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Labor Group, Employees Will Protest on Black Friday Against WalMart’s Low Wages

Nov 22, 2014 08:58 AM EST | By Staff Reporter

While many Americans will be spending their money on Black Friday scrounging for the best deals, labor groups and WalMart employees are pushing for their own deal, calling for the world's largest retailer to offer its employees better working conditions and higher pay.

"OUR Walmart," composed of different labor groups will rally in front of 1,600 WalMart stores across the country to push for the retail giant to better their employee pay, which is currently just $7.25 an hour, Mass Live reports.

OUR Walmart calls for the retailer to raise the minimum wage of its employees to at least $15 per hour.

The group published a petition in their web site noting the stark difference between the living situation of Walmart's owners and their employees.

"Income inequality is the highest it's been since 1928. Corporate profits are at an all-time high. Meanwhile, wages are at the lowest point since 1948 - even as productivity increases.

"No one family is driving this trend quite like Walmart's owners, the Waltons. The Walton family is the richest family in America with nearly $150 billion in wealth and as much money as 43% of American families combined.

"And yet, most Walmart workers make less than just $25,000 a year. That's why community members are joining their calls for increased wages and access to hours. Stand with us and join us on Black Friday if the Waltons fail to respond."

The labor group will be joined by Walmart's employees from more than 2,000 stores

Meanwhile, the movement gained support from U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) who is pushing for a law that prevents employers from punishing their employees for talking about their salaries to them after WalMart was called for unlawful firing, threatening and disciplining 60 of their employees in 14 different states for taking part in protests to complain about their working conditions and wages.

"Hardworking men and women across the country want a fighting chance to build a future for themselves and their families," Warren said in a statement.

 "We need to give workers this chance by raising the minimum wage, providing some basic fairness in scheduling, and fighting for equal pay for equal work."

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