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Group holds ‘Santa-on-strike’ demonstration at Walmart in Florence, protesting holiday pay policy


A group organizing protests about Walmart’s holiday pay policies demonstrated Tuesday at the store on Doering Dr. in Florence.

It was the 10th Santa-on-strike even of 13 planned in 11 states.

Making Change at Walmart (MCAW), in partnership with United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 75 joined Santas, Grinches, and members of the Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center outside the store to demand the retailer bring back the holiday pay it eliminated in 2016.

According to a 2014 statement by Walmart the retailer spent over $70 million that year in holiday pay, which is pay now taken away from workers.

“Today, shoppers, workers, allies, and activists joined together outside of Walmart to demand better for our community and families. Holiday pay is something Walmart workers have earned and deserved; I know because I used to work at Walmart. I know what it’s like to work hard and rely on that extra pay to help get through the holidays and taking that opportunity away from 1.5 million people does not reflect the spirit of the holiday season or real American values. It’s time Walmart brings back holiday pay for its workers.” said Bonnie Frank UFCW Local 75 representative and former Walmart worker of 16 years.

The event featured a picket line of Santas on strike calling for the reinstatement of Walmart’s holiday pay as well as statements from Brennan Grayson with the Cincinnati Interfaith Workers and Frank, a UFCW Local 75 representative. 

The group also handed out informational flyers and collected signatures for an online petition. 


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One Comment

  1. Martha Stephens says:

    Yes,many people hungry in the U.S. very day! People need good jobs at a Living Wage! Do that, Walmart, if you wish to address our hungry people!

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