ChicagowalmartVideowalmart-black-friday-protests

Walmart Protests In Chicago: Union Groups Target Retail Chain On Black Friday

Protesters Target Walmart In Local Black Friday Demonstrations

Hundreds of protesters joined nationwide demonstrations against Walmart on Black Friday, one of the retail chain's busiest shopping days, in Chicago.

According to Fox Chicago, about 200 protesters demonstrated against Walmart in the city's Chatham neighborhood Friday morning. The protesters were forced from the property after police were called to the scene. Two separate protests of Walmart were also planned to take place in the Loop and on Magnificent Mile, according to ABC Chicago.

Protesters are complaining about the chain's low wages, lack of benefits and what they describe as a pattern of retaliation against employees who attempt to organize. Similar protests took place nationwide on the heels of OUR Walmart, the labor group coordinating the strikes, filing a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Walmart previously filed its own complaint with the NLRB, alleging that the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, which supports OUR Walmart, has illegally picketed.

Despite the protests, Walmart spokesman Kory Lundberg told WBEZ that the chain is on track for its best-selling Black Friday yet. The chain said only 26 protests took place nationwide, many of which "did not include any Walmart associates."

Only one Walmart associate participated in the Chatham protest, according to Reuters. The associate told the news service that his work shifts have been cut to less than 40 hours per week and that he earns a wage of $8.95 per hour working in the store's produce department.

Walmart is no stranger to controversy in Chicago. Its expansion into the Windy City in recent years has drawn the ire of a number of community groups.

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Black Friday 2012
(01 of23)
Open Image Modal
Consumers shop early morning hours Friday, Nov. 23, 2012 at the Target store in the Glendale Galleria mall in Glendale, Calif. While stores typically open in the wee hours of the morning on the day after Thanksgiving known as Black Friday, openings have crept earlier and earlier over the past few years. Now, stores from Wal-Mart to Toys R Us are opening their doors on Thanksgiving evening, hoping Americans will be willing to shop soon after they finish their pumpkin pie. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) (credit:AP)
(02 of23)
Open Image Modal
Consumer Ilda Telamid, far right, shops for discounted boots in the early morning hours Friday, Nov. 23, 2012 at the Glendale Galleria mall Macy's store in Glendale, Calif. While stores typically open in the wee hours of the morning on the day after Thanksgiving known as Black Friday, openings have crept earlier and earlier over the past few years. Now, stores from Wal-Mart to Toys R Us are opening their doors on Thanksgiving evening, hoping Americans will be willing to shop soon after they finish their pumpkin pie. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) (credit:AP)
(03 of23)
Open Image Modal
A Lifeguard model stands outside the front door of a Hollister Co. clothing store, as consumers line up on the early morning hours Friday, Nov. 23, 2012 at the Glendale Galleria mall in Glendale, Calif. While stores typically open in the wee hours of the morning on the day after Thanksgiving known as Black Friday, openings have crept earlier and earlier over the past few years. Now, stores from Wal-Mart to Toys R Us are opening their doors on Thanksgiving evening, hoping Americans will be willing to shop soon after they finish their pumpkin pie. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) (credit:AP)
(04 of23)
Open Image Modal
Young consumers shop early on the early morning hours at the GAP store offering a "Entire Store Up to 60% Discount" ad Friday, Nov. 23, 2012 at the Glendale Galleria mall in Glendale, Calif. While stores typically open in the wee hours of the morning on the day after Thanksgiving known as Black Friday, openings have crept earlier and earlier over the past few years. Now, stores from Wal-Mart to Toys R Us are opening their doors on Thanksgiving evening, hoping Americans will be willing to shop soon after they finish their pumpkin pie. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) (credit:AP)
Black Friday shopping(05 of23)
Open Image Modal
Shoppers leave the Walmart store in southeast Portland where a line wrapped around the store for an 8 p.m. special Thursday Nov. 22, 2012. At least three Portland Police Bureau vehicles were parked in front of the store after Facebook postings by Occupy Portland targeted the store. (AP Photo/The Oregonian, Randy L. Rasmussen) (credit:AP)
Arthur Vardaman(06 of23)
Open Image Modal
Arthur Vardaman of Madison, Miss., carefully places a new television into the trunk of his car outside a Best Buy store in Jackson, Miss., Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, as shoppers still are lined up waiting to enter the store. A number of national retailers pushed the start of the holiday buying season by starting sales on Thanksgiving Day, but Best Buy waited until a minute past midnight Friday to open its doors. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (credit:AP)
(07 of23)
Open Image Modal
Best Buy electronics store employees, at far right and left, open doors to shoppers for a Black Friday sale that began at midnight, in Broomfield, Colo., early Friday Nov. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley) (credit:AP)
Chris Dispenza, Jayde Dispenza(08 of23)
Open Image Modal
Chris Dispenza of Vicksburg, Miss., tries to keep his daughter Jayde Dispenza, 8, awake as they wait to enter a Best Buy store in Jackson, Miss., Friday morning, Nov. 23, 2012. The Dispenza's waited in line for a couple of hours before entering the store after midnight. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (credit:AP)
(09 of23)
Open Image Modal
Customers shop for Black Friday discounts at a Best Buy store, Friday Nov 23, 2012, in Northeast Philadelphia. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek) (credit:AP)
Betsy McGonalge(10 of23)
Open Image Modal
Betsy McGonagle checks her receipt after shopping for Black Friday discounts at a Target store, Friday Nov 23, 2012, in Northeast Philadelphia. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek) (credit:AP)
(11 of23)
Open Image Modal
Customers shop for Black Friday discounts at a Best Buy store, Friday Nov. 23, 2012, in Northeast Philadelphia. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek) (credit:AP)
(12 of23)
Open Image Modal
Customers wait in line in the computer department to shop for Black Friday discounts at a Best Buy store, Friday Nov 23, 2012, in Northeast Philadelphia. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek) (credit:AP)
(13 of23)
Open Image Modal
Shoppers, at bottom, right to left, Karin Carlson, of Wichita, Kan., her husband Jason, and her cousins Tylar Neu and Christie LaFever wait in line to pay for items for purchase at Best Buy electronics store, after doors opened for a Black Friday sale that started at midnight, in Broomfield, Colo., early Friday Nov. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley) (credit:AP)
Terry Hopkins Sr.(14 of23)
Open Image Modal
Jackson Police Cpl. Terry Hopkins Sr. watches customers enter Best Buy in Jackson, Miss., for the early Black Friday sales, Friday, Nov. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (credit:AP)
Allan Abbott(15 of23)
Open Image Modal
Allan Abbott advertises Nintendo Wii U video games he is selling as shoppers drive by outside a shopping complex on Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, in Franklin, Tenn. Abbott said he was able to buy several of the popular games and is selling them below what they can be found for online. Black Friday got off to its earliest start ever as some of the nation's stores opened Thursday night. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (credit:AP)
Bullseye(16 of23)
Open Image Modal
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR TARGET - Target team members are surprised by a visit from Bullseye, Target's mascot, just before opening their doors Thursday November. 22, 2012 for Black Friday shoppers at the Target store in Roseville, Minn. (Dawn Villella/AP Images For Target) (credit:AP)
(17 of23)
Open Image Modal
Melissa Gibson, a nursing student at Walter State College, studies for final exams while she waits in line at a Best Buy Store in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thanksgiving evening, Nov. 22 2012. Gibson got in line at 5:30 p.m. joining others to take advantage of Black Friday sales at midnight. (AP Photo/Knoxville News Sentinel, J. Miles Cary) (credit:AP)
(18 of23)
Open Image Modal
Dina Jones, right, waits outside a Best Buy Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. Jones would like to buy a 40-inch television. The store will open at 12 a.m. on Friday. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) (credit:AP)
(19 of23)
Open Image Modal
Chris Pickwell stretches out on his sleeping bag on the sidewalk in front of a Best Buy in Knoxville, Tenn., on Thanksgiving evening, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. Pickwell is looking to get a 40-inch television, a tablet computer and a Blu-ray player when the electronic store opens its doors at midnight on Friday. (AP Photo/Knoxville News Sentinel, J. Miles Cary) (credit:AP)
(20 of23)
Open Image Modal
Stefan Rood, 20, folds blankets as he cleans out his tent outside a Best Buy Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. while waiting for the store to open at 12 a.m. on Friday. Rood, who has been camped out since Wednesday night, is looking to buy a new cell phone. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) (credit:AP)
(21 of23)
Open Image Modal
Black Friday shoppers wait outside of Best Buy on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, in Lynchburg, Va. While stores typically open in the wee hours of the morning on the day after Thanksgiving known as Black Friday, openings have crept earlier and earlier over the past few years. Now, stores from Wal-Mart to Toys R Us are opening their doors on Thanksgiving evening, hoping Americans will be willing to shop soon after they finish their pumpkin pie. (AP Photo/News & Daily Advance, Sam O'Keefe) (credit:AP)
(22 of23)
Open Image Modal
Shoppers wait in line outside of a Best Buy store in Colma, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. While stores typically open in the wee hours of the morning on the day after Thanksgiving known as Black Friday, openings have crept earlier and earlier over the past few years. Now, stores from Wal-Mart to Toys R Us are opening their doors on Thanksgiving evening, hoping Americans will be willing to shop soon after they finish their pumpkin pie. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (credit:AP)
(23 of23)
Open Image Modal
Shoppers wait in line for the 8 p.m. opening of the Times Square Toys-R-Us store in the lead-up to Black Friday, November 22, 2012, in New York. While stores typically open in the wee hours of the morning on the day after Thanksgiving known as Black Friday, openings have crept earlier and earlier over the past few years. Now, stores from Wal-Mart to Toys R Us are opening their doors on Thanksgiving evening, hoping Americans will be willing to shop soon after they finish their pumpkin pie. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (credit:AP)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip