New Labor Pickets Walmart in Solidarity with Protesting Walmart Associates on Black Friday

Editor's note: The following information is a press release from New Labor.

On Friday, November 23^rd,  75 people protested at Walmart Store # 2633 of Piscataway, NJ demanding that Walmart take responsibility for working conditions in its supply chain, from the warehouses that move its goods to retail stores where these goods are sold. 

New Labor, a nationally recognized workers’ center, organized the protest to coincide with hundreds of other similar actions that took place at Walmart stores around the country on Black Friday. Workers at dozens of retail stores and Walmart-contracted warehouses have already gone on strike to protest unfair labor practices and illegal retaliation. 

The protest was in solidarity with OUR Walmart associates seeking better pay, affordable healthcare, improved working conditions, fair schedules, more hours, and respect.

“It’s not fair that workers are retaliated against for speaking up and trying to make working conditions better, “ said Germania Hernandez, member of New Labor and protest participant.

The action included a two minute “flash mob” inside the store depicting Walmart as a big “Fish” mistreating the individual little fish workers in their supply chain while creating the alleged aforementioned issues.  The tables eventually turn in the skit when the little fish organize themselves to defeat the big fish and run him out of the store.  The protest concluded with an informational picket outside of the store.

“Even though I don’t work there, I’m here supporting the cause of the workers because they deserve more for what they do.  It feels good to be out here fighting with them,” said Lorena Vallejo, member of New Labor and protest participant.