MA Communities Stand With Walmart Workers
Check out more photos from actions across the state here!
Recent Updates
Jun12
May31
MA Walmart workers are ON STRIKE!
Meet David & Aubretia
David and Aubretia are Walmart workers in Massachusetts and on May 28th, they went on strike. They are joining hundreds of other Walmart associates from across the country who are going on strike to demand an end to illegal retaliation against associates who speak out about higher wages and respect on the job. You can watch a video of their press conference here.
During the first week of June, Walmart strikers will be traveling to Bentonville, AK to take their stories to the Walmart shareholders’ meeting on June 7th. Make sure to sign their petition to Walmart!
We want to make sure Walmart shoppers and associates across Massachusetts know why David and Aubretia are standing up and demanding respect. Will you help us spread their message?
Day of Action at Walmart: Thursday, June 6th
May15
Our Biggest Day of Action Since Black Friday!
Join us for a National Day of Action to Change Walmart!
The first week of June, hundreds of members of the Organization United for Respect at Walmart (OUR Walmart) will be caravanning from every corner of the country and converging in Bentonville, Arkansas for Walmart’s annual shareholders meeting. On June 7th, members of OUR Walmart will be inside the shareholders meeting speaking out and calling on Walmart’s board members and shareholders to respond to their call for dignity and respect.
In preparation for their action, community and labor activists in Massachusetts will be mobilizing on Thursday, June 6th to show their solidarity with Walmart associates.
Find an action near you:
Central Mass.: Contact Lily
Greater Boston: Contact Gillian
Merrimack Valley: Contact Russ
North Shore: Contact Mary
South Shore: Contact Edwin
Southeastern Mass.: Contact Edwin
Western Mass.: Contact Jon
May15
H&M Joins Factory Safety Plan
One step closer to justice for Bangladesh!
We applaud H&M and the Zara brand for joining other major retailers in signing a fire safety and building improvement agreement to improve the safety of garment factories in Bangladesh. Read H&M’s official statement here.
We will continue to pressure GAP & Walmart to sign on to this important agreement. Sign the petition!
Apr23
Day of Action Postponed until May 4th
Due to the recent tragic events in Boston, we have rescheduled our day of action to support workers to Saturday, May 4th (originally scheduled to be on April 24th).
Day of Action at Walmart: Give Workers The Hours They Need to Survive!
Saturday, May 4th
Apr18
This Week, Meet Walmart Supplier Workers
Join us on April 19th & 20th and meet a survivor of the garment factory fires, as well as a labor organizer. Sumi Abedin, a garment worker who survived a horrific factory fire, and Kalpona Akter, director of the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity, will be in Boston as part of the 10 city tour ”End Death Traps: Safe Workplaces for All.”
Factory Fire Survivor Speak Out
Friday, April 19th at 6:00PM
Boston University, College of Arts and Sciences, Room B36
On November 24, 2012, 112 workers died in a horrific fire at Tazreen Fashions, a Walmart supplier in Bangladesh. Come take part in a discussion with Sumi Abedin and Kalpona Akter!
Pre-Action Lunch with Bangladesh Sweatshop Worker
Saturday, April 20th 12:30-1:45pm
Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School (125 Mt. Auburn St. Cambridge MA)
Join Sumi and Kalpona for lunch and hear about how we can help fight for justice for garment workers in Bangladesh.
Pizza will be provided.
Action at GAP for Fire Safety
Saturday, April 20th at 2:00PM
GAP, 15 Brattle St. Cambridge MA (Harvard Sq.)
After lunch, come demand that GAP pay 10 cents more per garment to save workers’ lives.
For more information, contact Paul at info@massinterfaith.org.
Apr18
Day of Action in Support of Walmart Workers
Come take part in a Day of Action at Walmart on April 24th! All across the state, community members will be going out to Walmart stores to let management know we want justice for Walmart workers.
The Making Change at Walmart Campaign and OUR Walmart are preparing for another day of action at Walmart stores across the country. On April 24, community allies will be mobilizing in support of Walmart associates who are fighting for more transparent scheduling.
Feb26
Cambodian Workers On Hunger Strike
“Self-organized garment workers at a Walmart and H&M supplier factory in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, have been camping in front of their shuttered factory for almost two months to prevent their bosses from taking out the sewing machinery.
Now the workers have escalated to blocking roads, and will launch a hunger strike February 27—all to push Walmart and H&M to pay them the back wages they are owed. Their cause is drawing support from workers at another Walmart subcontractor on the other side of the world.”
via Labor Notes
Feb07
7 Cents is Worth a Life!
Mabia moans by her sister’s body at Sikder Women’s Medical College and Hospital. Photo: Palash Khan (1/26/13, The Daily Star)
Walmart: We Demand Fire Safety NOW!
On November 24th 2012, 112 workers were killed when a preventable fire ripped through their factory while they were producing garments for Walmart. According to Robert J. Ross, Professor and Director of International Studies at Clark University, 700 fire-related deaths have occurred since 2006. Ross estimates that the cost to consumers to create fire safety in Bangladesh factories would be just 7 cents per item of clothing.
We are demanding that Walmart sign on to a comprehensive fire safety program in Bangladesh. Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger have already signed on to the fire safety agreement — why not Walmart?
