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.
During the summer, most people in the valley escape the heat in the pool or inside with air conditioning. But one Sun City woman didn't have that choice.
During the summer, most people in the valley escape the heat in the pool or inside with air conditioning. But one Sun City woman didn't have that choice.
In one of the biggest-ever showdowns between an automaker and the government, Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching...
In one of the biggest-ever showdowns between an automaker and the government, Chrysler on Tuesday is expected to file papers explaining its refusal to recall 2.7 million older Jeep SUVs that are at risk of catching fire in...
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
McDonald's says a key sales figure rose 2.6 percent in May, with the world's biggest hamburger chain attributing the bump to its focus on value and new menu options.
Cheap eats and new menu items helped McDonald's boost a key sales figure in May, bouncing back from a decline the previous month.
Chrysler is refusing a request by U.S. safety regulators to recall about 2.7 million vehicles to fix fuel tanks that could leak and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
A defiant Chrysler is refusing to recall about 2.7 million Jeeps the government says are at risk of a fuel tank fire in a rear-end collision.
Monday, June 3 2013 11:30 AM EDT2013-06-03 15:30:55 GMT
A Cheerios ad featuring an interracial couple that sparked serious controversy on YouTube brings up an important question: To what extent can a brand manage its reputation on the Internet?
A Cheerios ad featuring an interracial couple that sparked serious controversy on YouTube brings up an important question: To what extent can a brand manage its reputation on the Internet?
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.
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.
