Walmart is in trouble with the National Labor Relations Board, according to The Huffington Post. Last year during Black Friday four hundred Walmart employees participated in walkouts and now the NLRB says they had every right to strike. The store threatened workers during two news broadcasts, saying that if a walkout happened “there could be consequences.” Walmart broke labor law and now they are under scrutiny. Employees are accusing the company of providing “unlivable wages, scant benefits and erratic scheduling.” Joseph Hansen, President of the United Food and Commercial Workers, stated that the charges against Walmart are “evidence that workers who’ve joined together to improve conditions have been targeted.”
The NLRB hasn’t prosecuted the company yet, but if there is no agreement between Walmart and its unsatisfied workers the complaints will be filed. However, not all complaints presented by workers are being recognized. The NLRB has dismissed grievances that employees’ rights were violated by having them forced off of store property and that a change in work schedules was a punishment for striking. Walmart spokesperson, Brooke Buchanan, commented, “We will pursue our options to defend the company because we believe our actions were legal and justified. This is our busiest time of the year and we’re focused on serving our customers and helping them have a great holiday season.” Strikes are being planned for this coming holiday season, but the number of participants is unknown at this time.
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