NUPGE-UFCW release Wal-Mart video: Justice is Coming

'We're working with the UFCW Canada to get Wal-Mart to reform its labour practices and stop paying its workers poverty-level wages.' - James Clancy

Ottawa - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union of Canada (UFCW Canada) have released a new video called Wal-Mart: Justice is Coming.

Some of the issues the video addresses include:

• the courageous struggle of Wal-Mart employees to join a union;

• Wal-Mart's ruthless anti-labour policies and shoddy employment practices; and

• how Wal-Mart's business model destabilizes local communities and can impact national economies.

NUPGE National President James Clancy and UFCW Canada National Director Michael Fraser signing Wal-Mart organizing protocol, February 2005

NUPGE has signed a formal protocol with the UFCW Canada, supporting its ground-breaking drive to unionize Canadian workers employed by the Arkansas-based retail giant and to bring them the benefits of union representation.

James Clancy, president of the 340,000-member National Union, says the video is part of a grass roots mobilization effort across Canada to demand that Wal-Mart obey Canada's labour laws, respect workers' rights and provide better wages and benefits to its employees.

"This video is an educational tool that clearly explains why we must reject the way Wal-Mart does business and its lack of respect for Canadian laws and workers' rights," says Clancy.

"We know Wal-Mart is powerful, but we can win this fight, because millions of workers agree with us that treating workers fairly is the only way to build this world," he adds.

"We're working with the UFCW Canada to get Wal-Mart to reform its labour practices and stop paying its workers poverty-level wages and benefits, and creating this video is just one part of that commitment."

In an appalling display of a lack of respect for Canadian law and the rights of workers, Wal-Mart shut down a store in Jonquiere, north of Quebec City, last spring to avoid being forced to negotiate a legal contract with its unionized workers.

Nearly 200 people lost their jobs. The Jonquiere store closing is the most dramatic Canadian example to date of Wal-Mart's abusive labour practices.

"Wal-Mart today has a business plan that lowers standards, first among its own employees and ultimately for all Canadians and their communities," says Clancy.

"Working with the UFCW Canada, we're determined to make Wal-Mart treat its workers fairly, respect the law and support human rights and Canadian values." NUPGE

More information:
• Video Trailer – Wal-Mart: Justice is Coming wmv 300K

Web posted by NUPGE: 19 October 2005