Category Archives: Wal-Mart

“We Are All Fast-Food Workers Now” The Global Uprising Against Poverty Wages

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978-080708177-8

March 11, 2018

The story of low-wage workers rising up around the world to demand respect and a living wage.

Tracing a new labor movement sparked and sustained by low-wage workers from across the globe, “We Are All Fast-Food Workers Now” is an urgent, illuminating look at globalization as seen through the eyes of workers-activists: small farmers, fast-food servers, retail workers, hotel housekeepers, home-healthcare aides, airport workers, and adjunct professors who are fighting for respect, safety, and a living wage.

With original photographs by Liz Cooke and drawing on interviews with activists in many US cities and countries around the world, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Mexico, South Africa, and the Philippines, it features stories of resistance and rebellion, as well as reflections on hope and change as it rises from the bottom up.

From: www.beacon.org

To Download, click link below:

We_Are_All_Fast-Food_Workers_Now_by_Annelise_Orlec

P.S.

This is my first post on my blog in almost two years, and I felt strongly about sharing this book, that chronicles the global fight of many low income earners for respect, safety and a living wage.

I dare you to be challenged; I dare you to confront your beliefs, your consciousness.

We are all by nature activists for ourselves, in our work, with our friends, family and in the community, in one way or another. Whether it is going for a bank loan for a new car, selling ourselves for a promotion at work, or a new job; casting our vote in a local, provincial or federal election.

I dare you to learn; I dare you to have your personal values and philosophy impacted, about a subject you may be ignorant of, know a little of or be well versed in——-because knowledge is power, and the pen is mighter than the sword——to coin two cliches.

Peace and out.

Canada’s only unionized Wal-Mart votes to decertify

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Weyburn, Sask., store’s union never achieved a collective bargaining agreement
CBC News   Aug 16, 2013 6:18 PM CST

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Workers at Canada’s only unionized Wal-Mart, in Weyburn Sask., have voted 51-5 to decertify their union.

Although the United Food and Commercial Workers was certified as a bargaining agent in 2008, the two parties have never reached a collective bargaining agreement.

After a decertification drive was launched at the store and employees voted on that, the union argued the process was unfair and sought to block the votes from being counted.

But on Thursday, after the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the union’s application to deal with the case, the way was cleared for the count to be held.

The Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board still needs to decide if the results are binding.

Long-running dispute

The Weyburn decertification drive was the latest chapter in the fight between Wal-Mart and the union that’s been going on for nine years.

Wal-Mart has long resisted unionization at its North American stores, and the Weyburn store is the only unionized Wal-Mart in Canada.

Two other Canadian Wal-Marts have been certified in the past: the store at St. Hyacinthe, Que., and a store at Jonquière, Que.

However, employees at the Hyacinthe outlet later voted to decertify, and Wal-Mart closed the Jonquière store.

2004

  • Union begins organizing efforts. UFCW applied to be certified as the bargaining agent for the employees of Wal-Mart’s store in Weyburn, Sask.

2005

  • Dec. 13: Application for the certification of the union was concluded.

2008

  • Dec. 4: The Union was certified by Sask. Labour Relations Board

2010

  • Oct. 15: Union declares and files First Contract Application (LRB File No. 166 – 10). It does not end up being accepted by Wal-Mart.
  • Oct. 29: Gordon Button applies for a decertification vote (LRB File No. 177 – 10).
  • Dec. 9: The Direction for a Vote – Notice of Vote was dated.
  • Dec. 22: Decertification vote was held.
  • Dec. 23: Union filed Objections to the Vote (LRB File No. 224-10).

2011

  • Sept. 29: Saskatchewan Queen’s Bench ruled votes do not need to be disclosed.

2012

  • Union declares and files second First Contract Application (LRB File No. 135-12). It is not accepted by Wal-Mart
  • Dec. 31: Saskatchewan Court of Appeal rules votes should be released.
  • Aug. 15: The Supreme Court says it will not review the case.