Walmart Workers Protest Over Compensation At Oakland Store
OAKLAND (KCBS)— About 20 people gathered in front of the Oakland Walmart store on Edgewater Drive Wednesday to demand better pay and work schedules.
Richmond Walmart store employee Anthony Bravo joined fellow demonstrators and said the company starts associates at minimum wage, but reported $15 billion in profits last year.
"We didn't see nothing. I didn't see none of that. It really makes me upset that they can make all of this money out of profits and we're barely surviving," Bravo said.
With the chant of "Walmart, Walmart you're no good. Treat your workers like you should," Bravo and the others marched through the stores with signs for about 10 minutes.
KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:
Supporter Clarissa Doutherd said Walmart pays so little in Alameda County that many employees have to rely on state vouchers to afford child care.
"We want them to be paying their fair share and to make sure that resources are not being taken from programs that are vital to our children's health and safety," Doutherd said.
The action comes in advance of Black Friday protests that organizers said will happen at at least 1,000 stores nationwide.
Walmart gave a statement disputing claims of unfair pay and said the protests are not expected the disrupt holiday shopping.
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