Labor groups say they will end their picketing at Walmart stores for at least 60 days as part of a settlement with the National Labor Relations Board. But they vowed they will continue to press the world’s largest retailer to better overall working conditions, including wages.

The agreement, announced by the labor board Thursday, comes after the discounter filed a complaint on Nov. 20 with the board against the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

It said that demonstrations at the stores organized by union-backed OUR Walmart that culminated on the day after Thanksgiving threatened to disrupt its business and intimidate customers and other store workers. OUR Walmart is made up of former and current Walmart workers.

Meanwhile, OUR Walmart filed its own charge with the labor board.

It cited attempts by Walmart to deter workers from participating in what the group called legally protected walkouts.

At issue were what constitutes picketing and whether the activity was aimed at gaining recognition for the union. Walmart contended that such demonstrations violated labor laws because it claimed the “picketing” lasted more than 30 days and had the intent of unionizing its members.

Union officials have argued that the walkouts and demonstrations are to protest what it believes are Walmart’s retaliation tactics against workers who publicly speak out about working conditions and wages. The tactics allegedly include scheduling changes and reduction in workers’ hours.

OUR Walmart had argued that because the planned walkouts are in protest of what it believes are unfair labor practices, workers are legally protected under federal labor law.

Walmart faced a worker walkout last October ahead of its annual investor meeting that expanded to more than a dozen states and involved about 90 workers. Those efforts intensified on the day after Thanksgiving, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, known as “Black Friday.”

The agreement, announced Thursday, will stop picketing and “confrontational conduct” at Walmart facilities for at least 60 days. Nancy Cleeland, a spokeswoman at the NLRB, said it was unnecessary to decide the merits of the labor charge against the UFCW and would set aside pursuing the charge given UFCW’s commitments . She said it would dismiss the complaint in six months as long as the union complies with the agreement it made.

In a letter to the NLRB from the UFCW that was supplied by Walmart, the labor group said that it has no intent of “forcing or requiring employees of Walmart to accept or select UFCW or OUR Walmart as the representatives of its employees.” It also would not encourage illegal disruptions by other affiliated groups such as Jobs with Justice, and Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice.

“We appreciate the thorough efforts of the NLRB in its investigation,” Walmart said in a statement. “Many of the union’s demonstrations and pickets used before Black Friday were illegal.”

The UFCW issued a statement saying that its agreement to refrain from “picketing,” or any actions that can be construed as “picketing,” for the 60-day period doesn’t “affect or limit the labor groups’ ability to otherwise protest, demonstrate or strike because of Walmart’s unfair practices and poor record on labor rights and standards” at other venues.

Walmart appears to be listening. The retailer announced last month that it would help part-time Walmart workers transition into full-time employment if they want. Walmart said it will make sure that its part-time workers have “first shot” at the full-time job openings in the stores in their area.

“OUR Walmart has been able to raise the voices and concerns of workers at Walmart stores across the country and this resolution ensures that will continue,” said Colby Harris, a member from OUR Walmart.

 

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