Walmart Workers Speak Out
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)“I came to (Walmart) through ‘welfare to
work’ and now it’s welfare AND work,”
Girshreila Green told Metro Council delegates
Monday night. Green, who’s making just $9.80
an hour after three years and three promotions
at a Walmart in Los Angeles, warned delegates
“Don’t listen to Walmart’s promises of
jobs; they promised us 400 jobs in LA and
haven’t made good. Get it in writing!”
Green appeared with Kenny James, a former
Walmart Support Manager from Seattle. James was
on track for higher management “but they said
that I was too nice to Associates.” Green and
James are touring the country on behalf of OUR
Walmart; the Organization United for Respect at
Walmart for all hourly associates nationwide.
Green added that Walmart’s vaunted policy of
an “Open Door” to worker concerns is really
“a broken door” and said that over-worked
and underpaid Walmart workers are “just
trying to earn a living wage and do our
job.” Said James, “There’s a lot of
fear among Walmart workers who are afraid of
losing their jobs,” urging metro-area
unionists and supporters to “stand in
solidarity with us!” - photo by Chris Garlock
