The candlelight vigil will take place at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, in front of the Wal-Mart store at 1450 University Ave. W., St. Paul.
This year marks the third annual candlelight vigil that Local 789 will hold in the Twin Cities calling upon Wal-Mart to provide better wages and health care for its workers. This year however, leaders will also be urging the giant retailer to do right by ALL workers that its business affects.
This past September, about 60-80 workers were fired from Best Brands Corp, a plant that produces baked goods and pastries in Eagan. The majority of employees fired made between $11.50 and $16.50 an hour with excellent benefits, according to the Workers Interfaith Network. Now many face home foreclosure and looming unpaid bills. Presently, most workers who replaced the fired workers are hired through temporary agencies, earning $9-$10 an hour with no benefits. Wal-Mart is one of the biggest clients for Best Brands Corp, selling their product in stores throughout the Twin Cities.
"As the world’s biggest retailer and the largest private employer in the United States, Wal-Mart has a responsibility to not only its workers, but also to those that work hard to produce the products that are sold worldwide in their stores," Local 789 said. "This year’s focus of the candlelight vigil is to call upon solidarity for all workers in the struggle for worker justice against companies like Wal-Mart and Best Brands."
Supporters in 40 cities and towns will be gathering at Wal-Mart stores to "pray for Wal-Mart to change," as part of the third annual "Hope for the Holidays" campaign. The campaign will seek to change Wal-Mart into a responsible company that pays fair wages, provides affordable healthcare, and ensures the safety of its products.
For more information
Visit the Wake Up Wal-Mart website, www.wakeupwalmart.com
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The candlelight vigil will take place at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, in front of the Wal-Mart store at 1450 University Ave. W., St. Paul.
This year marks the third annual candlelight vigil that Local 789 will hold in the Twin Cities calling upon Wal-Mart to provide better wages and health care for its workers. This year however, leaders will also be urging the giant retailer to do right by ALL workers that its business affects.
This past September, about 60-80 workers were fired from Best Brands Corp, a plant that produces baked goods and pastries in Eagan. The majority of employees fired made between $11.50 and $16.50 an hour with excellent benefits, according to the Workers Interfaith Network. Now many face home foreclosure and looming unpaid bills. Presently, most workers who replaced the fired workers are hired through temporary agencies, earning $9-$10 an hour with no benefits. Wal-Mart is one of the biggest clients for Best Brands Corp, selling their product in stores throughout the Twin Cities.
"As the world’s biggest retailer and the largest private employer in the United States, Wal-Mart has a responsibility to not only its workers, but also to those that work hard to produce the products that are sold worldwide in their stores," Local 789 said. "This year’s focus of the candlelight vigil is to call upon solidarity for all workers in the struggle for worker justice against companies like Wal-Mart and Best Brands."
Supporters in 40 cities and towns will be gathering at Wal-Mart stores to "pray for Wal-Mart to change," as part of the third annual "Hope for the Holidays" campaign. The campaign will seek to change Wal-Mart into a responsible company that pays fair wages, provides affordable healthcare, and ensures the safety of its products.
For more information
Visit the Wake Up Wal-Mart website, www.wakeupwalmart.com