[News-releases] NOW Brings "Merchant of Shame" Campaign IntoWal-Mart Stores Nationwide

NOW Press Office
202-628-8669 Rebecca Farmer, x 116
202-785-8576 (fax) 

NOW Brings "Merchant of Shame" Campaign Into Wal-Mart Stores Nationwide

June 5, 2003

"As the shareholders of the world's richest company gather to count their
profits, NOW will be kicking off the next phase of its campaign to bring
economic justice to the workers of Wal-Mart," said NOW President Kim Gandy. 

NOW's Women Friendly Workforce campaign named Wal-Mart a "Merchant of
Shame" last June in response to the company's well-documented unfair labor
practices. Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the United States and has
been charged in the largest employment discrimination lawsuit in history.
The next step in the campaign begins this summer, as NOW chapters and
activists take the "Wal-Mart ALWAYS discriminates" message directly into
local stores. 

"Wal-Mart may have the lowest prices in town, but who pays for those low
prices? How does the company make a profit with such cut rates?" asks
Gandy. "The answer is women. Women hold most of the low-paying jobs in
Wal-Marts across the country and the corporation's abuse of women employees
helped it net $8 billion last year, and allows it to continue opening
stores at the rate of
one per day!" 

Just a few of the facts: 

- Women employed at Wal-Mart make an average of $1.16 per hour LESS than
men, and are promoted at a much slower rate than men. 

- Women sales associates make an average of $15,000 per year--at least
$1.00 per hour less than the retail industry average. 

- More than three out of five Wal-Mart workers cannot afford the company's
health insurance. 

As part of the "Adopt a Wal-Mart Store" initiative, activists will
distribute flyers, notecards and buttons inside and outside of stores in an
effort to get the facts directly to customers. Activists will also request
meetings with store managers to discuss issues concerning women employees
and customers. Participating in the campaign with NOW are the United Food
and Commercial Workers and the Coalition of Labor Union Women. 

"Wal-Mart workers need a voice. If the corporate big-wigs won't listen,
then we will walk right into the stores and talk to the customers," said
Gandy. "NOW calls on Wal-Mart to set an example of good business practices.
We want their famous smiley faces to represent happy customers and
employees." 

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