Local support for nationwide Wal-Mart protests

11/23/2012 (Updated 10:48:34 PM)

JOHNSON CITY -- While many people are taking advantage of Black Friday deals, some people are protesting them.
 
Nationwide, several groups of Wal-Mart employees have walked out in protest of the company's business practices and work environment.  They're calling for higher wages and better health benefits, saying that many employees are living below the poverty line.  While no local Wal-Mart employees joined the rally, oganizers of the local protest say that protesting on the biggest retail day of the year makes the statement clearer.

"It's bigger than hours and Black Friday.  It's about having a voice in the workplace.  It's about respect and dignity for Wal-Mart workers.  It's time Wal-Mart management listened to their workers," said Lee Conrad, President of the Broome/Tioga Federation of Labor.

Wal-Mart operates almost 9,000 stores in the US, including two in Broome County.

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