"Black Friday protests held against Wal-Mart in Salem, Danvers"

“While shoppers flooded Wal-Mart in Salem and Danvers for Black Friday deals, others lined up by the stores to boost awareness for the workers inside.

Members of the Massachusetts Jobs with Justice and Massachusetts Interfaith Worker Justice coalitions came together at about 50 Wal-Mart locations around the state to demand higher wages and better working conditions for employees that they say don’t have adequate rights on the job.

Many of the protests were held in the early afternoon hours on Black Friday, one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

Those protesting at the locations held hand-written and printed signs with phrases like ‘I stand with #WalmartStrikers’ and ‘Wal-Mart, treat your workers fairly, justly. Do the right thing.’

Paul Drake, who led the protest in front of Salem’s Wal-Mart location, said employees struggle with low wages, scheduling demands that don’t accommodate their needs and management styles that leave them voiceless.”

NewspaperGuest UserNovember 8, 2014Walmart, Black Friday

"Protests loom at Bay State Walmarts"

“Demonstrations are planned at two Massachusetts Walmarts to protest alleged company retaliation against 80 workers who went on strike in June — including two Bay Staters — and the firings of 20 others.

The union-backed protests will be staged today in Chicopee and Saturday in Chelmsford. They follow similar events scheduled yesterday in 14 other cities.

David Coulumbe, a cart pusher at the Chelmsford Walmart, and Chicopee cashier Aubretia Edick received warnings for excessive absences after their strike participation, according to Russ Davis, executive director of Massachusetts Jobs With Justice.”

NewspaperGuest UserNovember 26, 2013Black Friday, Walmart, Strikes