As a looming labor strike on Black Friday threatens sales, Wal-Mart has filed a complaint against the union it claims is organizing the disruption.
Wal-Mart accused the United Food and Commercial Workers of trying to force the retail giant into collective bargaining by using its subsidiary OUR-Wal-Mart to stage protests outside stores. The complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board states that protests outside Wal-Mart stores have occurred frequently over the last few months.
Our Wal-Mart says it expects to hold 1,000 events at Wal-Mart stores this week. While the group has not disclosed the locations, Wal-Mart has stores in both Paso Robles and Arroyo Grande. A third San Luis Obispo County Wal-Mart is expected to open soon in Atascadero.
Wal-Mart officials said employees must show up for work as schedule this week or face disciplinary actions.
Workers have traditionally faced difficult conditions in Wal-Mart stores on Black Friday. In 2008, a Black Friday stampede trampled a Wal-Mart employee to death at a New York location.
Arroyo Grande Wal-Mart plans to open for Black Friday at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving night. The Paso Robles location will stay open from 7 a.m. on Thanksgiving day until 11 p.m. Friday.
