PHOTO/MARILOLA LEDESMA
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA — For Marilola Ledesma and Graciela Blancas, their recent trip from California to a union conference in Sao Paolo, Brazil proved to be a voyage of discovery. What they found was Walmart employees in all these countries enjoy the protection of union membership, and the benefits of union contracts. Some of the benefits include medical insurance for the workers and their families, full 40 hour work weeks, free uniforms, half of their lunch hour is paid, and the cashiers can work sitting down. They even have burial insurance, and a medical clinic in the store!
When they shared copies of the Tribuno Del Pueblo (sister publication of the People’s Tribune) with their compatriots from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa, it became a voyage of discovery for them too. These workers were surprised to find that Walmart workers in the U.S. do not have a union, and do not enjoy any of these benefits! They were also surprised to find that there were so many other problems in the U.S. which they thought was a paradise where everyone was well off.
Marilola and Graciela were sponsored by the Our Walmart Organization which organized the international conference for Walmart Employees. They attended seminars which taught them new ways of organizing, and thinking. Graciela and Marilola said that various points of view were offered, so they could choose what they liked and reject what they didn’t.
Their hosts in Brazil were two large Brazilian unions, the UGT (Uniao Geral Dos Trabalhadores) and the CUT (Confederacao Nacional Dos Trabalhadores No Comercio E Servicos.) These unions invited them to a spirited rally with the slogans displayed on large banners and flags, “JUSTICE AT WALMART” and “WE STRUGGLE AGAINST: DICTATORSHIP AT WALMART, MORAL HARASSMENT, AND ANTI-UNION PERSECUTION.”
They agreed it was a wonderful experience, and an inspiration to continue their struggle. They will be attending a conference during September at the headquarters of the United Farmworkers Union in Keene, Ca. where they can share what they learned in Brazil.
I would like to join this effort as a community organizer here in the city of Milwaukee. This city has over 7 Walmart stores. Walmart workers are working daily no benefits, the cashiers have to stand long hours. no paid lunch breaks..we are ready to fight here in the city of Milwaukee against the Walmart chains here.