Workers’ rights advocates have strategically planned 1,000 demonstrations outside of Wal-Marts across the country in an effort to maximize visibility for their cause as there is typically a large turnout of shoppers on Black Friday. The organization responsible for the demonstrations, OUR Wal-Mart, says they are intended to draw attention to the plight of Wal-Mart employees who have been reprimanded by the retail giant for speaking out against low pay and understaffing. Hundreds of people turned out to advocate for the rights of Wal-Mart employees. Even some Wal-Mart employees, such as Cynthia Murray, who has worked for Wal-Mart for 13 years, skipped work for the day to join the rallies. Murray says that after attending previous protests, she has been taken to a locked room and threatened by her supervisors.
Wal-Mart disputed the number of protests that the group claims were held, “Only 26 protests occurred at stores last night and many of them did not include any Walmart associates,” said Bill Simon, Walmart U.S. president and chief executive officer.
“We estimate that less than 50 associates participated in the protest nationwide. In fact, this year, roughly the same number of associates missed their scheduled shift as last year,” he added.
The rallies did not seem to dampen the zeal of the Black Friday shoppers, who turned out in mass numbers as anticipated. However; OUR Wal-Mart representatives have said their goal is not to put Wal-Mart out of business, but just to change the way it treats its employees.
