Community, faith and labor groups and OccupySF support Walmart workers as retail giants prepare major expansion in San Francisco communities

Supervisor Mar to call for hearing on growth of corporate chain stores and impacts on San Francisco’s small businesses, neighborhoods, employment and economy

(SAN FRANCISCO)—On Tuesday, at 12:30 p.m. Supervisor Eric Mar along with a coalition of community, labor and faith groups including OccupySF will announce support for the Organization United for Respect at Walmart (OUR Walmart). OUR Walmart consists of current and former Walmart associates who are organizing for respect and better working conditions at the nation’s largest retailer as it prepares a major expansion in the San Francisco Bay Area and other urban communities around the country. Supervisor Mar and the coalition will announce a public hearing that will examine the growing presence of corporate chain stores in San Francisco and their impacts on small businesses, neighborhoods, employment and the economy.

Who:         Supervisor Eric Mar, OUR Walmart, OccupySF, Jobs with Justice, Filipino Community Center, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, and others

What:         Press conference and rally

When:         Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 12:30 p.m.

Where:         San Francisco City Hall

               City Hall West Steps, Polk Street between Grove & McAllister

“We are standing with OUR Walmart workers who are coming together in the Bay Area and nationally to improve the quality of their jobs and their lives,” said Conny Ford of Jobs with Justice San Francisco, a coalition of 25 community and labor groups. “We are challenging Walmart to share our vision for a new way forward – a way that lifts all of us up, rather than just a few. When we change Walmart, we change the economy.”

“I am concerned about the many ways corporate chain stores threaten the well-being and quality of life of our community,” said Supervisor Eric Mar. “With two Target stores scheduled to open and now reports of Walmart’s intent to expand here too, I’m calling for a hearing because I want make sure the public is properly informed about the potential risks so that we can take appropriate action to protect our local businesses, neighborhoods and economy.”