Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

xchrom

(108,903 posts)
Wed Nov 27, 2013, 07:21 AM Nov 2013

Former Walmart Exec Leads Shadowy Smear Campaign Against Black Friday Activists

http://www.thenation.com/blog/177376/former-walmart-exec-leads-shadowy-smear-campaign-against-black-friday-activists

As activists continue to organize demonstrations at McDonalds, Walmart and other low-wage firms, big protests are planned against retailers for mistreating their workers this Black Friday. In response, union-busting consultants are ramping up efforts to marginalize them.

Last night—Worker Center Watch, a new website dedicated to attacking labor-affiliated activist groups like OUR Walmart, Restaurant Opportunities Center, and Fast Food Forward—began sponsoring advertisements on Twitter to promote smears against the protests planned for Black Friday. In one video sponsored by the group, activists demanding a living wage and better working conditions for workers are portrayed as lazy “professional protesters” who “haven’t bothered to get jobs themselves.”

“This Black Friday, just buy your gifts, not their lies,” instructs the Worker Center Watch narrator. Watch it:



Worker Center Watch has no information its website about its sponsors. Yet the group attacks labor activists and community labor groups for lacking transparency. “Hiding behind these non-profits, unions mask their true motivations, circumvent operational requirements and skirt reporting and disclosure obligations,” says Worker Center Watch, referring to labor-supported worker centers like OUR Walmart.
8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Former Walmart Exec Leads Shadowy Smear Campaign Against Black Friday Activists (Original Post) xchrom Nov 2013 OP
and many people DonCoquixote Nov 2013 #1
Won't be much of change, then, will it. ? n/t Smarmie Doofus Nov 2013 #3
Board member, not exec, but your point stands. Scuba Nov 2013 #5
New Boss same as old Boss warrant46 Nov 2013 #6
Hey hey hey. I'd say they're just a little bit too touchy. Smarmie Doofus Nov 2013 #2
k&r for labor. n/t Laelth Nov 2013 #4
OOoooooooooooooo! scare us with big scary legal words!!! BlancheSplanchnik Nov 2013 #7
kick brentspeak Nov 2013 #8
 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
2. Hey hey hey. I'd say they're just a little bit too touchy.
Wed Nov 27, 2013, 07:39 AM
Nov 2013

Sounds like the big-box/wage-slave activism is more effective than I thought.

BlancheSplanchnik

(20,219 posts)
7. OOoooooooooooooo! scare us with big scary legal words!!!
Wed Nov 27, 2013, 09:08 AM
Nov 2013

“Hiding behind these non-profits, unions mask their true motivations, circumvent operational requirements and skirt reporting and disclosure obligations,” 


Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck you, so-called Work Center Watch.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Former Walmart Exec Leads...