News

Unions and workers mobilize around the world to demand Walmart pays a living wage

Geneva, 18 November 2013 - During a week of global action 18-24 November, UNI Global Union, and its affiliates are embarking on a series of actions to expose Walmart’s bad labour practices from the store across the entire supply chain. Walmart workers want to know how can a company that earns an average profit of $1.8 million every hour pay its U.S. sales associates an average of less than $9 an hour, a wage below the poverty line.

Coordinated action will take place in countries including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, India, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, El Salvador, the UK and the U.S. The ask is simple:  Walmart must pay its 2.2 million global workforce plus countless supply chain workers a fair wage and treat them with dignity.

Workers and union members within the UNI Walmart Global Union Alliance will be taking their legitimate grievances to the street, demanding that the Walton family which controls Walmart finally wakes up and changes the company’s culture.

As part of the Global Action Week a petition and letter are being sent to the Walmart board cataloging a culture of unfair scheduling, low wages and retaliation against employees who have the temerity to speak out.

UNI Global Union's Head of Commerce, Alke Boessiger said,"The Walton family cannot continue to bury their head in the sand. We are talking about the livelihood of more than 2 million workers and their families. All they are asking for is , respect, decent working conditions and fair pay so that they can plan for the future and not live hand to mouth. Walmart workers must be able to speak out without fear from intimidation. The UNI global family is mobilising to demand change. "

UNI is demanding that Walmart:

• Allow workers to organise and join a union without fear of retaliation.
• Pay living wages and provide decent working conditions.
• Sign a Global Framework Agreement with UNI Global Union that guarantees Walmart workers’ rights around the world.
• Sign the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh and pay full and fair compensation to the victims of the Tazreen, Rana Plaza and Aswad factory disasters who work in the company’s supply chain.

For images and updates throughout the global action week, please follow #WalmartSolidarity or visit http://on.fb.me/18IK72O

To sign the petition, visit: http://bit.ly/1b3jifr

Editors: Richard Elliott, UNI Global Union Communications Director

Richard.elliott@uniglobalunion.org  +41 79 794 9709

To download the global action flyer, click here.

To learn more about the UNI Global Alliance, click here. 

For more info: email trina.tocco@uniglobalunion.org