Protest Against Low Wages at Walmart in North Bergen, NJ
November 28, 2014
Representatives from HPAE and two AFT local unions at Rutgers University joined with over 300 people from various labor organizations, community groups, and faith-based communities at the Walmart Supercenter in North Bergen, NJ today to demand that the company pay a living wage to its employees.
The group assembled in the middle of the parking lot to hear speakers representing labor, community, and religious organizations, as well as a Walmart worker from Colorado, Barbara Gert, who explained how Walmart’s low wages cause many of the company’s workers to rely on food stamps and Medicaid to survive.
AFT President Randi Weingarten pointed out that, while the Walton family that owns the company takes in $16 billion a year in profit, Walmart’s workers are denied a decent wage, adequate benefits, and fair treatment. At the same time, the company routinely violates its workers right to organize under federal labor law.
Video of Randi Weingarten speaking to the crowd
After the speeches were completed, rally organizers promised to come back “stronger than ever” to continue the fight for decent wages, the right to a union, and fair treatment for Walmart’s workers.
