WalMart Employees Rally with Supporters in Dallas
The "Rally for Respect" in Griggs Park in downtown Dallas on September 22 brought about 200 WalMart employees and their supporters. Machinists, Communications Workers, Auto Workers, and Food & Commercial Workers were among the unions represented. From the community came Jobs with Justice, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, and the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans.
Supporters included some political big guns, including State Representative Roberto Alonzo and City Councilman Steve Salazar. Councilwoman Delia Jasso wrote that she wanted to come but had to miss because of a scheduling conflict. Many of the speakers were actual WalMart workers with personal experiences to relate. The worldwide importance of the WalMart organizing drive was noted several times.
Two television cameramen recorded the proceedings and went with us when we marched to the nearby WalMart store on Hiway 75.
Jobs with Justice worked with the Organization United For Respect at WalMart (Our WalMart) worked for months to bring the rally to fruition. They met at UAW Local 848 hall in Grand Prairie since July. Organizer Kevin Blair believes that many more exciting things are coming up with this group. He is looking for volunteers who believe, as he and I do, that the WalMart organizing drive is at the very center of the struggle for justice today.
Volunteer to help by sending a message of solidarity to http://afl.salsalabs.com/o/4023/c/206/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4893
I'll put more photos on Facebook: Gene Lantz and Dallas AFL CIO. Bunch of photos at http://www.demotix.com/news/1470093/labor-marches-walmart-better-working-conditions/all-media
In solidarity
Gene