Walmart spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan said only a few store associates are participating in the Black Friday nationwide protests, and that the average hourly wage is $12.81.
“We’re proud of the unparalleled opportunities we can provide associates at Walmart,” Buchanan said.
Richard Wilson, a part-time associate at the North Broadway store, said it’s important for employees to stand together.
“My co-workers are making a courageous stand right in the middle of the street…and also to end illegal retaliation Walmart uses against it workers and and well as respect on the job, dignity,” Wilson said.
Earlier this month the National Labor Relations Board investigated charges alleging that Walmart violated the rights of its employees as a result of employee protests. The Office of the General Counsel found Walmart stores unlawfully threatened or terminated employees if they engaged in strikes and protests.
The NLRB also said Walmart stores in Illinois and Texas “did not interfere with their employees’ right to strike” by telling large groups of non-employee protesters to move from Walmart’s property to public property.
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