Wal-Mart Union Protests Fail to Deter Bargain-Seekers

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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-23/wal-mart-union-protests-fail-to-deter-bargain-seekers.html



Workers and supporters march outside a local Wal-Mart Stores Inc. retail store on Black Friday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Jamie Walsh faced a Black Friday dilemma: take advantage of Wal-Mart’s deals at the Salem, New Hampshire, store or support union-backed protesters demanding better pay and benefits. In the end, the deals won the day.

Walsh, 42, wearing a sweatshirt from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2222, where her late brother-in-law was vice president, said she was aware of the union protests planned at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) locations around the country today. Still, she decided to buy an $89 electric ride-in Jeep, a LeapPad tablet, a dollhouse, a Sony Corp. (SNE) PlayStation and a $78 flatscreen television.

“It bothers me, but their prices are so good,” said Walsh, who is from Dorchester, Massachusetts, and works as a medical assistant at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The United Food & Commercial Workers International Union had planned more than 1,000 demonstrations online and at Wal- Mart stores around the country today to protest what it says are the retailer’s manipulation of hours and benefits, efforts to keep people from working full time and discrimination against women and minorities.

[Tobin S.]

1. That's a shame

We used to shop at Walmart occasionally, and we haven't in a while, but when I heard about the strike efforts my wife and I decided that we definitely would not be shopping there while that was going on. We try to spend our money at local and regional retailers and grocers.

I hope they keep at it, though. If they can stick together and grow the movement even the world's largest retailer will feel the heat.

[Old Union Guy]

2. Union *protests*. Not a *strike*.

For the most part "Wal-Mart Union Protests" failed to deter workers from reporting to work.

That's the real story.

[Earth_First]

3. This was never about making the consumer put out

This is about fair and equitable work environments for the employees.

The only individuals this strike was meant to put out was management.

[JaneyVee]

4. I think at this point it's all about educating the masses. So many people have no idea

Wal-Mart engages in such shady practices. This is the rallying the troops moment. It won't stop Wal-Mart, but it may inform shoppers to go home and research what is actually going on.

[ProSense]

5. Exactly!

Why are people always looking for instant gratification? The headline is designed to put down the effort, but you can best believe that Wal-Mart didn't relish having massive protests at its stores. They have no idea how much the protest affected sales.