On November 29, Black Friday 2013, Walmart employees, family members, and allies protested at hundreds of Walmart stores across the U.S. to demand improved working conditions, including increased wages, full-time jobs, and an end to retaliatory practices against those who stand up for workers' rights. Numerous workers chose to strike for the day, despite the fact that Walmart commonly fires striking and protesting workers. Strikers were members of OUR Walmart, a non-union workers group that draws support from the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) union.

In Roseville, over 100 people including Walmart Associates, labor union leaders, and community activists converged on the Walmart on Pleasant Grove Boulevard. “We're standing with Walmart Associates across the nation today,” said Meisha Bradley, who works at the Florin Road Walmart and is a member of OUR Walmart. “I consider this protest to be a big success - we got young and old people here today and we’re going to win this fight together." Roseville police arrested 15 people for failure to disperse while blocking a street near the store.

In Clovis, protesters held signs in front of the Shaw avenue Walmart. Walmart employee Anthony Goytia said, “I am a father of three. With the insufficient hours and the low pay that I get at Walmart, I will make around $12,000 this year. I don’t need cable or to own a house, but I shouldn’t have to rely on food stamps or donate plasma just to feed my kids when I have a job.”

In San Leandro, more than six hundred people protested at the Hesperian Boulevard Walmart. The Brass Liberation Orchestra performed. San Leandro police arrested 15 people for failure to disperse as they blocked a street near the store. In the evening, a large dollar sign in the parking lot was set on fire.

Roseville report | Fresno/Covis report | San Leandro announcement | OUR Walmart website

Previous Related Indybay Feature: Richmond and San Leandro Walmart Workers Protest in National Action on Black Friday 2012