Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Warehouse workers are ready to walkout on Walmart again


In a press release on November 12th, 2012, Warehouse Workers United called for a second strike if retaliation for refusing to move Walmart goods doesn’t end. The workers plan to walk off the job if the retaliation doesn’t end. They are going to hold a rally and picket line Thursday morning in Mira Loma, California.

Since workers went on strike to protest the unfair labor practices and marched 50 miles from Southern California to down-town LA to win safe jobs in September. Working conditions have started to improve, but workers have experienced retaliation including restrictions of hours, demotions, and terminations.

Workers who lack a recognized union are also prepared to strike this week demanding an end to retaliation and unfair labor practices. The workers are employed in a warehouse operated by NFI industries in Mira Loma, California.

NFI are scrambling to install ramps, heavy metal panels that connect the shipping containers to the warehouse for loading and unloading, water coolers, fans and fixing other equipment. Walmart spokesman, the ever eloquent Dan Fogelman said, “Based on our conversations with our providers and visits to many of the facilities, we believe the complaints are either unfounded or, if legitimate, have been addressed.”

I wish I had this man’s phone number. I’d love to talk to him.

The union of course denies any false allegations. Guadalupe Palma, a director of Warehouse Workers United said, “Walmart must intervene to uphold its own stated ‘Standards for Suppliers’ and involve workers in order to eliminate inhumane and illegal working conditions.”

The workers are employed by NFI and a temporary labor agency thus placing them at a disadvantage and providing Walmart with cover. The National Labor Relations Board is investigating numerous federal charges filed by the warehouse workers. There are more than 85,000 workers in the warehouses. 

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