Jan. 31, 2013 - “Today the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the UFCW reached a settlement agreement that will bring the union’s unlawful tactics and disruptions towards Walmart, our associates and our customers to an end.
“We appreciate the thorough efforts of the NLRB in its investigation. Many of the union’s demonstrations and pickets used before Black Friday were illegal. As part of this agreement, the UFCW says in its letter to the board that it has no intent in ‘forcing or requiring Walmart to recognize or bargain with UFCW or OUR Walmart as the representative of its employees.’
In addition, the union and its subsidiary, OUR Walmart:
- will stop all unlawful recognitional picketing, the basis of the Unfair Labor Practice charge against the union,
- will stop encouraging unlawful disruptions by nearly 30 affiliated groups and,
- will stop all picketing and confrontational conduct at our stores and other company facilities for at least 60 days.
“The Unfair Labor Practice charge against the union will also remain in place for several months as part of this settlement to hold the UFCW accountable should it violate the agreement during that time.
“This is good news for our associates, who have asked us to stand up to this conduct because they understand better than anyone the opportunities Walmart offers. In fact, every year we promote about 170,000 people to jobs with more responsibility and higher pay. Additionally, about 75 percent of our store management started as hourly associates and we have more than a quarter million associates who have been with the company for more than 10 years.
“Our associates can now move forward knowing that the UFCW must stop its illegal and disruptive activities.
- David Tovar, Vice President, Communications, Walmart U.S.