This is not without precedent. What is without precedent is others are taking notice.

In fact, Wal-mart workers, like all other workers, are very receptive to union organizing when the unions actually engage in organizing.

For the most part, the AFL-CIO and Change To Win affiliated unions, including the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, have done a very poor job in trying to organize Wal-mart.

They have failed to support the rank-and-file initiatives and failed to give full support to the rank-and-file workers who take the initiative in coming to them for help.

Left publications have failed in their responsibility to keep a focus on Wal-mart in a way that not only brings attention to their just grievances but educates workers along the way.

But, as we know, these are common problems not without precedent in a labor movement whose leaders support our class enemies at the polls and jerk us around behind our backs engaged in agreeing to quick sweetheart contracts in quest of bringing in union dues, insurance and pension funds.

Organizing requires constant attention from the left wing media detailing workers' grievances and exposing how these corporations operate and the tremendous profits they are making; not just one shot stories like this.

And the their is the issue of these so-called union "organizers" from the union staffs who are usually more interested in manipulating and controlling workers rather than assisting the real rank-and-file leader/organizers.

The union staff "organizers" try to make the workers organizing fit into the "mold" of the particular union usually shaped by some college educated booby-head who wouldn't think of ever lowering themselves to work in a place like Wal-mart to find out for themselves what workers are really having to put up with and endure.

A former Wal-mart worker who was involved in trying to organize one of Wal-mart's most profitable "Super Stores, the Lynn Haven Wal-mart [Lynn Haven Walmart Supercenter Store #1032] in Virginia Beach, Virginia where over 400 of 700 workers signed cards and the union turned its back and walked away from the struggle leaving those of us who initiated the union organizing to get fired without any support;

Or, the staff of the United Food and Commercial Workers who let down a young woman in Portsmouth, Virginia--- fired by Wal-mart because she was pregnant;

Or, or, or... this current struggle is new and different in how open and militant it has become but it is far from being an unprecedented attempt by Wal-mart workers to organize.

Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

Every year there are flash mobs at large box stores and unfortunately someone is hurt or killed. This doesn't happen by surprise the store owners know the bargain grabbing me first mobs will be waiting at the doors ready to knock down all things blocking there way, so why is it such a struggle to get some control and safety put in place to help protect the workers from this sorry sight of humanity?

Walmart is going to die if they don't change their culture to stop being so excessively greedy and cruel to their workers. The CEO pays lip service to associate happiness but he really doesn't care.

So sad to hear of some of this happening where I am from. My heart goes out to all low wage workers and I hope we see more, not less, of these strikes and news about them. People have to know they are being mistreated and that if they don't wake up and look out for themselves...no one will.