Protesters Greet Oakland Wal-Mart Opening (CA)

[struggle4progress]

<snip> "The experience working for Wal-Mart for me was from Wal-Mart to welfare to Wellbutrin," Former employee Vivian Hain told KRON 4's John Friess referring to a popular anti-depressant. "It was an absolute American nightmare." <snip>

"These people are desperate they deserve better," Yvonne Smith said. "They are getting substandard wages, inadequate benefits, no pension, and they won't let them join a union. They deserve better than what they are getting." <snip>

Protesters point to other research which they say shows Wal-Mart workers are paid less and get fewer benefits than other stores provide. Activists also say Wal-Mart drives down the prevailing wage in entire areas causing economic disruption. <snip>

"I come and try to buy something and I see the protesters so I support them," Benitez said. "Me too, on my job I don't have benefits, that's why I'm so poor so I don't buy anything."

http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?S=3775300&nav=5D7ldqI9