Union Wins Round in Battle With Wal-Mart

The United Food and Commercial Workers has won a tentative victory in its fight to preserve the first successful union vote at a Wal-Mart store. A hearing officer for the National Labor Relations Board has recommended dismissal of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s objections to a 7-3 vote in February by meat cutters at the Wal-Mart in Jacksonville, Texas, 100 miles southeast of Dallas. Wal-Mart argued that union organizers used illegal tactics and acted improperly by providing “alcohol, cash and sexual titillation� to induce employees to vote for union representation. Wal-Mart spokeswoman Jessica Moser said the company will file exceptions to the recommendation to the labor board, which must certify the union representation. Union officials said the recommendation means that Wal-Mart will have to negotiate with the Jacksonville butchers before moving forward with plans to eliminate the meat-cutting department. Two weeks after the Jacksonville vote, Wal-Mart said it would eliminate butchers in Jacksonville and 179 other stores in six states and begin selling prepackaged meat. Fifteen workers at a Palestine, Texas, store voted on representation April 12, but the board said it would not release ballot results until it rules on an appeal by Wal-Mart contending that meat workers are not a separate group from other store employees. The board also has not ruled on a petition by butchers at an Abilene, Texas, Wal-Mart to hold a union election.