Walmart workers took part in a worldwide protest on December 14, 2012 to raise awareness about how the multinational giant was treating its workforce. Local 1000A members and activists in the GTA supported workers in these global efforts, by handing out flyers and talking to members of the public about the need for Walmart’s employees to be paid fairly and treated with dignity.
The protests took place under the umbrella of the UNI Global Union Walmart Alliance, a group composed of Walmart workers and unions from locations where the retailer operates. The alliance is calling for Walmart to pay living wages, ensure decent working conditions, allow workers to join a union without fear, and to stop retaliating against those who speak out for change.
Sunil Dargan, a Local 1000A activist from Scarborough’s Real Canadian Superstore, handed out hundreds of flyers along with his fellow members in the GTA.
“Workers are standing up for their rights and it is about time that people supported them,” Dargan said.
Sergey Zhitarev, a Local 1000A activist from Maple Leaf Poultry, was also among those educating the public about Walmart’s practices.
“I wanted people to see the reality of how workers were being treated,” said Zhitarev, who noted that many were surprised by what was taking place.
Glacier Samuel, a Local 1000A activist from Oakville’s Real Canadian Superstore, also spoke to several members of the public.
“Our hope is that consumers send a message to Walmart that they will not put up with workers being treated poorly.”
Thank you to the Local 1000A members who helped with this important initiative.
To find out more about the campaign, visit www.uniglobalunion.org
