Transcript for the Piece Audio version of Wal-Mart Under Fire for Labor Practices in Argentina

Lede: Wal-mart has come under the eye of Argentine law-makers for anti-union practices in the corporation?s stores throughout the South American nation. Over the weekend, workers and human rights activists protested outside a Wal-Mart store to call attention to the retail chain?s working conditions in Argentina. FSRN?s Marie Trigona reports from Buenos Aires.

((( 00:00 ))) [Marie I w/audio of the theatre performance] During a theater performance actors mock the humiliation that Wal-Mart workers must endure. In this particular scene, a performer explains what a ?mystery shopper ? is? a supervisor disguised as a customer, to spy on Wal-Mart 4employees. ((( 00:15 )))

Earlier this year, Argentina?s national congress led an investigation into Wal-mart?s labor practices in the corporation?s 15 retail chains throughout the South American nation. Following reports of the firing of union delegates and abusive working conditions at the mega-chain, Wal-mart was called before a congressional investigative committee. Gustavo Cordoba, a labor activist at a Wal-mart store in Buenos Aires was fired in May for his union activity. He testified before the investigative committee of the corporation?s anti-union practices. ((( 00:35 )))

((( 00:35 )))
[Voice Over Gustavo Cordoba] ?We appreciate our jobs, but we also want to make it clear that Wal-Mart abuses workers? rights. We demand that those abuses cease and that firings for union activities stop. Behind closed doors, Wal-Mart violated Argentina?s constitution and it employs corporate practices that discriminate against workers.? ((( 00:59 )))

((( 00:59 ))) [Marie II] At the congressional session in July, Wal-mart representative Gaston Wainstein reported that the company has allowed employees to affiliate to unions while providing customers low prices. ((( 01:10 )))

((( 01:10 ))) [Voice Over Gaston Wainstein] ?The Wal-mart stores have affiliated personnel. Secondly, the company currently has 31 active union delegates. Third, far from not having unions, in our company two unions operate: retail and truck drivers.? ((( 01:30)))

((( 01:30 ))) [Marie III] Wal-mart currently employs 5,800 workers in Argentina at 15 separate stores throughout the nation. According to labor laws, the retail chain has less than half the union delegates needed to represent the total amount of employees. Mart?n Falc?n, a union delegate at the store?s Avelleneda location, says that employees? reports have helped to stop unfair firings, but the company continues to discourage union organizing efforts. ((( 02:05 )))

((( 02:05 ))) [Voice Over Martin Falcon]
?After all of our reports of accusations, Wal-Mart in Avelleneda doesn?t want to fire any workers out of fear. But the company continues to hold meetings with workers telling them they are associates, telling them that Wal-Mart is the best place to work in the world. Wal-mart is known for persecuting against its workers, because Wal-mart doesn?t want its workers to organize. ((( 02:29 )))

((( 02:29 ))) [Marie III] In addition to reports of anti-union practices, Wal-Mart has come under public eye for hiring a former military officer connected with the 1976-1983 military dictatorship as Head of the retailer?s security. Alfredo Oscar Saint Jean served during the nation?s bloody military junta in cities where clandestine detention centers operated. Outside a WalMart store, human rights representatives participated an escrache or ?exposure? protest calling for an end to impunity for military officers who participated in the systematic disappearance of 30,000 people in the so called dirty war. ((( 03:15 )))

((( 03:10 ))) Audio of Human Rights representative giving information on Saint Jaen over the megaphone.

For Free Speech Radio news I?m Marie Trigona in Buenos Aires. ((( 03:30 )))