Fast food workers managed to grab headlines last week by taking to the streets and demanding a $15 an hour minimum wage. Wal-Mart employees apparently have more modest needs, as activists today attempted to deliver to board members a petition demanding a living wage of only $25,000. According to Wal-Mart spokesperson Brooke Buchanan, full-time employees at the company currently average about $12.80 an hour, meaning that the living wage would amount to a small pay cut for many associates.
Nevertheless, protesters marched outside 15 Walmart locations today.
#walmart: the price of your poverty job is too high. pic.twitter.com/hJv5iMFEgC
— ForRespect (@ForRespect) September 5, 2013
If Warehouse Workers United is correct, there were a few actual Wal-Mart employees scattered among the protesters.
20 people risk arrest in Downtown LA, 9 are Walmart workers #walmartstrikers pic.twitter.com/zTOfYATUy3
— Warehouse Workers (@wwunited) September 5, 2013
WOW. SWAT team called to deal with Walmart protesters in Renton, WA (via @RahwaOW) #WalmartStrikers pic.twitter.com/ySGcaOmANc
— Working America (@WorkingAmerica) September 5, 2013
700 #walmartstrikers and supporters at #walmart LA headquarters."Pay us enough to support our families." pic.twitter.com/58ostUQWOj
— ForRespect (@ForRespect) September 5, 2013
Charmagne Thomas works at @Walmart. Makes poverty wages while WMT makes billions. #walmartstrikers @ChangeWalmart pic.twitter.com/RnoKzfwQ9x
— StandUpChicago (@StandUpChicago) September 5, 2013
"We are more committed than ever to fight against Walmart" #walmartstrikers pic.twitter.com/l9J5Hpv7jB
— Arise Chicago (@AriseChicago) September 5, 2013
#WalmartStrikers and community allies standing up and and facing arrest telling Walmart to end retaliation. pic.twitter.com/j33LiqDuyK
— IWJ (@IWJNational) September 5, 2013
Union Steppers w/@UFCW 1208 stepped out the shadows, stepped up 4 Respect @Walmart. #WalmartStrikers #1u pic.twitter.com/53Z74h9D4i
— NC State AFL-CIO (@NCStateAFLCIO) September 5, 2013
INCREDIBLE to see North Carolina march through a @Walmart with #WalmartStrikers! pic.twitter.com/X7UqRwirtc #1u
— Rick Smith (@RickSmithShow) September 5, 2013
#Walmart fired Elaine Rozier 4 speaking out but she refuses 2 b silenced. Stand with SoFlo #walmartstrikers today! pic.twitter.com/nVRiLS8lIR
— Alan (@TallUnionGuy) September 5, 2013
Walmart worker Sophonisba telling her story. #WalmartStrikers pic.twitter.com/MPJX39Hhih
— austin (@TustinAracy) September 5, 2013
Ohio: Delivering the petition. #WalmartStrikers pic.twitter.com/vsHcoWi3kP
— Marianne Manilov (@MSQRD) September 5, 2013
Marching to @walmart. #walmartstikers. pic.twitter.com/C7rGKe2ncN
— Patrick Foote (@PatrickJFoote) September 5, 2013
Walmart workers take a stand in orlando happening now #walmartstrikers pic.twitter.com/jq59GjUtNS
— angela4respect (@angela4respect) September 5, 2013
As Twitchy reported, fast food workers’ demand for $15 an hour didn’t fly with many, and today’s protesters aren’t garnering much sympathy, either.
"We have the right to stand up and we have the right to strike…" You also have the right to not work at Walmart. #TheFive
— Anthony Bialy (@AnthonyBialy) September 5, 2013
People on strike against Walmart. Gtfoh you knew the job was wack when you took it. Not our problem welfare ain't cutting it for you.
— oakLAnd (@Eazy_Estevez) September 5, 2013
https://twitter.com/USMC_Nightmare/status/375733242009509888
Unions pay workers to protest Walmart. Unions shrinking every year. Can't wait till they disappear for good.
— The Dodger (@Mat1025) September 5, 2013