Standing with Walmart Workers
Walmart sets the standard for the low-wage economy. As the nation’s largest employer with 1.3 million employees in every part of the country, and as the largest employer of women, black and Latino workers, the company’s practices have powerful influence over other large employers across our entire country. The company’s embrace of low-wage, part-time, and unpredictable work virtually guarantees this kind of work is the new normal, if not challenged.
Through OUR Walmart, Walmart workers have been coming together to improve conditions, including winning an increase in base pay to $10/hr, starting this year. But it is not enough to live on, especially for part-time workers or at Walmart’s definition of full time – only 34 hours a week.
Building lasting change at Walmart
Walmart workers have built an innovative digital tool, called WorkIt, to help Walmart workers work together to organize for real, lasting change at Walmart. But we need your help to get it into their hands. Please sign up here to join us and visit a local Walmart store on Black Friday to give worker’s information about this tool. You can read our in-depth interview with OUR Walmart leaders about Workit and their strategy for building unity and power among Walmart workers here.
After please share your support for Walmart workers by posting your message on social media using #WalmartStrikers. The #walmartstrikers hashtag is used throughout the year by members of OUR Walmart and supporters as they share stories and support for the people who work at Walmart.
Below is a prayer written in support of Walmart workers and our shared fight for dignity and human rights. Please share this prayer with your family on Thanksgiving, and take action on Black Friday.
A Prayer for Thanksgiving
Written by a group of faith leaders in support of OUR Walmart
Spirit of Life/Most Divine/God/Beloved Community/Creator,
We give thanks. We give thanks for those of us gathered at table. We give thanks to those who bring us this day our food. We give thanks for the food farmers and workers collected. We give thanks for the hands who helped set this table: factory workers, construction workers, truck drivers, mechanics, stock people, cashiers, managers.
This Black Friday, we remember that we are not replaceable, we are priceless. We remember community and compassion can see us through the coming winter, storms and tribulations. We remember we are blessed to have each other after ages of struggle.
You are a God of compassion and justice, Who has taught us to pursue a more just and sacred society, built upon foundations of fairness and love. As we enjoy this delicious meal surrounded by loved ones and dear friends, we turn our hearts inward to You this Thanksgiving, Oh God, with thanks for the blessings you have bestowed upon us, so evident here on this special day.
And we lift up Walmart workers and other low-wage workers in our nation all days but especially tonight and tomorrow as they claim their voice. We join our voice to theirs; they remind us of all that we are and all that we fight for. We give them our thanks, our love, and our support.
Amen