Walmart workers protest, make no dent in Black Friday sales
Bentonville, Ark. -- As holiday shoppers prepared to battle crowds on Thanksgiving weekend, Wal-Mart workers and supports geared up to protest at stores nationwide, openly criticizing the retailers’ wages, benefits and treatment of employees.
Nine people were arrested in Paramount, Calif., including three Walmart employees, for blocking a busy street. About 1,000 people protested there.
In Lakewood, Colo., according to multiple reports, dozens of protestors picketed without any incidents. There was little sign that the union-backed OUR Walmart group’s expected 1,000 protests actually took place. Wal-Mart said that approximately 50 employees participated in protests on Thursday and even fewer took part on Friday.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said that it was the best Black Friday the retailer has had.