Wal-Mart is the largest corporation in the world and the largest private employer in the United States. It has the power and influence to set a standard for fair workplace practices. Instead, Wal-Mart engages in systematic abuses of workers:
- low wages
- few benefits
- discrimination
- failure to pay employees for hours worked
- anti-union behavior
- use of sweatshops
- abuse of immigrants
- displacement of smaller, local stores
Our God is a God of justice, a justice that extends even to the workplace and the big-box store. We are called to seek justice for Wal-Mart workers.
Organization United for Respect at Wal-Mart (OUR Wal-Mart)
Workers at Wal-Mart are coming together to seek respect and dignity in their workplace. Organization United for Respect at Wal-Mart (OUR Wal-Mart) is a group of Wal-Mart employees who are seeking change at the world’s largest retailer. They are seeking support and endorsements of their efforts from congregations and other organizations and individuals. Endorse the OUR Wal-Mart effort at Making Change at Wal-Mart.
A new webpage, Wal-Mart at 50: How Making Change at Wal-Mart Today Can Rebuild America, gives the stories of Wal-Mart associates (employees), warehouse workers, customers, and community and global allies. This multi-faceted, interactive project will highlight people from across America and around the globe sharing how Wal-Mart has impacted their lives and communities and why Wal-Mart must change so the next 50 years will be different. (Wal-Mart is 50 years old this year.)
What You Can Do
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Read a two-page resource describing many of Wal-Mart's abusive practices. You may also download this version, which includes endnotes.
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Send a letter to Wal-Mart CEO Michael Duke urging more socially responsible practices.
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Read the UCNews cover story on Wal-Mart.
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Let us know what you are doing to call Wal-Mart to more responsible practices. Stories (up to 300 words in length) and pictures will be posted on this site.
