Posts Categorized: Community

Making Change at Walmart joined with UFCW Local 1 and community leaders to hold a rally in support of two local workers Michael Walsh and Thomas Smith, who were recently fired from their Walmart jobs for outrageous and unfair reasons. The rally, which took place outside the Walmart Neighborhood Market in Schenectady, New York, was part of the five-week holiday campaign that is rallying community support to better the lives of Walmart workers and other retail workers across the nation.

UFCW Local 1 President Frank C. DeRiso, who participated in the rally, said earlier this week in an op-ed in the Albany Times-Union, “We’re calling on everyone in the Capital Region to reach out to Walmart managers as well as the headquarters in Bentonville and tell them that their workers have earned better: They have earned the right to not lose their jobs for absurd policies that are never made clear. If Walmart won’t do the right thing, at least we can. It’s what the holiday season must and should be about.”

On Black Friday, Making Change at Walmart released a national ad as part of its “Give Back Friday” initiative to draw attention to the struggles of Walmart workers to feed and support their families. Making Change at Walmart, in partnership with UFCW locals, supported and hosted food drives across the country as part of a goal to feed 100,000 Walmart workers and families this holiday season.

“Give Back Friday” was focused on helping hard-working Walmart workers who are paid so poorly that they must rely on assistance from food banks and use food stamps. During the entire Black Friday week, Making Change at Walmart, community partners, and other organizations hosted food drives in cities across the country with a goal to feed 100,000 Walmart workers and families though the holidays.

Photos from the “Give Back Friday” food drives can be found here.