WASHINGTON -- There's no question customers will show up on Black Friday, but thousands of Walmart employees are threatening to walk off the job Thanksgiving night.
Walmart says this is an effort to unionize, but promises it won't affect holiday shopping.
"We think what they are doing is illegal. they have been doing the demonstrations for 30 days," said David Tovar, Walmart's Vice President of Communications.
Employees say they're protesting low wages and having to work long holiday hours.
"The unions are saying - no no, we're not behind this - this isn't about having a union, this is about the mistreatment of Walmart employees and having better benefits and higher wages," said Matt Patterson of Competitive Enterprise Institute.
There's unrest at other major U.S. corporations too. Talks between Hostess and their baker's union failed following Tuesday's forced mediation.
On one of the busiest travel days of the year, there's word U.S. Airways flight attendants have voted to authorize a strike as they fight for a contract with higher wages.
And big traffic troubles are expected at LAX, one of the nation's busiest airports as ground crews plan a major protest march over a dispute with management over health benefits.
It's a lot of unrest for employers heading into the holiday season.
But newly released numbers show unemployment benefits fell to 410,000 last week -- although the numbers have still risen for two weeks because of Superstorm Sandy.
Though US Airways flight attendants have authorized a strike -- the National Mediation Board hasn't released them to do so, so the airline says there should be no disruptions during this holiday travel season.
It's been a week since Amy and Samy Bouzaglo's bistro was featured on the FOX hit show. It showed them yelling at Chef Gordon Ramsay, at their customers, and even at their employees.
It's been a week since Amy and Samy Bouzaglo's bistro was featured on the FOX hit show. It showed them yelling at Chef Gordon Ramsay, at their customers, and even at their employees.
Some of Arizona's top business experts say jobs and home prices are slowly rebounding, but the state has a long way to go and federal budget cuts aren't helping.
Some of Arizona's top business experts say jobs and home prices are slowly rebounding, but the state has a long way to go and federal budget cuts aren't helping.
Their appearance on the FOX show "Kitchen Nightmares" turned into a real life nightmare for some valley restaurant owners. This Scottsdale couple is taking a lot of heat from people.
Their appearance on the FOX show "Kitchen Nightmares" turned into a real life nightmare for some valley restaurant owners. This Scottsdale couple is taking a lot of heat from people all over the country, and most of the hatred is spilling over online.
One week from now, the Jodi Arias murder trial should be in the hands of the jury. Even though the trial has lasted four months now, the interest in it is still high with a lot of people across the country.
One week from now, the Jodi Arias murder trial should be in the hands of the jury. Even though the trial has lasted four months now, the interest in it is still high with a lot of people across the country.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says a Louisiana-based meat packing company has expanded a recall of meat products because of possible bacterial contamination.
It used to be doctors made house calls. Those days are long gone -- or are they? A Scottsdale company called "Stat Doctors" is pioneering a way for doctors to make virtual house calls.
It used to be doctors made house calls. Those days are long gone -- or are they? A Scottsdale company called "Stat Doctors" is pioneering a way for doctors to make virtual house calls.
We've all seen the holiday decorations on homes all over the valley, but have you ever seen a house decorated by holiday houses? It's drawing big crowds in Chandler.
We've all seen the holiday decorations on homes all over the valley, but have you ever seen a house decorated by holiday houses? It's drawing big crowds in Chandler.
You better plan ahead - way ahead - for upcoming Black Friday sales this year, especially now that Walmart will open up stores at 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Thursday.
You better plan ahead - way ahead - for upcoming Black Friday sales this year, especially now that Walmart will open up stores at 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Thursday.
