*Sweatshop, Warehouse, Walmart: A Worker Truth Tour*
Warehouse Workers for Justice leader Robert Hines speaks, along with retail and factory workers from the US and Bangladesh, as part of the Walmart Truth Tour.
The tour is raising awareness about the deliberate system created by Walmart – the world’s biggest company – that keeps workers in a cycle of low wages, no voice on the job, and dangerous working conditions.
CHICAGO: Monday, March 28th, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Roosevelt University, Gage Gallery
18 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603
Click here for a report and videos from the Chicago event.
BOSTON: Tuesday, March 29: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Tufts University, Barnum Hall, Room 104
163 Packard Ave., Medford, MA 02155
More info: [email protected] or 617-524-8778
Download the flier
RSVP optional on facebook
NEW YORK CITY: Thursday, March 31, 7:00- 8:30 p.m.
New York University, Philosophy Building – 1st Floor Auditorium,
5 Washington Place, New York, NY 10003
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RSVP optional on facebook
PHILADELPHIA: Friday, April 1, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Swarthmore College, Kohlberg Hall, Room 226
500 College Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081
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RSVP optional on facebook
WASHINGTON DC: Monday, April 4, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
George Washington University, Gelman Library
IBT Labor History Research Center (Room 702)
2130 H St NW, Washington D.C. 20002
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RSVP optional on facebook
The Bangladeshi speakers will also be in New York City March 23-25, and in Washington D.C., April 5-6; click here for the details.
The tour will build momentum for three campaigns:
Making Change at Walmart: UFCW’s vision for workers – in grocery, retail, and in our communities – is respect and dignity at jobs that pay fairly and guarantee workers a voice. But Walmart has a different view – one where it, the employer, has all the power. This campaign led by UFCW and community allies aims to create strong workplace standards, corporate responsibility, and respect on the job for Walmart Associates. Any new jobs offered by Walmart should meet strong standards for healthy communities.
Responsible Government Investment: This campaign, led by ILRF’s SweatFree Communities program, urges federal, state and local government entities to adopt responsible procurement policies to ensure that our tax dollars create demand for decent working conditions, living wages, and a voice on the job for workers.
Freedom for Labor Rights and Human Rights Defenders in Bangladesh: This campaign is urging the government of Bangladesh to drop the falsified charges against leaders of the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity brought forth by Walmart’s suppliers in Bangladesh so that BCWS can resume its mission of educating garment workers, including those who sew clothing for Walmart, about their labor rights.
In addition to drawing attention to the stories of Walmart workers in the U.S., the tour will shine the light on both labor conditions and the repression against labor rights leaders in Bangladesh. The country of Bangladesh, located in South Asia and bordered by India and Burma, is home to 3.4 million garment workers in 4,200 factories, which produce largely for export. Bangladesh has been ravaged by a series of preventable fires at factories producing clothing for the U.S. market, resulting in hundreds of deaths. These fires are all too reminiscent of the 1911 fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.
Featured Speakers:
Kalpona Akter started working in garment factories at 12 years old, working 14 hours a day for $6 a month. Fired and blacklisted for organizing at the sweatshop factory where she worked, she joined with other former garment workers to launch the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity. Internationally known and respected, the Center is a grassroots organization dedicated to protecting the human and labor rights of workers and children in Bangladesh. In 2010, Walmart’s subcontractor filed a false criminal complaint against Kalpona, which resulted in her being arrested, imprisoned for 30 days and tortured.
Aleya Akter is a sewing machine operator at a factory in Bangladesh that supplies apparel to Walmart and other brands. She began working in garment factories in 1994 at the age of nine. As a leader of workers at the factory, Aleya is committed to advocating for her rights on the job and for those of her coworkers. She is a member of the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity.
Born and raised in Joliet, Illinois, Robert J. Hines, Jr. was a factory worker most of his life before getting a job at a warehouse that supplies Walmart stores. After four months of work, Robert realized he was being cheated out of payment for hours he’d worked. Disillusioned, he finished out the week and then quit. In the summer, Robert runs a landscaping business.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Cynthia Murray is the daughter of a Teamster and a former union member when she worked at United States Steel. She moved to Maryland 21 years ago and started working for the Washington Post as a driver, dropping off bundles of papers to the delivery people. In 2000, Cynthia began working for Walmart as a fitting room associate. Throughout her time at Walmart, Cynthia has spoken out against the poverty-level wages and disrespect she and her coworkers experience from Walmart managers. When not at work, Cindy enjoys spending time with her husband, son, daughter and grandson.
Tour sponsors:
Making Change at Walmart (a campaign of the United Food and Commercial Workers), International Labor Rights Forum, Jobs with Justice, SweatFree Communities, and United Students Against Sweatshops.