..Wal-Mart Worker Wins Back Pay; Settles Second Case; Faces New Complaint

[Nambe]

ORLANDO, Fla., July 10 /U.S. Newswire/

After just one week on the job, Wal-Mart cashier Cherie Beck was terminated when she complained on behalf of herself and her co-workers to her supervisor about constantly changing schedules that made managing her life nearly impossible. Beck was then fired for what the company called "hostile behavior." Beck was singled out once she voiced her concerns about workplace conditions. The National Labor Relations Act protects the right of workers like Beck to engage in that type of behavior, called "concerted activity."

In an unusual move, Wal-Mart settled the case, brought by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union on behalf of Beck. Beck has received back pay plus interest, totaling nearly $7,000. The decision to settle came as a surprise, as Wal-Mart historically has resisted settlements. ---

Wal-Mart has also recently settled in another case in Villa Rica, Ga., in which the UFCW charged that Wal- Mart: threatened employees for union activity, spied on them, denied workers the right to solicit for the union on their own time, denied a co-worker witness at a disciplinary meeting, and disciplined a worker for asking for a witness. ---

A recent complaint issued by the National Labor Relations Board on behalf of Dana Maillioux, a Wal-Mart worker in Ft. Myers, Fla., also cites unlawful termination for "concerted activity." While Wal-Mart has claimed to refrain from such tactics in stores where charges have been filed, the company continues to fire workers who discuss workplace conditions with their co-workers.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[noonwitch]

4. The sad thing in Detroit is that Walmart is the only major retail...

establishment at this point that is willing to build in the city. Target is closing their only Detroit store (which is barely in Detroit-it's on 8 Mile Road), and all the major shopping in downtown died in the 70s and 80s.
Meijer (racist republicans from Grand Rapids) will never build in Detroit. K-Mart has a store on Telegraph, which also is a city-line street. The Avenue, Ashley Stuart and Marianne are about the only other retail chains in the city.
I do hate WalMart, however.

[Name removed]

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[barbaraann]

2. They can hire a thousand lawyers, engage a thousand expert

witnesses, make a million motions, and continue to keep unions out of Wal-Mart unless the government decides to intervene.

The corporations have figured out how to make the legal rights of workers irrelevant and only the government can change that. Unfortunately, they virtually own the the federal and state governments now.

p.s. I'm speaking from experience.

[mumon]

9. Joke From Wal-Fart's website:

http://www.walmartstores.com/wmstore/wmstores/Mainnews.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1295355132.1057869924@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccceadcigjhjhemcfkfcfkjdgoodglh.0&pagetype=news&categoryOID=-8259&catID=null&template=FAQ.jsp#quest11

Unions


At Wal-Mart, we respect the individual rights of our associates and encourage them to express their ideas, comments and concerns. Because we believe in maintaining an environment of open communications, we do not believe there is a need for third-party representation.



Uh, let's sue the bastards, y'know, the Nike thingy.

[mumon]

12. And here's where to contact them

Click here.

Ask 'em why they shouldn't be sued for false advertising given the fact that they've terminated people for "hostile behavior" who were merely participating in legal behavior.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

5. At least Wal-mart didn't win this one!

Good old Bush-Mart, I mean Wal-Mart.

;-)

[Trek234]

10. They did win

$7000 settlement? You gotta know Wal-Mart that counts BILLIONS is hurting now!

[Redleg]

6. Bush appointees to the NLRB don't give a shit about workers' rights

and staturory protections for collective behavior. I am glad to see that some of these Walmart cases are going in favor of the complainant.

[ward919]

8. I would love to see a "left wing" discount store chain open up to rival

Wal-RW-Mart! If I had enough money, I would do it. Good employee benefits, living wages, good prices, quality goods, quality service...with a left wing spin! Somebody give me a name for the chain...I might still do it!

[Outvoicer]

11. Y'all Mart

Has that folksy southern touch, but is surprisingly progressive!

[Redleg]

19. Are you kidding me? With their list of labor violations and

pending lawsuits?

[Booger]

13. Wal-Mart is 10 blocks away

And being in Kansas City, with a fimily and a full time job and all the other things that come with everyday life, it's just damn near impossible to not end up going there. If there was more time, I would support locally owned businessss....uh, busni<?>. It's just not workable to actually take the time to hunt out the alternatives.
To me, that's the twist. I don't fault Wal-Mart in and of itself, for doing their brand of business. I would love more alternatives. I'm just not sure where those alternatives are ever going to come from.

[bluestateguy]

14. I vote with my dollars

and they don't go to Wal-Mart. That's the only language they understand.

[Booger]

15. exactly

You wanna join the red brigades, go to europe.
Damn, I'm old. Are the red brigades even still around?
But in this country, dollars vote. And in this case, that's the only way to make a tangible difference. Activism is good. But the biggies really only answer to profit loss.

[reprobate]

16. Wal-Mart is also facing rebellion from the people.

They wanted to build a superstore in Oviedo, Fla. just east of orlando. The people of the area complained and the counsel turned it down. So what does wal-mart do? They go just down the road across the county line into Seminole county and try the same thing.

Guess what? The people of seminole county also rebelled, so the seminole planning counsel also turned it down. It still has to go before the county commission, but it would be political suicide if they approved it.

Looks like the much vaunted capitalist paradym is not as popular as it once was.

[Booger]

17. This is a good

strategy.
I'm often at odds with people about this issue. While I shop there, I'm not thrilled about the situation.
I fully believe that if you can stop it in a community based way, then stop a new store from opening.
I'm also TOTALLY against the tax abatements that are offered from desperate areas to lure a new store in.

[jiacinto]

18. Interesting

I wonder why it is settling all of a sudden.