|
Wal-Mart fires
UFCW supporter: Labour board takes US retailer to court again Wal-Mart's war on its workers is spreading to the far reaches of the United States and hitting home in America's heartland. Worker charges in Alaska and Iowa have resulted in National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) complaints against the retail giant's illegal anti-union activity. On June 24, 2002, Wal-Mart will be on trial in Wasilla, Alaska for illegally retaliating against a key supporter of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW). Ken Stanhope, a UFCW supporter, exercised his federal labor law right to request a co-worker to act as a witness during a disciplinary interview, but his managers denied his request and went ahead with the interview. Two days later, Stanhope was fired. After a seven-month investigation, the NLRB charges that Wal-Mart violated Stanhope's rights and issued a complaint. A trial before an administrative law judge has been scheduled for June 27, 2002, in Anchorage. The judge could order Stanhope's reinstatement with full backpay. Bribed Idaho workers to suppress union support In Dubuque, Iowa, the NRLB charges that Wal-Mart illegally bribed workers in the Tire & Lube Express Department in order to suppress union support. At the first sign of union activity at the Dubuque Supercenter, Wal-Mart flooded the store with union-busting executives to profile the associates and identify their issues. Wal-Mart's campaign to suppress the union support involved passing off benefits as illegal payoffs to workers. Key union supporters' hours were manipulated to keep them away from other workers. In Mountain Home, Idaho, Wal-Mart threatened to reduce worker bonuses because of increased legal expenses resulting from NLRB charges. The workers forced Wal-Mart to back down and retreat from its long standing legal policy of refusing to settle legal charges. When the NLRB issued a complaint about the tactic, the company quietly settled the complaint to avoid a trial and posted a notice to employees that reads, in part: WE WILL NOT tell our employees that as a result of expenses incurred processing charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board, the employees will receive a reduced profit-sharing. UFCW supports Wal-Mart workers UFCW Executive Vice President Michael E. Leonard said, "Wal-Mart acts as if it's above the law and can violate its associates' rights whenever it pleases. Workers are fighting back and they are winning. The UFCW will support Wal-Mart associates as long as it takes to force Wal-Mart to be a responsible employer." Wal-Mart is waging a systematic campaign of intimidation and coercion across the country to deny workers a voice on the job. The NLRB has issued complaints against Wal- Mart for violations of federal labor law that include charges of intimidation, threats, retaliation, coercion and surveillance in: Jacksonville, TX, Tyler, TX, College Station, TX, Lubbock, TX, New Castle, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Lake Elsinore, CA, Beckley, WV, Buckhannon, WV, Orlando, FL, Ocala, FL, Kingman, AZ, Las Vegas, NV, Mountain Home, ID, Pueblo, CO, Tahlequah, OK, Indianapolis, IN and Florence, KY. *** The United Food and Commercial Workers
International Union (UFCW) is North America's largest organization of
retail workers. With 1.4 million members in local stores and
supermarkets across the United States, the UFCW is America's
Neighborhood Union. UFCW members work at such industry giants as Kroger,
Safeway and Albertson's. UFCW members produce the products that are the
staples of America's dinner table including Heinz, Kraft and Campbell's.
The UFCW is a voice for Working America.
|
