Wal-Mart files unfair labour charge against union

Wal-Mart filed an unfair labour practice charge against the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, or UFCW, asking the National Labour Relations Board to halt what the retailer says are unlawful attempts to disrupt its business. The move comes just a week before what is expected to be the largest organised action against the world's largest retailer, as a small group of Walmart workers prepare to strike on Black Friday, typically the busiest shopping day of the year.

“We are taking this action now because we cannot allow the UFCW to continue to intentionally seek to create an environment that could directly and adversely impact our customers and associates,” Wal-Mart spokesman David Tovar said on Friday. “If they do, they will be held accountable.”

“The union is undeterred. Walmart is grasping at straws,” said UFCW Communications director Jill Cashen. “There's nothing in the law that gives an employer the right to silence workers and citizens.”

Protests and rallies outside Walmart stores around the country and other actions such as flash mobs have been orchestrated by groups including OUR Walmart, a coalition of thousands of current and former Walmart workers that wants to collectively push for better wages, benefits and working conditions.

“Wal-Mart is in effect firing a shot across the bow of the UFCW, essentially saying 'Look, you can expect this and more unless you desist’,”

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