Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Public House › Wal-Mart Workers Allege Store Closings Retalitory
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April 21, 2015 at 2:09 pm #22957
PA RamParticipantWal-Mart workers are fighting back against the retailer’s decision last week to close five stores in four states for what the company says are plumbing repairs.
Workers at the company’s Pico Rivera, Calif. store who are associated with OUR Walmart, a group that advocates for better pay, say the closings are “retaliatory” in nature. They filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board on Monday, claiming that the termination of more than 500 employees at the Pico Rivera Walmart constituted an unfair labor practice.
Last week, the retail giant, which employs 1.3 million workers at 4,500 stores in the United States, temporarily closed five stores–two in Texas and one each in California, Florida, and Oklahoma–for six months of plumbing repairs. The stores closed at 7 p.m. on April 13, which gave workers just a few hours notice that they were losing their jobs. The company provided two months of paid leave for both full-time and part-time workers. Employees could try to transfer to a different Walmart location during that time. Full-time workers who fail to find another Walmart job are eligible for severance starting June 19, but part-time workers aren’t entitled to that benefit.
A Wal-Mart spokesman told Fortune on Friday that “deciding to close a store is not a decision we make lightly, but after careful consideration, we felt it was necessary to make these repairs so we can better serve our customers and the community in the long run.” He said Wal-Mart regularly assesses the condition of its stores and that, due to ongoing plumbing issues that will require “extensive repairs,” the company would need to temporarily close the five stores. Wal-Mart says it intends to reopen them when the plumbing issues are resolved.
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which backs OUR Walmart, is listed as the filing party on the NLRB complaint, which claims that Wal-Mart targeted the Pico Rivera store because it has been “the center of concerted action by [workers] to improve wages and working conditions for all Walmart [workers] around the country.” The Pico Rivera store was the site of OUR Walmart’s first strike in 2012; workers at that location have participated in strikes and civil disobedience ever since.
Wal-Mart’s rationale for closing the Pico Rivera store–that it must undergo extensive plumbing repairs–is a farce, the complaint says. “City officials in Pico Rivera say that nothing has been brought to their attention and no permits at all have been sought for any work,” according to the complaint. Wal-Mart temporarily shuttered the other four stores due to plumbing as a way to “mask” the retaliatory nature of the Pico Rivera closing, the complaint says. The filing asks the NLRB for injunctive relief and to compel Wal-Mart to rehire the 2,200 workers who have been terminated at all five stores.
The company did not immediately return a request for comment on the complaint with the NLRB.
The news is likely an unwelcome distraction for Wal-Mart, which has been focused on improving its customer service–an effort that requires worker support. Doug McMillon, who became CEO in 2014, has pledged to reverse the retailer’s diminished “in-store executive.”The minimum wage bump that Wal-Mart gave to 500,000 workers in February was, in part, aimed at aiding customer service. And on Friday, Wal-Mart said it would eliminate a layer of management inside its U.S. stores in a bid to reduce bureaucracy, boost customer service, and give front-line workers more say in how their store sections operate. (The move will not result in staff reductions.)
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. " Philip K. Dick
April 21, 2015 at 2:22 pm #22958PA RamParticipantJust some comments I wanted to make:
First of all, why not just lay the employees off until the work is finished?
That seems odd–if they’re truly re-opening the stores anyway.
And secondly, I don’t know if the more depressing thing to me is the people losing their jobs or the attitudes of the comments made on that link’s page. It’s so depressing.
Dennis Polyblank · Top Commenter · Scottdale, Pennsylvania
The stores belong to Walmart. They can do as they please.
Reply · Like · 398 · Yesterday at 10:34amMarjorie Golden · Top Commenter
Of course they can, Dennis, but sometimes people should change “can” to “should” and do what is good for others not just themselves, especially if you “can”.
Reply · Like · 28 · 21 hours agoDennis Polyblank · Top Commenter · Scottdale, Pennsylvania
It is their business, not yours or mine.
Reply · Like · 61 · 21 hours agoTom Buford · Top Commenter · President at Buford Properties
Never make demands of your employer. Ok to make suggestions..Dwayn Jones · Top Commenter
With all the employee theft going on (most recent one woman stole $240,000 by processing fake returns) why shouldn’t they be able to close a few stores to make up for the losses. People, you are NOT entitled to have a job. Get off your butts, take a few classes to better yourself and get a job that isn’t mainly for teens, first time employees or seniors looking to make a little extra spending money.Gary Clouse · Santa Monica, California
This is too rich. The employees at the LA store complained about the wages and working conditions – and of course the answer is, you don’t have to work there – so Walmart just helped them reach that conclusion by closing the store. The employees’ response? “Don’t close this store we really wanted to work there after all!”
Reply · Like · 259 · Edited · Yesterday at 10:35amDuwayne Young · Top Commenter · Dublin High
No they don’t want to work. but just collect the paycheck.
Reply · Like · 155 · Yesterday at 10:44amJayson Osmars · Top Commenter
That isn’t the jest, it’s Walmart slamming the door with no notice, respect nor dignity for the workers. that’s the argument. If they provided 30-90 days notice the store is closing then they will have time to make preparations.
Reply · Like · 54 · 23 hours agoLarry Parker · Top Commenter · Owner at Self Employed Contractor
Oh Pleeassse, It ain’t your Store. Go Open Dor-Mart and run it how you wish…..If Wal-Mart wants to Close 300 Stores in the USA that’s their perogative….What Judge can order them to Open up a Store…..How ’bout NONE….
Reply · Like · 129 · 23 hours agoTerry Palmatier · Top Commenter · Kalamazoo, Michigan
I know quite a few people who work for Wal Mart. I never hear them complaining. Seems like the only people I hear complaining about conditions and pay at Wal Mart are a bunch of union shills. Imagine that!
Reply · Like · 223 · Yesterday at 10:40amWayne Dillon · Top Commenter · Agency Manager/Consultant at Dyer Insurance / Allstate
My wife has worked for Walmart for 26 years and she loves her job and her company; they have taken great care of her (and our family).
Reply · Like · 161 · 23 hours agoJenna M. Prosceno · Top Commenter · Author/Vlogger at Liveyourpositivelife.com
“Union Shills” the same people that brought you the 40 hour work week, OSHA, the Labor Board, and made making 6 year olds working hard labor illegal. Yep, got it.
Reply · Like · 119 · 23 hours agoTony Schipani · Top Commenter
Jenna M. Prosceno The 40 hour work week is dead, I’ve never only worked 40 hours in my life. If unions are supposed to help worker’s rights, they are doing a terrible job. The only thing that unions are good for is to shovel millions of member’s dollars into politicians pockets.
Reply · Like · 253 · 23 hours agoRegie Farr · Top Commenter · Works at Shrimp Boat Captain
If you were drafted by Wal Mart then maybe you have a legitimate complaint. But if you were hired through your own free will then PUT OUT THAT CIGARETTE AND GO MOP THAT FLOOR!
Reply · Like · 108 · Yesterday at 10:27amDave Tewell · Top Commenter · Works at None
Somebody should find Reggie and sink his boat. Then see how he feels about life.
Reply · Like · 4 · 23 hours agoBrad Wagner · Top Commenter
Well said. YOU get it. YOU live in reality. I do not know where all of these people are coming from who feel that a private business MUST provide jobs… or else. You don’t want to work there, then don’t. You don’t want to shop there, then don’t. It’s called freedom! Businesses and individuals alike have it. Welcome to America!
Reply · Like · 66 · 23 hours agoCarroll Bryant · Top Commenter
Dave Tewell – Someone feels entitled, doesn’t he? (Meaning you, Dave.) Nobody owes you a job. If you don’t like your job, then quit. Find another one. That’s how a free society functions. FYIPA Ram: Ugh. It goes on and on like that. People want this country to race to the bottom–they truly do. How do you begin to fight a rising corprotocracy when millions of Americans–poor or at least subsidizing things through their taxes like health care or welfare because a company doesn’t pay a living wage, stand with the corporations?
It is mind-numbing to me.
Also–I realize that there are people who agree with those comments but as a union worker for 30 years I look at it through that lens. While they may not be perfect, I realize their importance.
Just my opinion but I find those comments frustrating to say the least.
I understand people will disagree.
"Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. " Philip K. Dick
April 21, 2015 at 4:11 pm #22962
ZooeyModeratorJenna M. Prosceno · Top Commenter · Author/Vlogger at Liveyourpositivelife.com
“Union Shills” the same people that brought you the 40 hour work week, OSHA, the Labor Board, and made making 6 year olds working hard labor illegal. Yep, got it.
Reply · Like · 119 · 23 hours agoTony Schipani · Top Commenter
Jenna M. Prosceno The 40 hour work week is dead, I’ve never only worked 40 hours in my life. If unions are supposed to help worker’s rights, they are doing a terrible job. The only thing that unions are good for is to shovel millions of member’s dollars into politicians pockets.
Reply · Like · 253 · 23 hours agoHunh. Weird how that rise in the expectation that the labor force will work more than 40 hours corresponds with the weakening of unions across the board.
But Tony can’t connect those dots.
You’re right, PA. It’s just truly depressing. The whole situation. We have millions of people who are hard-hearted against their OWN interests. It is truly weird.
April 21, 2015 at 4:46 pm #22963bnwBlockedWill Kroenke install better plumbing in his Inglewood stadium?
The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.
Sprinkles are for winners.
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