Workers Walk Out At Walmart Plant In Elwood
ELWOOD, Ill. (STMW) -- Workers at the Walmart distributions center in Elwood went on strike Saturday to protest alleged illegal retaliation and other labor abuses.
The action came days after warehouse workers in Southern California walked off the job to protest their employers, NFI and Warestaff, for retaliation.
The workers in California also move Walmart goods.
Workers in Elwood walked off to protest intimidation and retaliation, according to a news release from Warehouse Workers for Justice.
"We are on strike to protest violations of our rights. We are tired of retaliation and threats every time we speak up about unsafe working conditions and other abuses," striking warehouse worker Eric Skoglund said in the news release.
According to the release, warehouse workers lift thousands of boxes that can weigh up to 250 pounds each; often suffer injuries; and rarely earn a living wages.
Supervisors at the Elwood distribution center — which is called Schneider Logistics — were not available for comment, a security guard told a reporter at 7:15 p.m. Saturday. The guard hung up on a reporter when asked how many workers had walked out.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
