Union Category

Won't Wal-Mart shut down this site?  I heard they shut down Walmartsucks.com years ago? Answer: according to the UFCW, that is a myth. Wal-mart did sue Walmartsucks.com in the past. However, the UFCW legal dept. stepped in and took action on behalf of the workers and the owner that site, and had the courts on the associates side, but the owner of that website decided that he didn't really want to mess with the site any more and gave it up.

I'm a supervisor (hourly) with Wal-Mart/Sam's Club, but during the labor relations meetings, Wal-Mart implies that I can't vote in the election. Is this true?  It depends. Technically, you can participate in the election according to the NLRB, because you don't actually do the firing (green sheets by yourself), and raises (have to have managements okay to enter it in, actually), promotions (you can suggest, but management is the deciding factor). Since an hourly doesn't meet these criteria you can vote in the election according the NLRB. If you want to vote, let  your union know if  there is an election or union presence occuring in your store. Find out safely what union is trying to come in and contact them at home, telling them that you want to participate. The reason you should contact them is if they don't know supervisors (hourly) are interested, then it's very likely they won't include you in the list of areas to represent. Keep in mind that Wal-Mart will fight to keep you from voting if most of the supervisors want a union, but if most don't, then they will push to get the supervisors to vote.

What % of the workers in my store have to sign union authorization cards to be able to get to an election? The NLRB requires around 30-40% in the U.S. Most unions require much higher though, because they want to ensure you all will win.

I want a union in my store, but i don't know who i can trust and ask. What should I do? First, research on the Internet for the different unions and find which one interests you. If you cant find one then contact the UFCW, who will be happy to talk to you about unions. Dont' worry, the UFCW is a union and therefore will not tell your boss or anyone you talked to them. The UFCW will even send someone out to talk to you at your house or wherever you want them to meet you, including allowing you pick the time/day---assuming you want them to. They are happy to talk to you, plus will answer questions you have over the phone as well. If you can't find a union let me know at [email protected] and I will do my best to put you in touch with someone if you want.

If I decide I want to contact the Union and know who to contact, what happens next? Based upon my personal experience when I contacted my local UFCW, I first called and left a message for them to call me back about getting a union. They did call me back, but we missed calls. The person left their name and number and said they were returning my call. I called them back and we talked about the company I work for, the number of people that work in the store, what dept. I work in, what I like most about my job, benefit wise, and what I would like to see done differently (pay, benefits, treatment, job security, being able to report management safely, etc.). He told me about places he personally unionized, and how step by step a union is formed. The first step is to contact the union. A union can't come in without your permission.  I talked to him a few times on the phone, and he asked me if I wanted to meet him face to face, so he could give me the information/union authorization card. When I met him he gave me the information I had requested, plus other information. I signed the card (wasn't forced to), and eventually many people, over 1/2, signed the card without management ever knowing. People started to get scared that management would find out, and therefore started to change their minds, so the union has decided to wait for awhile.

Is this site connected to Union Works? This website does not own Union Works, nor does Union Works own this website.

Are you a spy for Wal-Mart, or do you take money from the union? No. Just because I have a Wal-Mart website that lets you speak out against Wal-Mart, doesn't mean I am a spy for them, in fact, I have stated negative things about them also, so that would make little sense. I also don't' take money from the unions to recruit people. I have stated bad things about unions, as well. 

If I attend a union drive meeting won't management spy on the meeting to see who attends or attend it themselves? They are forbidden from doing so and this would be a NLRB violation. REPORT THIS!

I'm in a union drive, but now Wal-Mart promises they will give me a raise if i stop supporting the union or does give me a raise, but says it will go away if the union comes in, whats up with this? In truth if Walmart gives you a raise then you dont' have a fear of losing it once the union comes in. If its just a promise, then we all know promises can be broken. So if you back away from supporting the union, then theres a good chance the raise will never come. Report all of this as it happens though.

I heard a union will make me go on strike, so why would I want one? The truth is that strikes are rare. If a strike is necessary then YOU must vote on it. That means you decide a strike happens or not.

I don't need to pay (union dues) someone to speak for me, do I really? Sounds good that you can keep your money and not need anyone to stand up for you. Sadly, everyday we see good people that are tossed out on the street for speaking up or for no reason at all, because they are an "at will." So just because you are confident enough to stand up and speak out, doesn't mean the company will listen, and they might find a reason to fire you for doing so. Given walmarts size I would see better benefits and bigger pay with a union. The reason is that with all the bad press walmart has been getting from unions, it has actuauly causes walmart to expand on current employee benefits. So with a bigger paycheck, you dues will probably be less than the raise you receive for a secure job.

I do my job so I don't need a union, do I? Sadly, you are an "at will" employee, so your employer can let you go, becaus your not covered under a contract.

What are some benefits I would see with a union, that I don't have now? Right now we do work the largest retailer in the U.S., but many of us have to make sure we stay on the good side of management or others to keep our job. With a union they can't fire you because they don't like you tomorrow. If they try to punish you then you actually have a voice in a couple of ways: 1---"weingarten rights" ( you can have someone of your choice witness your coaching), 2----you can file a "grievanc" to fight the punishment. Currenly, all we have is the "open door", which many have found is closed more than it is open, and our witness to the meeting is usually someone the manager has chosen and normally doesn't stand up for us. So being secure in your job would be a major change. You vote on your contract, so you might see a higher pay, better health benefits, etc.

I see where unions are dying off, so why would i want to stand behind them? I'm sure many of us have noticed that many competitors against walmart (especially mom/pop stores) die off each day, and that is the same with unions. If the entire company of walmart was union, then they would have little to fear and neither would you.

Who can I talk to that is neutral about union related questions, because I think Walmart is not telling the whole truth nor is the union, or i just want someone who can be honest with me and give me a straight answer? Contact the National Labor Relations board (NLRB) at: 1-866-667-NLRB (1-866-667-6572)