EEUU: WAL-MART VIOLA LOS DERECHOS DE LOS TRABAJADORES

Informe: Wal-Mart viola los derechos de los trabajadores, promueve la "cultura del miedo" para evitar que los empleados formen sindicatos
Este Primero de Mayo, la mayor empresa del mundo es acusada de usar presión y métodos ilegales para minar lo que se considera una piedra angular de los derechos de los trabajadores. En un nuevo informe publicado hoy, Observatorio de los Derechos (Humanos Human Rights Watch) afirma que el gigante de ventas por menor Wal-Mart ha usado un "arsenal de tácticas ilícitas" para promover "una cultura del miedo" para evitar que sus empleados formen sindicatos.

Tuesday, May 1st, 2007
Report: Wal-Mart Violates Worker Rights, Fosters "Culture of Fear" to Prevent Employees From Forming Unions

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On this May Day, the world's largest company is being accused of using strong-armed and illegal methods to undermine what is considered a cornerstone of workers' rights. In a new report released today, Human Rights Watch says the retail giant Wal-Mart has used an "arsenal of unlawful tactics" to foster "a culture of fear" to prevent employees from forming unions. [includes rush transcript]
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Today is May Day, or International Workers' Day. In 1886 the American Federation of Labor declared a national strike to demand an eight-hour work day. In 1889 the Socialist International declared May 1st a day of demonstrations. In 1947 a joint session of congress pronounced May 1st "Loyalty Day" but it is celebrated still as a worker holiday around the world.
As millions take to the streets here in the US and around the world, the world's largest company is being accused of using strong-armed and illegal methods to undermine what is considered a cornerstone of workers' rights. In a new report released today, Human Rights Watch says the retail giant Wal-Mart has used an "arsenal of unlawful tactics" to foster "a culture of fear" to prevent employees from forming unions. The tactics include employee spying, intimidation, and barring discussions or materials on union activity. In one case, Wal-Mart managers re-positioned security cameras to monitor union supporters. According to Human Rights Watch, Wal-Mart workers have also been fired or threatened with the loss of jobs or benefits.

While several other major corporations have been faulted for anti-union practices, Human Rights Watch says Wal-Mart is unique "for the sheer magnitude and aggressiveness of its anti-union apparatus." Wal-Mart employs more than a million workers at nearly four thousand stores in the U.S. Not one of its stores has managed to form a union.


Carol Pier, senior labor rights and trade researcher for Human Rights Watch. She researched and wrote the report, "Discounting Rights: Wal-Mart's Violation of US Workers" Right to Freedom of Association." Carol joins us from our Washington, DC studio.

Tuesday, May 1st, 2007
Report: Wal-Mart Violates Worker Rights, Fosters "Culture of Fear" to Prevent Employees From Forming Unions

Listen to Segment || Download Show mp3
Watch 128k stream Watch 256k stream Read Transcript
Help Printer-friendly version Email to a friend Purchase Video/CD

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this May Day, the world's largest company is being accused of using strong-armed and illegal methods to undermine what is considered a cornerstone of workers' rights. In a new report released today, Human Rights Watch says the retail giant Wal-Mart has used an "arsenal of unlawful tactics" to foster "a culture of fear" to prevent employees from forming unions. [includes rush transcript]
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Today is May Day, or International Workers' Day. In 1886 the American Federation of Labor declared a national strike to demand an eight-hour work day. In 1889 the Socialist International declared May 1st a day of demonstrations. In 1947 a joint session of congress pronounced May 1st "Loyalty Day" but it is celebrated still as a worker holiday around the world.
As millions take to the streets here in the US and around the world, the world's largest company is being accused of using strong-armed and illegal methods to undermine what is considered a cornerstone of workers' rights. In a new report released today, Human Rights Watch says the retail giant Wal-Mart has used an "arsenal of unlawful tactics" to foster "a culture of fear" to prevent employees from forming unions. The tactics include employee spying, intimidation, and barring discussions or materials on union activity. In one case, Wal-Mart managers re-positioned security cameras to monitor union supporters. According to Human Rights Watch, Wal-Mart workers have also been fired or threatened with the loss of jobs or benefits.

While several other major corporations have been faulted for anti-union practices, Human Rights Watch says Wal-Mart is unique "for the sheer magnitude and aggressiveness of its anti-union apparatus." Wal-Mart employs more than a million workers at nearly four thousand stores in the U.S. Not one of its stores has managed to form a union.


Carol Pier, senior labor rights and trade researcher for Human Rights Watch. She researched and wrote the report, "Discounting Rights: Wal-Mart's Violation of US Workers" Right to Freedom of Association." Carol joins us from our Washington, DC studio.
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