NOW Protests Wal-Mart's Shameful Workplace Practices at Maryland Store

On Saturday, Dec. 17, NOW Executive Vice President Olga Vives will join Maryland NOW and other progressive allies in a rally outside Wal-Mart in Clinton, Md. The demonstration will bring heightened attention to Wal-Mart's discriminatory workplace practices.

"NOW chapters across the country are holding Wal-Mart actions during this holiday shopping season," said Vives. "Consumers deserve to know the truth about how Wal-Mart treats its employees. Women workers are not paid the same or promoted at the same rate as men. More than half of Wal-Mart's employees can't afford the company's health insurance plan, requiring them to turn to public assistance in order to provide health care for their families. Wal-Mart won't carry emergency contraception, and a growing number of the stores' pharmacists are refusing to dispense birth-control pills to women unless they're married."

Who:	Olga Vives, NOW Executive Vice President Duchy Trachtenberg, Maryland NOW President Progressive Maryland, UFCW and other allies Local Maryland activists
What:	Wal-Mart protest
When:	Saturday, Dec. 17 11:00 am
Where:	Wal-Mart - 8745 Branch Ave., Clinton, Md., 20735 Gathering in the adjacent parking lot (Safeway) at 10:30 am

More than three years ago, NOW named Wal-Mart a "Merchant of Shame" as part of its Women-Friendly Workplace campaign. Since then, NOW has consistently worked to educate people in the U.S. and around the globe about Wal-Mart's destructive business model.

"Wal-Mart proudly advertises its always low prices," said Vives. "But who pays for those low prices? Women workers, that's who pay. And, ultimately, our communities pay as Wal-Mart puts many independent stores out of business and forces others to compete by paying lower wages. This holiday season, consumers should let Wal-Mart know that playing Scrooge is not good business."

###

For Immediate Release
Contact: Latoya Veal w. 202-628-8669, ext. 116, c. 301-660-3447

Sign up to receive press releases by email.