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Wal-Mart black Friday protesters to stop picketing stores for 60 days
Walmart workers from across SoCal march in front of the Walmart in Paramount, CA.
(
Lauren Osen / KPCC
)
The United Food and Commercial Workers, which staged nationwide protests at Wal-Mart stores on Black Friday, has agreed to stop picketing at the nation's largest retailer for 60 days.
It was part of a settlement between the National Labor Relations Board and the UFCW, Wal-Mart said on Friday. Wal-Mart had filed a complaint with the board saying that UFCW and its subsidiary OUR Wal-Mart, had engaged in unfair labor practices.
“This is good news for our associates, who have asked us to stand up to this conduct because they understand better than anyone the opportunities that Wal-Mart offers,” said Wal-Mart spokesman David Tovar.
The UFCW had staged nationwide protests at Walmart stores, saying the retailer offered inadequate wages and benefits. For example, a protest at a Paramount store on Black Friday drew more than 1,000 people. Wal-Mart said at the time very few of its employees participated in that protest.
The c0mpany said it has a history of promoting workers to higher-salary jobs. About 75 percent of its store managers started as hourly workers, the retailer said.
The UFCW did not immediately return a request for comment.
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