Labor advocacy groups blast Wal-Mart

From the Boston Globe, August 11, 2005:

Call for boycott of school supplies
By Anand Vaishnav, Globe Staff | August 11, 2005

Attention, shoppers: A coalition of labor unions, healthcare advocates, and workplace safety watchdogs wants you to boycott Wal-Mart as you stock up on school supplies.

Standing in front of the Boston School Department yesterday, about two dozen labor activists, teachers, and politicians blasted the retail giant as blocking workers from unionizing, breaking child labor laws, and underpaying employees. The afternoon gathering was part of a coordinated effort in 34 cities nationwide to urge parents to shop elsewhere as they load up on backpacks and other supplies this month.

''Shame on Wal-Mart," said Richard Stutman, president of the Boston Teachers Union. ''They want us to bring our kids to shop there, and they continue to exploit our children.

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RAS