Protests Backed by Union Get Wal-Mart's Attention
In response to planned protests by workers on Black Friday, Wal-Mart has filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. The complaint, against the group OUR Walmart is asking the Board to prevent them from holding the protests. The company says that it does not expect large or widespread protests. The workers are aimed at improving working conditions and ending retaliation against workers. The company's complaint says that the protests are illegal because the United Food and Commercial Workers is behind the protests, which have continued beyond a certain amount of time. However, the union and OUR Walmart say that the protests are not for union recognition, and are sponsored by OUR Walmart, and independent group.
See "Protests Backed by Union Get Wal-Mart's Attention", Steven Greenhouse and Stephanie Clifford, The New York Times, November 18, 2012