Wake Up Wal-Mart
Encyclopedia
Wake Up Wal-Mart is a campaign group founded by United Food and Commercial Workers Union. It is based in Washington, D.C.
and is often critical of the business practices of Walmart, the world’s largest retailer
, and the largest private employer
in the United States
. The group claims Wal-Mart is currently offering its employees substandard wages and health care benefits, and has called on the retailer to improve both. Wake Up Wal-Mart was founded April 5, 2005 and maintains the web site WakeupWalMart.com, the centerpiece of the organization.
.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and is often critical of the business practices of Walmart, the world’s largest retailer
Retailing
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
, and the largest private employer
Employment
Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:- Employee :...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The group claims Wal-Mart is currently offering its employees substandard wages and health care benefits, and has called on the retailer to improve both. Wake Up Wal-Mart was founded April 5, 2005 and maintains the web site WakeupWalMart.com, the centerpiece of the organization.
Purpose
The group argues that Wal-Mart pays "poverty wages", relies on public health care rather than providing its employees with healthcare, and is, in general, harmful to communities.Wal-Mart Workers of America
In 2005, the group formed an organization called "Wal-Mart Workers of America". The group said that the purpose of the new organization is to assist past and present Wal-Mart employees, but that it is not a formal labor unionTrade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
.
See also
- Criticism of Wal-MartCriticism of Wal-MartWal-Mart has been subject to criticism by various groups and individuals. Among these are some labor unions, community groups, grassroots organizations, religious organizations, environmental groups and Wal-Mart customers. They have protested against Wal-Mart, the company's policies and business...
- Walmart Watch
- Working Families for Wal-MartWorking Families for Wal-MartWorking Families for Walmart is an advocacy group formed by Walmart and the Edelman public relations firm on December 20, 2005. It has been used to praise Wal-Mart in a show of opposition to union-funded groups such as Wake Up Wal-Mart and Wal-Mart Watch. The group is financially supported by...
- Whirl-MartWhirl-MartWhirl-Mart is a culture jamming ritual aimed at retail superstores and described by participants as "art and action."An event consists of a group of supposed shoppers who congregate at a large superstore and slowly push empty shopping carts silently through store aisles...