Walmart sues union support group of ‘disruptive’ rallies

Walmart has a long and checkered history when it comes to its labor conditions, particularly since the company's employees are famously not part of any union. Earlier this week, though, disputes between the world's largest retailer and a major grocery worker union got ugly and the issue has now gone to the courts.

In response to numerous reports of its customers and managers being badgered at a number of its stores, Walmart has filed a lawsuit against the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW). The lawsuit claims that members of the union trespassed onto Walmart's premises to host "disruptive" rallies that have taken place inside and outside several locations.

UFCW subsidiary OURWalmart is the group that has drawn the most ire from the retailer, reportedly trespassing onto store property to organize rallies 73 times in 13 states in the past year. 

While Walmart claims that the group has unlawfully disrupted its businesses in multiple locations, OURWalmart has voiced its opposition to the lawsuit, saying that the company is continuing its trend of silencing opposition to its questionable labor practices.

"This lawsuit looks to be another meritless attempt by Walmart to silence workers and the community rather than hear our concerns," the group said in an email to Bloomberg News. "Rather than creating good jobs with steady hours and affordable health care, Walmart's pattern is to focus its energies on infringing on our freedom of speech."

In the suit, which was filed in Orange County, Florida, Walmart requests that the courts bar OURWalmart from any future demonstrations or incursions at any of its locations.

While not all companies will have to deal with rallies popping up in their stores, it's important for all local businesses to look at their labor policies and how they fit within the paradigm of the business sector. Whether you work with union or non-union labor, it's always important to have the advice of a Phoenix small business attorney.

Categorised in: Business Law

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