About 100 turn out to support Walmart employees in Black Friday protest.
HADLEY – About 100 people turned out to support Walmart workers here one of many Black Friday protests all across the country calling for better wages and benefits for the company’s employees.
Three employees spoke as did state Rep. Ellen Story, D-Amherst, and others at the Walmart at Mountain Farms Mall. Police cruisers edged the sidewalk, keeping demonstrators away from the entrances and off the street.
Lisa Lacroix of Belchertown, 23, said she has worked for Walmart for five years and only now earns $10 an hour. She said she has been trying to get full-time for all these years. She has no benefits.
Kerry Brown of Northampton, 36, earns $8.90 an hour and has worked there for nine months. He said the company “is oppressive. We don’t get paid very well.” He too has been trying to get full-time work.
Story said that Walmart’s profits are $17 billion. “Someone has to work here five years to get $10 and hour.
They can do better. “With all of us organizing on a freezing cold day, it’s a good sign.”
Some demonstrators tried to hand out flyers to customers entering the store, asking them to stand up for Walmart employees but many shook their heads.
In a statement issued ahead of the protests, David Tovar, vice president, for corporate communications, wrote: "For our part, we want to be absolutely clear about our jobs, the pay and benefits we offer our associates, and the role retail jobs play in the U.S. economy. Walmart provides wages on the higher end of the retail average with full-time and part-time associates making, on average, close to $12.00 an hour.
"The majority of our workforce is full-time, and our average full-time hourly pay is $12.81 an hour. We are also proud of the benefits we offer our associates, including affordable health care, performance-based bonuses, education benefits, and access to a 401K.
"Of course, we have entry-level jobs and we always will. The real issue isn't where you start. It's where you can go once you've started. Retail is one of the few industries that has jobs at all levels and ongoing advancement opportunities.
"Walmart promotes on average more than 430 associates a day. By year's end, we will have promoted 160,000 associates, including 25,000 this holiday season alone. It's businesses like Walmart that can create opportunities for career growth and greater economic security for families."
