Recent Strikes in Retail and Fast Food

John Krautzel
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Many employees in the food processing, jewelry, citrus, toy, novelty, and jewelry industries are part of a retail workers union known as the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which was involved in a famous retail strike in 1943. At that time, nearly twelve thousand workers went on strike after the management of Montgomery Ward & Co. refused to comply with an order to institute the conditions of an agreement negotiated by the board. Not all retail strikes involve unions, however. Some of the most recent strikes in the industry have been organized by employees in efforts to battle what they consider to be unfair labor practices and low wages.

 

One of the most notable strikes in the past few years took place on Black Friday in 2012. Black Friday, which is typically the biggest shopping day of the year, occurs on the day after Thanksgiving in the United States. In 2012, thousands of Walmart workers walked out to protest the retail behemoth's unfair policies. Melissa Kennedy of Nexxt says the workers walked out because they felt that they were underpaid. They also wanted company managers to stop scheduling employees for just under the number of hours required to be considered full-time, a practice that prevents workers from qualifying for benefits. Walmart workers do not belong to a retail workers union, as the company strongly discourages employee involvement in labor unions.

 

In April 2013, workers from Chicago retailers and fast-food restaurants lobbied for higher wages with the "Fight for $15" campaign. The workers do not belong to a formal retail workers union, but they are supported by several labor and community organizations. One of these organizations is a group of retail workers and fast-food employees that formed in November 2012. Naomi Nix and Corilyn Shropshire of the Chicago Tribune said employees from McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts, and other major companies walked off the job to join the protest.

 

While many of the recent strikes have occurred in the United States, Amazon is now facing the threat of a strike from workers in Germany. Although these workers do not belong to a retail workers union, they have the support of a trade union called Verdi. Verdi officials have criticized Amazon for failing to implement the terms of a collective bargaining agreement focused on employment conditions. The union is also pushing for Amazon to offer better wages and bigger pay differentials for those who work night shift.

 

As a retail professional, you must understand the goals of retail workers unions and work to prevent strikes within your organization. Although employers cannot always prevent unions from forming, there are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of your workers joining one. Building employee trust, implementing fair policies, and offering competitive benefits and pay are just a few of the ways you can prevent your employees from joining a retail workers union.

 

(Photo courtesy of xedos4 / Freedigitalphotos.net)
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  • Melissa Kennedy
    Melissa Kennedy •
    Wow! What a great discussion!@Norman - Many companies actively work to prevent employees from unionizing. They also discourage workers from considering a union by saying that dues are expensive. Over the past several decades, unions have been blamed for increasing labor costs, but still, minimum wage doesn't pay the bills.@Brian - What do you think employees who want better pay and better working condition should do to get their voices heard?
  • Rosemary G
    Rosemary G •
    Retail wants you to be at there beck and call. They don't care and they don't know how to manage time and people. Any complaints, don't complain.
  • Norman S
    Norman S •
    I currently work for a retail company and they try to discourage their employees from forming a union claiming they don't need third party interference regarding their employees. They further argue that union dues are very expensive. However, they won't say  what the benefits of having a union are as opposed to not having one. I don't care what one argues about unions it pays to have a union to protect employee's rights and further insure fair labor practices are adhered to. One can argue that some union dues are expensive but keep in mind union dues are tax deductible.Its not a question of pricing yourself out of a job, etc. Its a question of what's fair and equitable in the work force. Minimum wage simply doesn't cut it nowadays.  
  • JOSEPH S
    JOSEPH S •
    I totaly agree with the Fight for 15.00 hr increase. One can not live on min wage in this country with the price of Groceries,Gas,Rent etc. Obama due the Math !. As for Benifits even if the Companys offer it to you how can you affors it. YOU CAN'T. I am in Management in the Fasy Food industry and I can't afford it. It is time for an INCREASE  !. This is suppose to be the Land Of Oppertunity But at this pay scale Hell we can't even afford that. So let your VOICE be HEARD!  God Bless You All   
  • Karen K
    Karen K •
    Yes, I have been one of the employees this had happened too. I would recommend that folks would research a company and or speak to the employees who work for the company before applying. I also would like for your website to address bullying in the workplace and what to do about it. Thank You, Karen
  • Alphonso H
    Alphonso H •
    I agree with the workers for trying to get whats needed to help apppropriately support themselves & their families, especially if their employers are not able to provide the pay & benefits needed.
  • David F
    David F •
    I have worked in Retail in sales & Mgmt. if you price yourself out of the productsValue you no Longer have a business or Jobs.Find a different way to make a living ! go to online schools try themedical field it pays great. There no profit margins in retail thus the pay scalesare low.
  • Brian M
    Brian M •
    Retail strikes are completely counter-productive in their effectiveness to change corporate behavior. I should know because I was Director of Collective Bargaining for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) and every company that I bargained with on behalf of retail workers never, ever provided better wages and working conditions as a result of a strike by their employees. In the competitive retail world, strikes are redundant as a tactic to force change. A better way to influence corporate behavior is to increase productivity and help make the business successful. The RWDSU is a union that has seen better days and is no longer a relevant force in changing corporate behavior. The same can be said for the "Strike" weapon.

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