Wal-Mart speaks out on proposed holiday protests

Union-backed groups and individuals announced Thursday (Nov. 21) a series of protests planned at Wal-Mart Stores on Black Friday and at the home office on Friday (Nov. 22), the one year anniversary of last year’s holiday protest.

Protestors called attention to the National Labor Relations Board’s announcement earlier this week that found Wal-Mart Stores illegally threatened "reprisal" against workers who protested on Nov. 22, 2012, in a number of states where strikes were held.

The NLRB has asked Wal-Mart to settle the claim or risk a suit being filed in the coming weeks. Wal-Mart said it is looking into the next steps and would soon make a decision regarding the request for settlement.

On Friday morning (Nov. 22), the workers who claim they were fired after last year’s protest will visit the home office to urge Wal-Mart to live up to the anti-retaliation policy it professes to follow, according to an email announcement from Making a Change at Walmart.

“We know that there are more labor events planned in the coming days. We certainly respect the unions’ right to protest,” said David Tovar, spokesman for Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

In an email to the media on Thursday, Tovar posed the question: How many of the people attending the planned strikes are current Wal-Mart associates? Do any of them work at this store?

He shared an infographic that claims the 30,000 workers and supporters that reportedly took place in strikes and protests last year is false. Wal-Mart said 5 of its workers walked off their shifts and 120 workers participated in demonstrations, while more than 1 million other employees worked on Black Friday. Tovar said the largest union-sponsored event took place in Los Angeles, with one Wal-Mart employee protesting for every 25 union sponsored protestors.

He said Wal-Mart welcomes a broader conversation around the economy and service industry jobs.

“As a large employer with many entry level jobs, we have a responsibility to be a part of this conversation, and you’ll see us engage in it over the coming weeks and months. We must all work together in a constructive manner to rebuild America’s middle class. Creating good jobs and real career opportunities means expanding education, training, and workforce development and we’re ready to do our part,” Tovar noted in the email.