Walmart can’t catch a break this year. From the unprecedented Black Friday strikes last November to the End Death Traps Tour in April, the retail giant has taken non-stop heat for it’s perpetually low wages, worker retaliation, and dangerous working conditions in Bangladesh, where thousands have died sewing clothing bound for Walmart stores.
And we’re working hard to make sure they can’t catch their breath. This week, when Walmart’s shareholders gather in Bentonville, Arkansas on Friday for their annual meeting, protesters from across the U.S. will be there to greet them.
Making Change at Walmart and OUR Walmart partnered with us at Corporate Action Network for an historic week of action to demand fair wages, safe working conditions, and an end to retaliation for millions of Walmart employees worldwide. The action began last week, when hundreds of Walmart employees kicked off the first-ever prolonged strike in Walmart’s history. The strikers traveled in a “Ride for Respect” from thirty U.S. cities to Bentonville, Arkansas, in time to confront Walmart executives at the annual shareholders meeting on Friday, June 7th. The strikers will deliver a petition to Walmart executives and hold demonstrations throughout Bentonville at Walmart stores and the Walmart ‘home office.’
Despite Walmart’s public statements seeking to dismiss the movement, the protesters have already attracted the attention of Walmart’s leadership. In anticipation of the upcoming protests, Walmart requested and was a granted a temporary restraining order that prohibits non-employee protesters from entering Walmart property in Arkansas. Undeterred, OUR Walmart insists that the events will continue as planned. The good news is that we now know that we’ve got Walmart’s attention.
If you can’t make it to Bentonville for the historic actions this Friday, you can still show your support and solidarity with the Walmart strikers. We’ve set up a very easy-to-use event locator to help you find a solidarity event near you. With CAN’s tools, you can search by city or zip code for the nearest event, get in contact with event organizers, or even start your own event!
If you think that Walmart should pay their associates a living wage, ensure safe working conditions throughout their supply chain, and stop the retaliation against workers who speak out, then stand up and make your voice heard in support of the Walmart strikers this Friday – Walmart’s 2.2-million employees will thank you.
For more information, check out the Corporate Action Network, OUR Walmart, and Making Change at Walmart on Facebook and Twitter (and follow #WalmartStrikers and #WMTShares).