Protesters In Front Of Walmart Decry Company's Handling Of Pay, Holiday Schedules
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — As people spent millions of dollars on Black Friday, some are closing their wallets in response to the practices of big-box retailer Wal-Mart.
The commotion on Black Friday wasn't at the checkout lines, it was in the parking lot. Dozens of Walmart employees like cashier Kiana Howard chose Black Friday to speak out against the country's biggest retailer.
"We chose today, because it's the biggest thing for Wal-Mart," she said. "They stole our Thanksgiving."
This walmart opened Thanksgiving day at 6 a.m. and won't close until Midnight on Saturday. At the Rancho Cordova store, all scheduled employees were inside at work. The protesters were employees from other Wal-Mart stores.
The protesters say they want $15 an hour and full-time shifts since their employer turned a $16 billion in profit.
Rancho Cordova Assistant Manager Sandra Davis and corporate officials both say the company compensates fairly.
"Many of our positions are above minimum wage," she said.
But the Walmart employees we spoke to say their non-union organizing has landed them in trouble with Walmart management, claiming the company denied promotions and delayed their raises.
"I got two writeups saying I have incomplete shifts," Howard said. "My attendance is great. I'm never late. I'm always on-time."
Davis denies the practice.
"We do not retaliate against our associates," she said. "We have a career center where associates can apply for different positions and promotions."
Also on Friday came a group protesting the decision not to indict a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, for the shooting death of Michael Brown. They chose to stand in front of Arden Fair, asking people to avoid spending this weekend in protest.
