'Walmart at 50' Retail Worker Parade Today
Thursday, May 31, 2012
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
It's pretty rare for Walmart to back away
from a challenge. The world's largest retailer
– which celebrates 50 years in business
this year -- has been known to fly
union-busters from headquarters in Arkansas to
intimidate and fire organizers in a single day.
So when Walmart announced it would delay its
six DC openings by at least a year, it
represented a major victory for local activists
at groups like Respect DC and Ward 4 Thrives.
Respect DC is celebrating that win today with a
festive parade through DC to
showcase the changes Walmart needs to make if
it wants to come into DC. There will be
convertibles, floats, stilt walkers, face
painters, clowns, motorcycles, bikes and more,
including supporters from the labor and
religious communities. The parade -- led
by Reverend Edwin Jones, UFCW
VP Pat O’Neill, NOW
VP Alendra Letsome,
Metro Council President Jos Williams, UFCW 400
President Tom McNutt and
Walmart Associate Sharon Ramirez
-- begins at 11a
at the site of the proposed Walmart at 801 New
Jersey Ave NW and proceeds to a street party in
front of Walmart's DC offices at 8th and G
NW.
- adapted from a
report in the JUFJ News; photo courtesy
JUFJ