US: Protests greet shoppers at Wal-Marts
Wal-Mart workers and their supporters marched in protest at stores across the U.S. as the Thanksgiving holiday turned into the feverish start of Christmas shopping season, angry at the wages, benefits and treatment of employees at the world's largest retailer.
The efforts seemed to do little to keep shoppers away. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it was its best day-after-Thanksgiving ever.
In Paramount, California, authorities arrested nine people, including three Wal-Mart employees, for blocking a busy street outside a store. Sheriff's Capt. Mike Parker said they were cited and released on misdemeanor charges.
At its height, authorities said, the protest drew about 1,000 people.
“A lot more people showed up than I anticipated, but that just shows you the kind of support we have,'' said Wal-Mart employee Carlton Smith, who added he was one of 19 store employees taking part.
“We have a common interest in making this great company better.''
Wal-Mart for many years has faced intense scrutiny over its wage and benefit policies and treatment of its workers. Fogleman said the company provides some of the best jobs in the retail industry and that its wages and benefits typically meet or exceed those of competitors.
The company operates 10,400 stores in 27 countries.
In Lakewood, Colorado, shoppers hesitated as they passed dozens of protesters outside a Wal-Mart but entered without incident. Some protesters held signs accusing the company of corporate greed and underpaying its workers.
“This is the way you get a fair shake. You've got
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