Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Statement of California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton on Walmart Retaliation Against Organizers of “Our Walmart” Campaign





We have recently learned that Barbara “Collins” Andridge, a Placerville, California resident, mother, and organizer with the “Our Walmart” campaign was fired from her job after being an employee of the company for more than eight years.

California Democrats had the honor to hear Barbara Collins speak at our state convention earlier this year and her story served as both an inspiration and a reminder of why we all do the work that we do. Video of Barbara’s convention speech can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAbGW0JYJF4

We have every reason to believe Barbara was fired because she and her co-workers have become a voice for basic fairness and dignity in a workplace that only seems to value their shareholders’ bottom line.

Employees like Barbara and her co-workers have a right to speak out, to advocate, to organize, without fear of employer retribution.

We call on Walmart management to immediately reverse course and reinstate Barabara and the 15 other Walmart employees that have been fired for taking part in the “Our Walmart” campaign.