Walmart Workers On Welfare: Protests In Midway & Portland Amidst Black Friday Shopping, 500 Workers Demand Higher Wages And Sick Leave

Walmart workers on welfare - Rather than enjoy a day of incredible deals and shopping, almost 500 workers of Walmart headed out to the intersection of University of St. Paul and Snelling. The said workers were protesting for higher wages and demanding for sick leaves.

While a number of holiday shoppers rushed to Walmart for their Black Friday deals, a number of people present at Walmart weren't in it for the shopping. Walmart workers on welfare charged St Paul's Midway shopping district in protest for higher wages and sick leaves for employees.

Police were already in the area following the Walmart workers on welfare, which reportedly started at around 10 in the morning. Joining the 500 workers were a few members of the Take Action Minnesota, St. Paul's Federation of Teachers and the Teamsters union. Former employees for McDonald's and Walmart were also present at the protest.

The incidence of the Walmart workers on welfare in Midway is one out of 200-300 protests happening nationwide. A spokeswoman for Walmart, Kayla Whaling, has already made a statement regarding the protests. Whaling claims that these "scheduled protests never materialize" in the past three years.

"Protesters are from paid union groups and not our Wal-Mart associates. These large gatherings often involve hundreds of paid union people and maybe one or two of our associates," adds Whaling in a report by the Star Tribune.

Following the incidence of Walmart workers on welfare, would Walmart's management improve the treatment of its employees? Over the past two years, Walmart has yet to make improvements with regards to wages and leaves given to their employees.

With around 300 recorded incidents on Walmart workers on welfare, it could be likely that workers are winning the battle. In addition to the protests happening in Midway, another protest had been reported in Portland. The protest of Portland Black Friday is said to be one out of 100 in numerous Walmart stores across the United States.