Wal-Mart Workers Press Lawmakers (Washington) on Union Organizing Measure

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Bloomberg

By Holly Rosenkrantz

April 30 (Bloomberg) -- Workers for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, came to the Capitol in Washington today to urge passage of legislation that would make it easier for them to form a union.

The group of about 75 workers from 17 states, backed by the United Food and Commercial Workers and the labor federation Change to Win, said they are paid too little, offered health care that costs too much and stymied in efforts to unionize.

“Wal-Mart does not pay one cent to our health-care benefits,” Cynthia Murrey, of Laurel Maryland, said at a press conference before meetings with lawmakers. “Wal-Mart has made $13 billion in profit, we need a union.”

The UFCW has intensified organizing efforts at Wal-Mart, the largest U.S. private employer, since the election of President Barack Obama, who supports the so-called card-check measure introduced last month. The union is also lobbying for the bill, formally known as the Employee Free Choice Act, which is organized labor’s top legislative goal this year.



Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=avg7TwOFQ9pU&refer=home

[florida08]

1. ruh roh

you know Walmart is working hard to put some money somewhere to stop the legislation. I wish them success.

[MessiahRp]

2. Let's hope these workers aren't easily identified by WM...

They have union busters that operate at stores, let alone this... these people will be out of a job entirely if Corporate finds out their names.

Rp

[Kingofalldems]

3. Dems should demand that Specter support EFCA or

someone will run against him in the primary.