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.

"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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