The Obama administration continues its war on capitalism.
Liberal protesters march against Walmart in 2012. (KQED)
The AFL-CIO announced today Obama’s National Labor Relations Board will prosecute the nation’s largest retailer Walmart.
The AFL-CIO Blog reported:
Making Change at Walmart, a coalition of Walmart associates, small business owners, religious leaders and other members of the community that are fighting to make change at the nation’s largest employer, announced today the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will prosecute Walmart for its “widespread violations of its workers’ rights.” The decision will provide additional protection for Walmart’s 1.3 million employees when they are speaking out for better jobs and working conditions.
The coalition was advised Monday that the NLRB ‘s General Counsel is prepared to prosecute a complaint against Walmart for illegal firings and disciplinary actions involving more than 117 workers, including those who went on strike last June.
The decision addresses allegations of threats by managers and the company’s national spokesperson discouraging workers from striking and illegal disciplinary actions against workers who were on legally protected strikes. Workers could win back pay, reinstatement and the reversal of disciplinary actions as a result of the decision; and Walmart could be required to inform and educate all employees of their legally protected rights.
“The Board’s decision confirms what Walmart workers have long known: the company is illegally trying to silence employees who speak out for better jobs,” said Sarita Gupta, executive director of Jobs With Justice and American Rights at Work. “Americans believe that we have the responsibility – and the right – to speak out against corporate abuses of workers, and this proves we’re finally being heard, and making kinks in Walmart’s armor. Customers, clergy and community members from across the country are standing with Walmart workers bravely calling for better jobs and a stronger economy for all of us.”
UFCW International President Joseph Hansen agreed with Gupta:
Today, the government confirmed it will prosecute Walmart for illegally firing and disciplining workers who just exercised their rights. Quite frankly, enough is enough. Walmart workers are sick and tired of empty statements and unenforced policies and it is time for Walmart to obey the law.
The decision was a response to charges filed last year against Walmart managers who threatened and discouraged workers from going on legally-protected strikes as well as illegal firings and disciplinary actions stemming from a protest at the company’s June shareholder meeting in Bentonville, Arkansas.
