News

Dozens of workers were arrested at peaceful protests across America during a nationwide day of action by Walmart workers. Striking workers called for better working conditions and better pay. After Walmart ignored a Labour Day ultimatum, thousands of workers followed through on their promise to intensify actions on a national level on 5 September. The rallies involved the largest number of participants of any Walmart mobilization since the November 23 strike in 2012 and led to arrests across the country. Arrested protestors were charged with "disorderly conduct for trespassing, blocking the entrances to buildings and disrupting traffic".





Rallies, marches, protests and forums took place all across America, with actions being carried out in 15 cities, including Chicago, Raleigh and Washington DC. Workers took to the streets and demanded a change in behaviour from Walmart. Additionally, the social media aspect of the protests reached an incredibly high number of people, with #WalmartStrikers becoming a trending hashtag and reaching more than 2 million Twitter users.



UNI Global Union's Head of Commerce, Alke Boessiger said, "All 20 million members of UNI Global Union stand with striking Walmart workers all across America. Walmart must change its behaviour and start to act responsibly by reinstating workers and providing their employees with fair wages. Their profits have been built on the backs of the workers, now it's pay back time."

Workers protested Walmart’s illegal attempts to silence them when they spoke out against Walmart’s poverty jobs with the longest-ever strike against the company. Walmart responded predictably by firing strikers and disciplining others.

Walmart workers are not alone in their struggle for fair wages. Port truck drivers are also out on strike and fast food workers are striking in 58 cities.



Low wage workers throughout the US economy are fed up. Inspired by the courageous actions of Walmart workers, they’re standing together and saying NOW is the time for change!



Here are a few links to the local and international media coverage of the 5 September actions:



International Coverage:



Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/05/walmart-protesters-arrested_n_3873791.html



MSNBC

http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/09/07/are-wages-or-union-membership-driving-walmart-protests/



Today Show

“Walmart workers protest in NYC over job conditions”



The ED Show

“Walmart Protesters Arrested Outside Board Director’s Office”



CNBC

http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000197061



MSNBC

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/thomas-roberts/52927547#52927547



Today Show

http://www.today.com/video/today/52925096/#52925096



The ED Show

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/45755822/ns/msnbc-the_ed_show/vp/52931017/#52931017



Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/sep/05/walmart-workers-strike-us-thursday



Atlantic

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/09/here-comes-biggest-walmart-protests-black-friday/69062/



Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/05/walmart-worker-strikes_n_3867905.html



Gawker

http://gawker.com/organizers-say-that-100-people-were-arrested-in-11-citi-1263160582



Think Progress

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/09/05/2575631/walmart-worker-protests-set-15-different-cities-thursday/



Telemundo

“Protestan empleados deWalmart”



Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/05/working-at-walmart-what-its-like



Investor Place

http://investorplace.com/2013/09/walmart-workers-ready-to-strike-across-u-s-over-wages/



Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/05/walmart-protesters-arrested_n_3873791.html?utm_hp_ref=business



Democracy Now

http://www.democracynow.org/2013/9/5/headlines/walmart_workers_stage_nationwide_protest_over_fired_employees



Fox Business

http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/2650538079001/wal-mart-workers-to-strike-over-higher-wages/?playlist_id=935446234001



USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/09/05/wal-mart-workers-protest-in-15-cities/2770201/



Business Week

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-09-05/wal-mart-protesters-arrested-outside-director-s-manhattan-office



Daily Beast

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/05/why-we-ll-be-better-off-if-the-walmart-protests-fail.html



Fox Business

http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2013/09/05/wal-mart-speaks-out-on-protests/



WSJ

http://online.wsj.com/article/APc1ec79fa132245ca96a0c0d600610728.html



Salon

http://www.salon.com/2013/09/05/walmart_workers_in_15_cities_walkout_over_minimum_wage/



The Hill

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-a-budget/320455-why-wal-mart-workers-are-striking



AOL

http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2013/09/05/walmart-protest-petition-arrests/



The Nation

http://www.thenation.com/blog/175995/protesting-activists-firings-walmart-workers-plan-biggest-mobilization-black-friday



Business Week

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-09-05/walmarts-charm-offensive



UPI

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2013/09/05/Walmart-workers-say-company-retaliates-against-union-organizers/UPI-95271378413656/



Buzzfeed

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alisonvingiano/walmart-workers-asked-to-meet-with-an-executive-walmart-arre



MSNBC

http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/09/05/muted-labor-protests-amid-fears-of-walmart-retaliation/



Bustle

http://www.bustle.com/articles/4681-walmart-workers-strike-for-higher-wages-arrests-follow



Daily Beast

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2013/09/05/walmart-workers-plan-walkout.html



The Nation

http://www.thenation.com/blog/175995/protesting-activists-firings-walmart-workers-plan-biggest-mobilization-black-friday#



Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/05/us-usa-districtofcolumbia-walmart-idUSBRE9840XG20130905



CBS

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162-57601547/wal-mart-labor-protests-15-cities-arrests-in-nyc/



Salon

http://www.salon.com/2013/09/05/walmart_workers_in_15_cities_walkout_over_minimum_wage/singleton/



CNBC

http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000197061&__source=yahoo%7Cheadline%7Cquote%7Cvideo%7C&par=yahoo



Daily Beast

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/05/walmart-protesters-tell-one-story-and-employees-tell-another.html



Fox News

http://video.foxnews.com/v/2649813952001/organizers-prep-for-nationwide-protests-against-walmart/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed



CBS

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505124_162-57601077/walmart-is-next-battleground-for-labor-business/



NBC

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/45755822/ns/msnbc-the_ed_show/vp/52931017/



Local Coverage:



New York



NYT City Room

What You Need to Know in New York Today: Number One



BuzzFeed

Walmart Workers Ask to Meet With Executive, Walmart Has Them Arrested”



Gothamist

“Walmart Protestors Arrested in NYC While Trying to Deliver Petition”



NYPost

Walmart protestors arrested in NYC”



ABC 7

Wal-Mart protesters call for better wages, benefits



CBS News

“Walmart labor protests: 15 cities, arrests in NYC”



PIX 11

Walmart workers all across the country set to strike | PIX 11



Renton



(All 3 TV stations present)

Daily Beast

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/05/walmart-protesters-tell-one-story-and-employees-tell-another.html



2. KIRO Radio Show 97.3 FM

http://mynorthwest.com/76/2347776/Why-some-Walmart-workers-arent-happy



3. Renton Reporter

http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/222596611.html





DC



Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/hundreds-protest-against-wal-mart-in-15-cities-demanding-higher-wages/2013/09/05/2203c9f0-15bc-11e3-be6e-dc6ae8a5b3a8_story_1.html



NBC

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Several-Arrested-at-Walmart-Protest-in-Hyattsville-222603641.html



ABC

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/09/walmart-protestors-rally-in-nyc-for-improved-working-conditions-93649.html



CBS/WNEW

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2013/09/05/national-picketing-campaign-comes-to-local-walmart/ (Audio on Critical Mention)



CTVhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZecOwoFqAk&feature=player_embedded (starts 03:40)



Video by Local 400

http://www.ufcw400.org/2013/09/following-walmarts-inaction-to-improve-jobs-by-labor-day-deadline-dc-and-maryland-community-to-join-walmart-workers-for-nationwide-day-of-protests-video/





Chicago



WLS-TV (ABC)

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=9237144



WMAQ-TV (NBC)

http://www.nbcchicago.com/video/#!/news/business/Chicago-Among-15-Cities-to-Have-Walmart-Protests/222597251



Progress Illinois

http://progressillinois.com/posts/content/2013/09/05/walmart-workers-rally-chicago-better-jobs-higher-wages-video



Chicago Now

http://www.chicagonow.com/interesting-chicago/2013/09/walmart-employee-protest-photo-gallery/#image/45





Dallas



KXAS-TV (NBC)

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/business/Dallas-Joins-Walmart-Workers-Protesting-Across-the-Country-Thursday-222543281.html



Univision Dallas

http://feeds.univision.com/feeds/article/2013-09-05/trabajadores-de-walmart-marchan-en?refPath=/univisiondallas





Sacramento



9 Arrested in Sacramento Anti-Walmart Protest, NBC (KCRA Ch. 3)

http://www.kcra.com/news/walmart-protesters-arrested-sacramento-among-nationwide-protests/-/11797728/21806930/-/1baqbj/-/index.html



Nine Arrested In Sacramento Wal-Mart Protest, CBS (KOVR Ch. 13)

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/09/05/nine-arrested-in-sacramento-wal-mart-protest/



Protestors Arrested in Downtown Sacramento Demonstration Against Walmart, Fox (KTXL Ch. 40)

http://video.fox40.com/Protestors-Arrested-in-Downtown-Sacramento-Demonstration-Against-Walmart-25134086



Walmart workers Protest Wages, ABC (KXTV 10)

http://www.news10.net/video/default.aspx?bctid=2652498353001



Walmart protesters arrested in Sacramento, Sacramento Bee

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/09/06/5711827/wal-mart-protesters-arrested-in.html



Wal-Mart Protests in Sacramento, KFBK news radio

http://www.kfbk.com/photos/local-news/september-5-2013-walmart-protests-in-365876/#/0/21518872





San Francisco



Labor Notes

http://www.labornotes.org/2013/09/hundred-arrested-protesting-walmart-firings



KRON4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_XDd5_fCb3s



Indy Bay

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2013/09/05/18742787.php



SF Gate

http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Police-arrest-21-people-in-LA-Wal-Mart-protest-4790853.php



ABC

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/business&id=9237703



Daily Cal

http://www.dailycal.org/2013/09/05/robert-reich-petition-calls-for-increased-minimum-wage/



Beyond Chron

http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/24_Walmart_Protesters_Arrested_At_Demonstrations_In_New_York_And_Los_Angeles_11805.html



San Francisco Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2013/09/walmart-workers-strike-again-in-san.html



Beyond Chron

http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/Fired_for_Striking_Walmart_Worker_Fights_Back_11799.html



KTUV

http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/national/walmart-workers-planning-massive-strike/nZmY8/





Los Angeles



NBC

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Walmart-Workers-Protest-Poverty-Wages-15-Cities-222519691.html



CBS

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/09/05/walmart-workers-community-supports-to-protest-for-better-jobs-higher-wages/



LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-walmart-protesters-chinatown-20130905,0,1863821.story



KPCC

http://www.scpr.org/blogs/economy/2013/09/08/14682/hundreds-of-labor-leaders-look-to-the-future-at-af





Other



Lowell Sun

http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_24040411/protest-hits-chelmsford-walmart



UT San Diego

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/Sep/05/wal-mart-workers-protest-in-ny-over-job-conditions/



CBC

http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2013/09/wal-mart-picket-line-protesters-mobilize-on-social-media.html



CBC

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2013/09/05/business-walmart-labour.html



Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24026316/protests-planned-walmart-store-lakewood



Atlanta Black Start

http://atlantablackstar.com/2013/09/05/job-action-walmart-brings-scrutiny-companys-inadequate-wages/



NBC

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/business/Dallas-Joins-Walmart-Workers-Protesting-Across-the-Country-Thursday-222543281.html



NBC

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Walmart-Workers-Protest-Poverty-Wages-in-15-Cities-Also-in-Miami-Gardens-222533951.html



Cincinnati Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2013/09/04/cincinnati-walmart-employees-expected.html



ABC

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=9237144



ABC

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/business&id=9237703



Union Advocate

http://advocate.stpaulunions.org/2013/09/06/protesters-call-on-walmart-to-stop-targeting-workers-organizing-for-change/



Crescent News

http://www.crescent-news.com/opinion/2013/09/05/jay-ambrose-minimum-wage-equals-minimum-sense