Ruling on Walmart Strikes Not Likely in Time for Black Friday

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) said last night that it was unlikely that the agency will reach a decision in the labor complaint filed by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) last Friday. Walmart contends that the strikes, led by workers' group called OUR Walmart, violate U.S. labor laws. The group has threatened picket lines at 1,000 Walmart stores on the day after Thanksgiving - Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year in the United States.

The workers' organization, supported by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), has filed a countercharge with the NLRB claiming that Walmart is illegally trying to stop workers from participating in strikes. Neither OUR Walmart nor the UFCW has filed for recognition to represent Walmart employees.

Reuters reports that the complaint filed by OUR Walmart says that Walmart has told store managers to "threaten workers with termination, discipline and/or a lawsuit" if they participate in any job action against the company on Friday.

Paul Ausick

Filed under: 24/7 Wall St. Wire, Jobs, Labor & Unions, Retail Tagged: featured, WMT