paying a living wage to their workers and not leaving them empty-handed and relying on the American taxpayer to pick up the slack!
• “Today in America, unions have a secure place in our industrial life. Only a handful of reactionaries harbor the ugly thought of breaking unions and depriving working men and women of the right to join the union of their choice. I have no use for those — regardless of their political party — who hold some vain and foolish dream of spinning the clock back to days when organized labor was huddled, almost as a hapless mass. Only a fool would try to deprive working men and women of the right to join the union of their choice,”—Dwight D. Eisenhower
PS. Eisenhower was a Republican.
No wonder Vern always talk about the good Republicans vs the bad ones.
I agree with Dwight Eisenhower, “Today in America, unions have a secure place in our industrial life. Only a handful of reactionaries harbor the ugly thought of breaking unions and depriving working men and women of the right to join the union of their choice. I have no use for those — regardless of their political party — who hold some vain and foolish dream of spinning the clock back to days when organized labor was huddled, almost as a hapless mass. Only a fool would try to deprive working men and women of the right to join the union of their choice,”
However, I can’t find a union boss or socialist activist who agrees with him. If the unions would support the right of workers to join or NOT TO JOIN the union, only reactionaries would object.
Unions without mandatory membership don’t work. Non-members free ride, receiving the benefits of collective bargaining, but then don’t (indeed arguably can’t, given lack of legal protections for individual versus concerted labor actions) participate in any threat to withhold labor.
I understand why a “each do as you will” policy would make logical sense to you. It has a certain appeal. Unfortunately, it guts efforts to engage in serious and effective collective bargaining. That’s the only reason anyone would have to give you — and it should be the only one you need to hear.
And please do contact Tavis Smiley. I bet he is not aware who sponsors his shows. Could you toss around my name as a future guest? I would love to talk to him about GMOs!
O.k. started to do my research. Supposedly Costco. average hourly pay is $17.00 an hour plus different benefit options. (Not an expert in this terminology, forgive me). The chief exec. is devoted to creating a superior environment for the employees. His advisors consistantly tell him that he is too generous with the health care benefit options and that he should pinch the employees more to increase the overall profits for outside stock holders.
Imagine that. Wall street advisers are upset with him for not favoring optimum investor stock growth over healthy employee benefits.
What Assholes.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/17/business/yourmoney/17costco.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Why am I not surprised about anything Wall Street advisors say? They came up with the scheme to screw over the American public a few years ago and will probably do it again!
Amazing article Inge. Factual and heart felt. Occupy Long Beach, people giving up their time and lives to help people. People who don’t want it but need it, people who don’t care and should and people that possibly don’t deserve it.
How Christlike.
Worth the wait, Inge — thanks.
I still think that fighting about chalking rather than substance is a diversion from what’s important — especially in this case. That said, the officer’s answer about the 9th Circuit deserves many facepalms.
I agree with Greg. All experienced Occupiers know how to recognize distraction, diversion and theater from straight up info protest.
There is a thin line between theatrics and sabotage.
Until the activist have the courage to stand as an organized, disciplined front, nothing forward will be achieved. peace.
Ricardo, needs to be hooked up with the Occupy Anaheimers that are hooked up with Occupy O.C. that are hooked up with Occupy Santa Ana that are hooked up with Occupy L.A. etc. Greg, I will send you an email asking if you have any contact info for Ricardo if that is o.k. with him?
It is OK with me. However, I still think this blog needs a space for announcements. I missed the demonstration about Gaza today. It was announced in another blog, at the last minute I tried to make it but I had the wrong location. I have an old flip flop phone, pay as you go. I may get a smart phone, with maps and applications, if I had one I could’ve googled the location.To feel less guilty about adding radioactive waste, and being exposed to potential carcinogenic consequences, I may get a phone from Credo (not from Costco but made in China anyway…) which is a progressive phone company.
On second thoughts, Vern, you’d better create a section to announce events, to avoid getting a toxic phone, and keep Dora from getting mad at you again….
The Weekend Open Threads are the best place for announcements. That’s part of why they exist.
Why go to Wallmart or Cosco or any other retailer that sells foreign made crap?
For your gifts to those who demand what the TV tells them they need and you as the worker / bread winner, must get them. I say: This year give them a “Fine Stick of Wood and a Pound of Dirt”.
For the traditionalist you can give the “Lump of Coal”
Cook, you are always the optimist! Several demonstrators that did speak with shoppers, told them to support small local businesses and buy from local craft artists.
I agree with you, people are “shamed” into buying gifts they cannot afford because they are afraid of being viewed as either cheap or not having the Christmas spirit. It takes courage to walk the road less traveled. I plan to write my personal view about what Christmas has become and who I believe are at fault. It may surprise some readers.
Cook, is correct. Don’t go buy a bunch of unneeded junk at Costco. just because they are better employers than Walmart.
“Been A round a long time” Are you f-ing kidding me?
You must live in a time bubble.
So many Americans are brainwashed into believing that all that unions are bad bad bad. You obviously have not been to the shopping mall lately to hear ignorant masses talk shit about unions and “socialism”.
Normally, I wouldn’t spend alot of time thinking about chalking the sidewalk and First Amendment rights because its not high on my list of grievances, however after observing first hand the rough treatment by the Long Beach Police Department to a woman who was chalking the sidewalk across the street from WalMart, I was curious.
So I made several phone calls to get Chris Fulmer’s (the WalMart store manager) comment about the “vandalism” arrest, but he was mysteriously always busy. So I called the Long Beach Police Department Media Relations hotline, and here is the scoop about chalking the sidewalk. Officer Pratt referred me to Cal Pen code #594:
http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/cacode/PEN/3/1/14/s594.
Since this is a California code, it holds true in any city and is even for kids drawing hopscotch. I guess it doesn’t matter what the 9th Circuit court says…
Presente.org is a national organization that exists to amplify the political voice of Latino communities. They participated in the Walmart campaign with this action:
“In April 2011, Walmart settled a lawsuit brought on by nine employees of a California store who were called “f—-n’ wetbacks,” told Mexicans are only good for cleaning homes, and reported to immigration authorities by their managers despite having legal status.1
Recently, a Latina manager named Venanzi worked in another California store, regularly overhearing racist comments, being told she was nothing, and that she could be easily fired if she spoke up. When she refused to “push her workers until they broke,” Walmart issued a disciplinary action against her for “stealing two minutes of company time” for her returning from a 17-minute break, not 15-minute break.
For the first time in history, Walmart workers are striking,2 and our friends at Color of Change, CREDO, and more from across the progressive movement are stepping up. Can you help us support these workers by joining a united call for Walmart to stop retaliating against employees who speak out for better working conditions?
Demand Walmart stop retaliating against workers who speak up.
Walmart is the largest employer of Latinos in the United States and has never seen this kind of coordinated blowback before.
Sources:
1. “Walmart to Pay $440,000 to Settle EEOC Suit for Harassment of Latinos,” U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. April 14, 2011. http://1.usa.gov/Te2yse
2. “Why Wal-Mart workers are striking on Black Friday,” CNNMoney, Nov 20, 2012, http://cnnmon.ie/SckNfb
If you’re interested in collaborating with Presente.org, or just want more information, please contact us at: info@presente.org.”