Workers' group files NLRB complaint, accuses Walmart of issuing threats to deter Black Friday walkout

Brett T. | 6:02 PM on November 20, 2012

OUR Walmart, a coalition made up of Walmart workers, has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Walmart alleging the retailer has made illegal threats to prevent a Black Friday walkout by employees.

As Twitchy reported last week, unions and other groups have been using social media such as Twitter to organize a Black Friday walkout at Walmart stores. Walmart had taken preemptive steps to prevent protesters from picketing in front of stores, filing an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board against the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. Workers would be precluded from picketing while the NLRB investigated the charge.

The Nation offered an overview of the legal process and the players yesterday.

US law bans lots of legit strike activity and permits lots of union-busting. That said, Walmart's case looks weak: http://t.co/L6IX1rQU #1u

— Josh Eidelson (@josheidelson) November 20, 2012

Steven Greenhouse of the New York Times today reports that OUR Walmart’s counter-petition with the NLRB requests “immediate intervention” in the face of “illegal threats.”

Breaking: Our Walmart files NLRB complaint asserting #Walmart is making illegal threats to deter workers from joining BlackFriday protests

— Steven Greenhouse (@greenhousenyt) November 20, 2012

CNBC has tweeted that a judge apparently will not issue an injunction on Walmart’s behalf to prevent picketing. Other sources, though, say a decision is not expected before Thursday. Twitchy will provide further details as they become available.