Protesters rally on Black Friday to raise Walmart workers' wages
Shoppers enjoying doorbuster deals at Walmart on Black Friday were met by protesters outside stores across the country, including in the Triangle.
At the Walmart Supercenter on New Hope Commons Dr. in Durham, protesters held signs demanding $15 an hour for workers and sang songs about corporate greed.
Workers did not walk off the job, but rather activists called for change on their behalf.
"We're sending a message to Walmart that you can afford to do better," said Jeremy Sprinkle, NC AFL-CIO spokesperson. "We expect you to do better. And taxpayers are tired of filling in the gap to subsidize your poverty level pay."
Protesters rally against low wages at Walmart year-round, but say it's especially important for them to be here on Black Friday.
"Black Friday is a reminder. Greed is still a sin," said Sprinkle.
"These huge corporations that are being supported by our tax dollars to subsidize their workers so they can have food stamps, that's ridiculous!" said Lynn Dupree of Raleigh.
The labor union helping to organize the nationwide protests, AFL-CIO, called on communities to protest outside Walmart stores, sign a petition, and send letters to store managers.
A Walmart spokesperson responded ahead of the Black Friday demonstrations saying since many of the protesters are not Walmart employees, they don't accurately reflect the workers' views.
Still, activists say employees deserve more money and full time schedules that work for them.
"So pay up!" Sprinkle demanded. "Your workers are worth more."
Protesters were expected to gather in front of 1,600 Walmart stores across the country on Friday.
Walmart strikers joined the movement in cities across North Carolina including Hillsborough, Greensboro, and Charlotte.
