by DC Jobs with Justice | Feb 18, 2015 | Walmart: Respect DC
Melinda Gaino has a full-time job in DC, but she struggles to make it. She earns $9.90 an hour as a cashier at Walmart on H Street, NW, bringing home about $20,000 a year. That is too little to support the 45-year old mother and her four children in their SE apartment. Melinda is an example of the many workers who have been left behind in DC’s growing economy, according to a recent report from DCFPI. She is a victim of an economy that is failing to create shared prosperity, to ensure that everyone who works hard can get by. Melinda’s life as a low-wage worker is not unique. There are thousands who work in DC every day but barely stay afloat: the lot attendants who park our cars ($9.72 average wage), the cashiers who check us out ($11.03 average wage), the people who make our sandwich for lunch ($11.43 average pay for food prep workers). These workers have not fared well, according to DCFPI’s report. Hourly earnings for DC’s lowest paid workers grew just 7 percent over 35 years, adjusting for inflation – about 2 cents per year – while the highest paid workers saw paychecks grow by 55 percent. The pay gap between the people who earn the least and those who earn the most in DC is at a record high. Melinda typifies the challenge to stay ahead in other ways. She worked at Blue Cross/Blue Shield for three years earning $15.60 an hour, but then got laid off. She searched for employment for 6 months before starting at Walmart at a much lower salary. Her...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Dec 1, 2014 | Projects
Last week was a week of “firsts” for Respect DC and Walmart associates in the District. Throughout the week, we witnessed the first-ever Black Friday for Walmart in Washington, DC, the first sit-down strike in Walmart history, the first Walmart worker strike in the DC stores, and the first-ever community occupations (twice!) of the H Street store. Leading up to the Black Friday action, OUR Walmart members, inspired by the widespread demonstrations seeking justice in Ferguson and for Michael Brown, joined the Tuesday #DCFerguson march. When the march reached the H Street Walmart store, demonstrators flowed into the store, drawing the connection between economic inequality and our broken criminal justice system. The next day, on Wednesday, around 30 Walmart associates from DC, Maryland, and Virginia walked out on strike and held a sit-down strike in the H Street store. The next day, on Thanksgiving, they arrived at the Georgia Avenue Walmart to talk to customers about why they were striking and to deliver a letter to store management demanding no retaliation. Finally, on a brisk Friday morning, more than 400 community allies rallied with the Walmart strikers in front of H Street. Workers from VA and H Street told their stories: working full-time yet still needing public assistance; or unable to get enough hours to get benefits and provide for their families. At every action, workers departed chanting, “we’ll be back!” And when they return, they’ll return with the force of the community and the entire DC JWJ coalition, until Walmart jobs become living wage, full-time jobs...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Oct 20, 2012 | Walmart: Respect DC
Last weekend Walmart announced that it will delay opening six stores in the District of Columbia. Walmart spokesman Steven Restivo told the Washington Post that “we’re using the extra time to further engage with the neighborhoods that surround our stores and build even more support for Walmart,”. Walmart, which had originally planned to open four stores by the end of the year, now says the first store – most likely at the corner at Georgia and Missouri avenues in Northwest – won’t open until late 2013, with the others in 2014 and beyond.“Walmart would not be altering its original timeline if company executives did not believe it needed more time to convince District residents that low-wage poverty jobs that can force workers to rely on public assistance are what D.C. needs,” said Dyana Forester of Respect DC. The Respect DC Coalition has been pushing the big-box retailer to sign a legally binding Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). If you would like more information on how you can become involved in the Respect DC campaign visit www.respectdc.org or click on the Walmart:Respect DC icon on our...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jul 18, 2011 | Campaigns, Walmart: Respect DC
rnrnOn Saturday afternoon, shopper at the Laurel, MD Walmart were treated to a surprise rendition of Aretha’s Franklin’s “Respect,” courtesy of Respect DC. More than 70 activist participated in the flash mob, urging Walmart to respect its workers and DC communities. The flash mob was led by members of the District Circus Marching Band, featuring Kristen Arant on drums and vocals. DC JwJ Student Action Project coordinator Isaiah Toney accompanied on sax and SongRise’s Vera Leone provided back-up vocals. rnrnMany associates at the Laurel store are members of the new associate-led Organization United for Respect at Walmart (OUR WALMART). Last month nearly 100 associates from across the country traveled to Bentonville, Arkansas to speak directly to company executives to ask for respect and dignity at jobs that pay fairly and guarantee workers a voice. They were able to speak with Senior Vice President, Global Labor Relations Karen Casey about their issues and concerns in the workplace while Casey made promises of no retaliation against those associates who were present.rnrnTo sign the petition to support Walmart Associates and their organizing campaign go to http://tinyurl.com/3fb7fsarnrnFor more information about the Respect DC campaign, visit www.respectdc.org.rnrnDon’t forget to “like” Respect DC on facebook:rnhttp://www.facebook.com/#!/RespectDCrnrnAnd “follow” us on twitter:...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Apr 25, 2011 | Campaigns, Walmart: Respect DC
On April 21st, the Living Wages Healthy Communities coalition held a press conference outside Walmart’s DC office in Chinatown to demand that they put their promises in writing by signing an enforceable Community Benefits Agreement. rnrn“Walmart’s wages are pathetic,” said Ernestine Bassett, a DC resident and cashier worker at a Laurel, MD Walmart for over four years. “I started at $9.50 per hour, and after four years I’m up to $10.70 per hour. You can’t raise a family on what Walmart pays.” rnrnThe 70 demonstrators heard from speakers from a broad range of community organizations, including the DC Jobs Council, Wider Opportunities for Women, the Re-Entry Network for Returning Citizens and several local churches, who are part of the city-wide coalition that has been demanding that Wal-Mart negotiate a binding citywide agreement with Wal-Mart to “provide enforceable community benefits,” if the global retailer expands to DC. rnrn“If they are coming into DC, then everything they’ve promised needs to be put in writing,” added Bassett. When coalition members asked to visit Walmart’s office, building security said that no one was available to meet with them. “It’s amazing when someone says and promises they want to be a good neighbor, but never actually wants to meet their neighbor,” said Rev. Jarvis Johnson, co-pastor of the New Prospect Family Praise and Worship Center in DC. “We came this time with an olive branch, but we’re not willing to be stepped on, we’re not willing to be crucified, and we will be back.” Rev. Johnson read the community agreement into a microphone directed at Walmart’s office, saying “We’re willing to work with you...
