WAKE-UP WAL-MART INITIATES NEW CAMPAIGN, ENLISTS AFT

With rallies in 100 cities and radio spots in 26 markets, Wake-Up Wal-Mart launched a new drive August 16 to get consumers to stop buying school supplies at the monster anti-worker mega-retailer, unless it cleans up its act. The group also enlisted AFT to the cause, again.

“Send Wal-Mart Back to School” featured community leaders, activists, teachers and students with blue T-shirts and black chalkboard banners, seeking consumer pledges to boycott Wal-Mart unless it starts paying a living wage, ends discrimination against women, “adopts a zero tolerance policy on child labor,” and provides affordable health care to its workers rather than forcing taxpayers to foot half the bill.

AFT signed a letter calling on Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott to address the company’s irresponsible business practices. “As the nation’s largest private employer, with profits of $12 billion in just the past year, Wal-Mart can afford to do better by its employees, its customers, taxpayers and the children of America,” the union wrote.