Walmart Breaks Law by Firing Striking Workers

The Huffington Post reported here that administrative law judge Geoffrey Carter ruled that Walmart acted illegally in firing 16 workers who went on a high-profile strike in 2013.  The strike included workers protesting at Walmart’s Bentonville, Arkansas headquarters, and the strike was coordinated by the union-backed group OUR Walmart.

In his ruling, the administrative law judge required Walmart to make employment offers to the 16 fired workers within 2 weeks, pay them back wages and salaries, and expunge any disciplinary remarks from their files.  Stores where these employees worked must also read a notice to inform employees of their rights.

What Does this Decision Mean for Average Workers?

In our experience, workers often feel that they have no legitimate rights against big and powerful employers, and their teams of attorneys.  As this decision against the world’s largest retail employer shows, this is clearly not the case.

This is not the first time that Walmart has been sued by employees for illegal workplace conduct and treatment and lost.  Walmart, and other large employers, likely want employees to feel helpless and powerless against them.  This is not new, there is a long history of big company employers wanting employees to feel powerless against their conduct – even when it is clearly illegal – dating back to the dawn of the industrial age.

At Our Firm, We Take on Employers That Engage in Wrongful Workplace Conduct

You do have a voice.  You do not have to submit to wrongful work conditions.

If you’ve been subject to illegal workplace conduct, call us to learn about your rights.  And don’t quit.