Walmart workers throughout Southern California plan a strike on Black Friday -- the day following Thanksgiving and the busiest and most lucrative shopping day of the year -- to protest what organizers call an atmosphere of retaliation fostered by management.
The workers are to be joined by community leaders, church groups and advocates.
According to advocates, workers throughout Southern California who complained about low wages have since experienced retaliation from management, with shortened hours, changed work schedules and firings.
Workers throughout Southern California plan to walk off the job on Black Friday, and convene at 10:30 a.m. at the Paramount Walmart, 14501 Lakewood Blvd.
Allison Mannos, an organizer with advocacy group LAANE, said that workers began striking around the country last week.
"One Thousand Black Friday protests kicked-off with warehouse workers from Southern California and Walmart workers from San Leandro, Calif., Seattle, and Dallas walking off the job," Mannos said.
"Workers in Pico Rivera went on strike Tuesday, Nov. 20 and Walmart workers from cities across the country have announced additional strikes in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Washington DC, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisiana and Minnesota in the upcoming days."
Advocates said that Walmart management refuses to talk to their workers about employee concerns and punishes anyone who complains of ill treatment.
The movement Making Change at Walmart is a coalition of Walmart associates, religious leaders, small business owners, union members, women’s rights groups, civil rights organizations, elected officials and other concerned individuals.
