Unions representing 6 million workers rallied in 35 cities from New York to Los Angeles to protest what they called inadequate health-care coverage by Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the US' largest employer.
In Atlanta, about 50 to 60 people gathered in a church. In Denver, about 200 people turned out. Only 14 showed up in El Paso, Texas, where organizers said they were unable to get a city permit for a larger demonstration. In Cleveland, WKYC TV reported dozens of protesters. Organizers said the totals were over 350 in Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, and around 100 in Pittsburgh.
The Change to Win labor federation of seven unions, which broke away from the AFL-CIO union last year to form the nation's second largest labor group, said Wal-Mart, the world's largest retail chain, epitomizes a business model of low pay and benefits that harm the middle class.
"You can't really talk about these issues without talking about Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart drags everybody down, but they are not the only bad actor out there," said Carole Florman, spokeswoman for Change to Win.
It is the federation's first national rally targeting Wal-Mart and part of a broader campaign called "Make work pay" aimed at raising living standards for workers, she said.
Wal-Mart called the rallies a political stunt that ignored the fact that it created 225,000 US jobs last year and provides career opportunities and above-average pay and benefits for the retail sector. It also says it saves its customers about US$2,300 a year.
"We are an economic engine. Wal-Mart is good for the communities we serve," said company spokesman Dan Fogleman.
He added that Wal-Mart recently announced it would help small businesses grow around 50 stores it plans in blighted urban areas.
The rallies were organized together with WakeUpWalMart.com, a political campaign group started a year ago by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union to pressure the retailer to raise pay and benefits and improve working conditions. The UFCW is part of Change to Win.
Paul Blank, campaign director for WakeUpWalMart.com, targeted Wal-Mart's health-care insurance, which he said failed to cover 57 percent of its work force. That estimate is based on earlier Wal-Mart numbers, the group said.
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