Nain Martinez began working at West Kelowna Walmart in March, as many businesses across the country began to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He watched business after business shutter operations and saw people isolate themselves in their homes as the pandemic began to take a stranglehold on the economy.
But, Martinez kept going to work.
Walmart, being deemed an essential business, never curtailed its operations.
However, as staff at the store could be potentially exposed to a dangerous virus, Walmart gave them an extra $2 an hour in “pandemic pay,” in line with several other grocers across the country.
In June, as the economy began to reopen, most of those grocers nixed that pay — something Martinez feels he and his fellow workers should still be receiving.
“We run risks every day not only for us but for our families too,” he said. “And, Walmart takes advantage of that when possible.
“How do they want to force people to wear masks but they don’t want to pay us hazard pay?”
This — alongside several other grievances — is the subject of a one-day strike Martinez has organized against his employer on Friday, Sept. 4.
However, he is not sure how many of his fellow workers will stand with him during the strike.
“The plan is to ask Walmart to do what is right and stop abusing its employees. If Walmart decides to ignore the problem then we plan to not work that day.”
Other issues Martinez has is that of Walmart’s treatment of its staff, including wage inequality between new and senior staff members, lack of holiday time and part-time employees working full-time hours without the health benefits.
“The employees are terrified of Walmart because they say that Walmart would rather close down the store than to let the workers form a union. How is it that essential workers have absolutely no one to defend them at all?
“It’s not about the money. It’s about doing what’s right.”
In response to Martinez’s allegations, Walmart Canada said it provides competitive compensation packages to its employees and all hourly associates across the country make more than minimum wage.
“Earlier this year, we accelerated $16 million in bonus payments for hourly associates. Hourly associate bonuses are typically paid out in one payment following the store’s yearly performance,” said Felicia Fefer, Walmart Canada’s corporate affairs manager.
“In addition, we are offering multiple enhanced discount days throughout the summer, where associates can enjoy an added discount on their purchases, on top of their existing regular associate discount. Additionally, we’re offering access to live online physician care for all 90,000 associates at no cost so that they can get the advice and care they need.”
READ MORE: Grocers appear before MPs to explain decision to cut pandemic pay
READ MORE: Unions tell MPs that grocery workers should still have pandemic pay
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