Laurel Walmart Flash-Mobbed

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Walmart shoppers in Laurel got more than they bargained for when a brass band and 70 dancers from the Living Wages, Healthy Communities Coalition paraded through the center aisle last Saturday. The “flash mob” event was a lot of fun – click here for a short video -- but it had a serious message: Walmart needs to Respect DC. "Walmart wants to open four stores in DC,” said Respect DC organizer Mike Wilson, “but those stores will not be opening unless Walmart signs a binding Community Benefits Agreement guaranteeing local hiring, fair wages, and support for small businesses." The Laurel Walmart was targeted because it has been a hub of organizing by workers there, many of whom have spoken out about the need for change at Walmart and some of whom joined a delegation of nearly 100 Walmart workers from across the county to Walmart headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas in late June, where they spoke with Karen Casey, Senior Vice President, Global Labor Relations, about their issues and concerns in the workplace while Casey made promises of no retaliation against those associates who were present. Click here to find out more about Respect DC, Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @RespectDC.
(updated 7/21)