ORGANIZERS USING INTERNET TO GROW BOYCOTT OF WALMART ON BLACK FRIDAY November 10, 2012
(NATIONAL) -- It is called “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving and it is one of the biggest shopping days of the year.
But labor organizers are hoping this year’s Black Friday is very different for Walmart stores across the country.
They’re planning a nationwide strike that day against the world’s largest retailer and they are using the Internet to organize n a “viral” manner.
Labor organizers have formed a coalition with a social action nonprofit group called Engage Network and a corporate watchdog nonprofit group called Corporate Action Network.
They’re trying to enlist Walmart workers nationwide to join in the strike that day with a website here to find a store near them with strike already organized or to adopt and event at a store near them. Supporters can also sponsor a striking worker, who may be losing wages in order to strike, by donating grocery gift cards.
The strike campaign is also mobilizing strikers and supporters through a Facebook app, multiple Facebook pages, a Tumblr and Twitter with the hashtag #walmartstrikers.
Leaders of the strike have produced the video below to promote the event and to explain why some Walmart workers will be striking on Black Friday even though they do not belong to a union:
"Making Change at Walmart," which is a campaign affiliated with the UFCW union, has over 25,000 supporters on Facebook.
