Walmart protesters arrested in NYC
Three protesters were arrested yesterdšay outside the swanky offices of a New York-based Walmart director as they raised hackš§øles over the mega-retailerās skimpy wages and benefits.
Walmart board member Chris Williams, CEO of investment bank Williams Capital Group, declined to meet with the protesters, who had gathered outside his office at 650 Fifth Ave. to present a petition dź¦šemanding better working conditions.
āIn my store, the part-time employees most of the time work five days a week,āš said Barbara Gertz, a Denver-based Walmart worker, one of those arrested.
āTheyāre not paying overtime and theyāre not špaying benefits,ā Gertz told ThešØ Post.
An official at Williams Cašŗpital Group said the fišrmās CEO had no comment.
The union-backed demoną¼ŗstratiź¦on was part of a Boston-to-Los Angeles nationwide blitz.
Walmart spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan blasted the demonstrations as ānothing but a union-orchestrated stunt to … garner attention.ā
āThe majority of them are paid activists ā theyāre union ąµ²members,ā Buchanan said. āTheyāre not Walmart associates.ā
Protesters have countered that Walmart uses intimidation tactics tš¼o prevent workers from participating in demonstrations.
Gertz said she was disciplined after joiningą·“ about 60 other employees on a trip to Walmartās Arkansas headquarters for a June demonstration.
Walmart reversed its disciplinary action last week aftešr determining that Gertz had gišven adequate notice of her trip, Buchanan said.