The Yelm Wal-Mart Store began to be picketed last Friday by the UFCW 367 (United Food & Commercial Workers Union) saying the store employs “below-area standards.”

Mallory Hagel of the Tacoma-based Local 367 told the Yelm Community Blog:
“Yelm’s Safeway and Saar’s Market Place are union stores and are taking big hits from Wal-Mart.
We want to encourage the public to shop at businesses that pay a living wage. Wal-Mart does not have health care coverage and currently has the largest class action lawsuit in the nation for discrimination against women.”

The flier being passed out by picketers says:

“Why should you be concerned?

When an employer pays inferior wages or benefits, this puts other employers at a competitive disadvantage. The long-term result can be devastating to communities, by driving down the standards of living for other workers.

If wages are driven lower and lower, this means less money for things like schools, roads, hospitals, etc.

What can you do to help?

Easy – Spend your hard-earned paycheck at your local Yelm Saar’s Market Place or Safeway.”
Ms. Hagel added they also suggest shopping at the Yelm Food Co-op.

UFCW 367 covers all Safeway & Saar’s Market Place employees except management and the meat department. The pickets will run every Friday from 3-7pm and Saturdays & Sundays from 2-7pm for the next 1-3 months.