NAME OF REGISTRANT: Walmart Inc.
NAME OF PERSON RELYING ON EXEMPTION: United for Respect Education Fund
ADDRESS OF PERSON RELYING ON EXEMPTION: 1730 M ST, NW STE 1115 Washington DC
20036-4579
Written materials are submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-6(g)(1) promulgated under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Submission is not required of this filer under the terms of the Rule, but is
made voluntarily.
May 11, 2022
Dear fellow Walmart shareholders,
I am writing to you as a 21-year Walmart associate, Walmart shareholder,
and the sponsor of Proposal 5 on Walmart's proxy statement for the upcoming
annual meeting of shareholders, which asks the company to establish a
Pandemic Workforce Advisory Council composed of hourly associates.
I have decades of experience working on the front lines of Walmart's business,
helping to keep stores running and serving customers. I understand firsthand
the day-to-day operations inside Walmart stores and I believe Walmart's
response to the coronavirus pandemic has failed me, my co-workers, and
customers alike. It also presents significant risks to shareholders.
Walmart recently ended its mask mandates and daily health screenings for
employees, but what I find most troubling is that they eliminated the
COVID-19 leave policy that I, and so many of my coworkers, depend on
when things get really scary in our stores.
Walmart's business is still being impacted by variants. The company has
been temporarily shutting down stores across the country for deep cleanings,
but according to press reports the company won't disclose to employees or
customers whether store closures are related to COVID-19 cases or exposure.
What we do know from these reports is that Walmart associates are still
getting sick at work.
For the world's largest retailer and private sector employer, mismanagement
of the pandemic poses fundamental risks to the company. The attached report
details concerns Walmart associates have about the company's handling of the
crisis, including the absence of honest, direct communication loops between
leadership and workers, and outlines the benefits of including employee
perspectives in policy creation and implementation.
As Walmart's founder, Sam Walton, said: "The folks on the front lines,
the ones who actually talk to the customer, are the only ones who really
know what's going on out there. You'd better find out what they know".
Unfortunately, Walmart leadership's disregard for employee perspectives
predates the current crisis, and its failure in the current moment has
only magnified the risks to customers, associates, and shareholders.
A Pandemic Workforce Advisory Council made up of hourly associates could
help address the myriad challenges Walmart faces at this moment. As a long-time
Walmart associate, I am committed to my job, my store, and my community.
My interests in Walmart's long-term success are both as an employee and
as a shareholder. Associate input can help the Board manage risks, identify
opportunities, repair Walmart's reputation, and support sound decision-making
that will guide our company through this crisis, and future ones.
Therefore, I ask you to Vote FOR Proposal 5.
Please contact Bianca Agustin at bianca@united4respect.org
for more information or to arrange to speak with me.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Murray
Walmart Associate
Hyattsville, Maryland
_______________________________________________________________________________
PROPOSAL 5
Shareholders of Walmart Inc. ("Walmart") ask the Board of Directors to create
a "Pandemic Workforce Advisory Council" (the "Council"), composed of hourly
Associates, to provide advice to the Board (including any relevant Board
committee) upon request on pandemic-related workforce issues, including
health and safety measures, whistleblower protections, and paid sick leave.
Walmart would have discretion to disband the Council when no pandemic has
been declared.
SUMMARY
At the onset of the pandemic, Walmart stores were the source of coronavirus
outbreaks which caused illness and death among employees and their families,
while forcing Walmart to grapple with abrupt store closures and staffing
shortages. Three years into the pandemic, new variants continue to disrupt
the company's operations and Walmart associates are still getting sick.
Walmart's poor pandemic response has exposed deficiencies in pre-pandemic
company policies and continues to present operational and reputational
risk for the company. Walmart's hourly associates possess unique,
on-the-ground insight into how pandemic and existing company policies
impact operations, sales, customer service, and employee well-being.
A Pandemic Workforce Advisory Council that advises the Walmart Board of
Directors would ensure associates are heard during this and future pandemics,
help ensure company policies and practices reflect associate experiences and
needs, and could lead to a reduction in the spread of infectious disease
among associates and customers and an increase in worker productivity
and retention.
REASONS TO VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 5
1. COVID-19 continues to disrupt Walmart's operations and hourly associates
are still at risk of contagion.
2. Walmart management currently lacks effective mechanisms to solicit honest,
direct feedback from hourly associates, unfiltered by store-level management.
3. Walmart's Board of Directors has little relevant frontline retail experience.
4. Government agencies and academics have long recognized the crucial role
workers and worker voice play in protecting worker health and safety.
5. The benefits of a Pandemic Workforce Advisory Council far outweigh the costs
and can reduce operational and reputational risks for Walmart.
____________________________________________________________________________
DISCUSSION
To date, there have been over 990,000 deaths from COVID-19 in the
United States, and more than 81 million cases. Even with millions of
people vaccinated, the daily average number of cases in the US is
still over 45,000 and a growing number of US states are hitting
COVID case count milestones. While vaccinations give reason for
optimism, the daily toll remains significant and COVID-19 variants
and the likelihood of future pandemics6 remain serious concerns.
Workplaces, especially retail and grocery, have been a significant source of
transmission. Approximately one in five workers are being exposed to COVID-19
monthly and one in ten are being exposed weekly. Retail and grocery workers
face increased risk of exposure due to the very nature of their work. A recent
survey found an 11% increase in COVID-19 related deaths among retail and
grocery workers and a 17% increase in exposure and infection rates between
June and December 2021. In a study in Boston, grocery store workers were 20
times more likely to have COVID-19 than the general population and those
interfacing with customers were five times more likely to have it than their
colleagues who did not interface with customers.
Despite recent COVID-19 outbreaks in stores, Walmart eliminated daily health
screenings, stopped requiring fully vaccinated employees to wear masks, and put
an end to the COVID-19 leave so many associates depended on to keep themselves
and their families safe. With 1.6 million employees and more than 5,000 stores
in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, Walmart is the largest corporate employer in
the country and its policies and practices impact every community in the
United States.
Because Walmart refuses to release data about employee COVID-19 cases or
workplace outbreaks, the public has an incomplete understanding of the
impact the pandemic has had on Walmart and on the communities it serves.
What is certain, though, is that Walmart associates, their families, and
customers have been exposed in the workplace, become ill, some have died,
and many continue to be at risk.
From December 2021 to February of 2022, Walmart abruptly shut down nearly
90 Walmart stores located in COVID-19 hotspots but declined to confirm
whether employees had tested positive at closed locations or if the company
was seeing an increase in workers testing positive for COVID-19.
A Walmart Neighborhood Market in Garland, Texas closed down the Friday before
Christmas for deep cleaning. Local health officials confirmed an outbreak of
10 cases among store employees.
Workers from a store in Laurel, Maryland that closed for enhanced cleaning told
Reuters that the closure came after several workers contracted the virus.
Walmart declined to confirm this.
A Walmart store in New Jersey closed down after dozens of associates tested
positive for COVID-19. A worker from the store told NBC New York that more
than 90 workers had been infected. The company declined to confirm the total
number of positive cases.
Walmart is hiring tens of thousands of workers to deal with existing staffing
shortages and continues to temporarily close stores due to COVID-19 surges
across the country. These measures inevitably impact Walmart's bottom line.
In 2020, Walmart conceded that 10% of its workforce - about 150,000 people -
were on leave due to the pandemic. The company had to hire an additional
200,000 people, presumably to address the shortage and the surge in sales.
Walmart started 2022 grappling with staffing shortages and the omicron
variant. In January 2022 the company announced it would be hiring an
additional 50,000 workers. Employee turnover of this magnitude has
significant costs, including the costs of hiring and training new
staff and the reduced productivity of new staff.
During Walmart's FY2022 fourth quarter earnings presentation, Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Brett Biggs acknowledged
the high cost COVID-19 has had on the company.COVID-19 leave costs at
Walmart totaled well over $1 billion in 2021 alone.
In Demonstrating Corporate Purpose In The Time Of Coronavirus, McKinsey
states that, "Companies will define what they do in the crucible of COVID-19
response, or be defined by it." McKinsey outlines a set of principles to
guide executives and Boards, including:
"Listen carefully to stakeholders that are well placed to inform you.
Among grocers, for example, the needs of employees, customers, and
service to broader society often stand front and center."
"Involve your employees in the solution."
"Stay nimble as situations change, which they certainly will.
Adapt to changing conditions and new information rather than
returning to a static playbook."
By these standards, Walmart's leadership has failed in its pandemic response.
Walmart associates have previously reported that existing mechanisms are not
effective, citing "breakdowns in delivering feedback, lack of anonymity, not
feeling that they have whistleblower protections, local management's fear of
more senior managers, and pressure from local management to provide positive
feedback. For these reasons, presumably, associates are going to the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) with their complaints
about managers not adhering to company policy, internal controls,
and broader guidance.
Since the start of the pandemic, workers and customers have raised concerns
directly to OSHA. Between June 2021 and January 2022 hundreds of COVID-related
complaints were filed with the agency:
Below are some examples of the complaints filed during this period:
January 2022: A complaint was filed against a Walmart in Dixon, Illinois
for not instituting procedures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in
the workplace. The complaint alleges that the Walmart Supercenter located
at 1640 South Galena Avenue had 25 positive cases of COVID-19 among employees.
December 2021: A complaint was filed against a Walmart in Rome, Georgia
for exposing employees to health hazards associated with COVID-19.
Walmart associates exhibited "signs and symptoms of respiratory illness,
such as fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath." The complaint alleges
Walmart called into work people with COVID-19 symptoms and allowed these
associates to work while exhibiting symptoms.
Most troubling, associates are going to the press with complaints about
retaliation for voicing COVID-19 related concerns.
August 2021: A complaint was filed against a Walmart in Lagrange, Georgia
after nearly 200 employees were exposed to "health hazards associated with
the SARS-CoV-2 virus." Walmart's failure to implement CDC guidelines such
as wearing face masks, proper social distancing, quarantining of sick
employees, and transparency regarding exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace
were specifically named in the complaint.
June 2021: A complaint filed against a Walmart in Smithville, Tennessee alleged
Walmart was not taking employees' temperatures before their work shift began.
The complaint also stated that a Walmart associate contracted COVID-19 at
work and passed away.
The press has reported many similar concerns. Most troubling, associates are
going to the press with complaints about retaliation for voicing COVID-19
related concerns.
Sam Walton, Walmart's founder, said, "The folks on the front lines-the ones who
actually talk to the customer-are the only ones who really know what's going on
out there. You'd better find out what they know." Yet ineffective policies,
inconsistencies, and the failures of Walmart's pandemic response expose
deficiencies in Walmart's internal communication and feedback mechanisms.
The biographies of Walmart's Board members indicate little relevant retail
experience, except for those who have had positions at Walmart. None of the
Board members' proxy statement biographies include, for example, experience
managing a retail store or working a retail job. Furthermore, independent
directors have no formal mechanisms to engage directly with frontline
associates; interactions are all mediated by layers of middle and senior
management. Without such experience and mechanisms, it is likely that the
Board is lacking information as it makes critical decisions.
More broadly, dialogue with Walmart employees through the Council would
enable the Board to make better decisions as a result of having real-time,
unfiltered information on whether company policies (e.g., mask mandates,
paid leave policies) are being implemented effectively. Because associates
communicate widely with one another (e.g., in the stores, on social media),
the Council could bring data about specific issues at specific stores, as
well as about trends and cross-store concerns, to the Board for consideration.
Lastly, the Council could work with the Board to strengthen whistle-blower
protections to ensure that managers do not cut corners on health and
safety measures or retaliate against employees for raising concerns.
According to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, the 2021 winner of
the US News and World Report Law Firm of the Year Award for its corporate
law practice, "In this [pandemic] circumstance, boards of directors should
exercise their core oversight and risk management responsibility to assure
that management is looking around the corners to assess short- and long-term
risks, as well as opportunities; taking appropriate action to assure business
continuity and to activate contingency plans; and communicating appropriately.
A Pandemic Workforce Advisory Council would help the Walmart Board of Directors
carry out these crucial responsibilities.
In its Guidance for Businesses and Employers Responding to Coronavirus Disease,
the Centers for Disease Control and Preparedness (CDC) recommends that
employers simply, "Talk with your employees about planned changes and seek
their input. Additionally, collaborate with employees and unions to
effectively communicate important COVID-19 information.
In its 2016 Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs, OSHA states:
To be effective, any safety and health program needs the meaningful
participation of workers and their representatives. Workers have much
to gain from a successful program, and the most to lose if the program
fails. They also often know the most about potential hazards associated
with their jobs. Successful programs tap into this knowledge base.
In an effective safety and health program, all workers:
Have opportunities to participate in all phases of program design
and implementation.
Do not experience retaliation when they raise safety and health concerns;
report injuries, illnesses, and hazards; participate in the program; or
exercise safety and health rights.
While a professor at Harvard Law School, Sharon Block, the current White House
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs associate administrator, wrote:
[W]orkers have unique insights into the health and safety risks they face
on the job and thus are well-positioned to help identify health threats...
[W]orkers also have unique insights into how to make their jobs safer.
Workers, that is, are well positioned to identify solutions. As a result,
worker representation can deliver concrete benefits not only for workers
themselves but also for companies and the public...
[W]orkers - particularly during a public health crisis in which their
lives are at risk from their jobs - deserve a voice in shaping the
safety and health rules meant to protect them. By giving workers a voice,
we can ensure that the pandemic response happens with them and not to them.
A recent national survey found that, "Although policies and procedures are
essential to mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, excluding
workers from the creation of these policies can lead to a lack of agency
for those workers, keeping their unique perspectives from the process of
identifying specific needs and solutions."
The on-the-ground experience of Walmart's frontline associates must reach
Walmart's Board of Directors in order to ensure that directors have timely
and accurate information to assess how well Walmart's pandemic policies,
and the implementation of these policies, are working to maintain the
health and safety of employees, their families, and customers alike,
while mitigating investor risk.
The costs of a Pandemic Workforce Advisory Council are negligible compared to
Walmart's overall expenses. The risks are also inconsequential, as the Walmart
Board of Directors retains final decision making authority as well as the
ability to disband the council when the pandemic is over. The potential
benefits - in terms of worker and customer health and safety, demonstrating
a commitment to racial justice, reduced reputational risk, and increased
consumer confidence - tremendously outweigh any costs and risks.
Walmart has faced significant negative press from the media and scrutiny from
government officials due to its failure to respond effectively to COVID-19.
For example, The Wall Street Journal published an article detailing the deaths
of several Walmart staff and OSHA's investigations into them, and the Attorneys
General of eleven states and the District of Columbia made a public statement
about the need for Walmart to strengthen its paid leave policies and worker
health and safety protections. Walmart's poor response has led to unpaid wages,
wrongful death, whistleblower, and other lawsuits that could result in both
financial loss and further reputational harm.
A Pandemic Workforce Advisory Council that advises the Walmart Board of
Directors could curb the spread of COVID-19 (and mitigate the impact of
future pandemics) throughout Walmart stores and distribution centers while
reducing operational and reputational risk. For example, dialogue with the
Board and Walmart associates through the Council could:
Enable the Board to make better decisions as a result of having real-time,
unfiltered information on whether company policies (e.g., paid leave, mask
mandates, social distancing procedures) are being implemented, and are
effective.
Provide for improved health outcomes and associate retention with increased
access and clarifications to Walmart's paid sick leave policy, thereby
ensuring that associates no longer feel compelled to come to work when
they feel sick.
Support Walmart's commitment to racial justice by examining and addressing
health and safety outcomes for associates of color.
There are very few costs associated with forming a Pandemic Workforce Advisory
Council, and myriad benefits. If adopted, this proposal could lead to improved
employee health outcomes, increased retention and productivity, build good will
among associates and customers, and enable the Board to better protect Walmart
from further operational, legal, and reputational harms related to the COVID-19
pandemic (or future pandemics).
A Pandemic Workforce Advisory Council that advises the Walmart Board of
Directors would ensure associates are heard during this and future pandemics,
help ensure company policies and practices reflect associate experiences and
needs, andcould lead to a reduction in the spread of infectious disease among
associates andcustomers and an increase in worker productivity and retention.
For these reasons, we urge Walmart shareholders to Vote FOR Proposal 5
on the company's proxy statement.
For questions, please contact Bianca Agustin at bianca@united4respect.org.
________________________________________________________________________________
References
1. Sam Walton with John Huey, Made in America: My Story, Bantam Edition, 1993.
2. Walmart Inc. Definitive Proxy Statement, filed April 21, 2022 (hereinafter,
"Walmart 2022 Proxy"), available at
www. sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104169/000010416922000019/
a2022proxystatement.htm
3. "Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count. The New York Times.
28 April, 2022. Available at:
https://www. nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html and
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data tracker/#datatracker-home
4. COVID-19 Rates by State (veryweIIheaIth.com)
5. "US COVID-19 Cases Caused by Variants." CDC. Available at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/ variant-cases.html.
Accessed on April 15, 2021.
6. Robbins, J. "Heading Off the Next Pandemic." Kaiser Health News.
4 January, 2021. Available at:
https://khn.org/news/ infectious-disease-scientists-preventing-next-pandemic/.
7. Baker, MG, Peckham TK, Siexas, NS. "Estimating the burden of United States
workers exposed to infection or disease: A key factor in containing risk of
COVID-19 infection." PLOS One. April 28, 2020.
Available at: https://journals.pIos.org/plosone/ articIe?id=10.1371/
journal.pone.0232452.
8. America's Largest Retail Union Calls on CEOs for Action on Omicron
and Winter COVID Surge to Protect Essential Workers and Customers,
The United Food & Commercial Workers International Union (ufcw.org)
9. "High rate of symptomless COVID-19 infection among grocery store workers."
BMJ. 29 October, 2020. Available at:
www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/high-rate-of-symptomIess-covid-19-infection-
among-grocery-store-workers/
10. "Walmart ends mask policy for fully vaccinated employees; health
screenings, COVID-19 leave to end later." KNWA FOX 25. 11 February, 2022.
Available at:
https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/walmart-ends-mask-policy-for-fully-vaccinated
employees-health-screenings-covid-19-leave-to-end-later/.
11. https://corporate.waImart.com/newsroom/company-facts.
12. "2nd Walmart in Massachusetts closes after virus death, other cases."
AP. 5 May, 2020. Available at: https://wwmt.com/
news/coronavirus/2nd-waImart-in-state-closes-after-virus-death-other-cases.
"Warren, Markey, Massachusetts Delegation Call on Walmart to Protect Workers
in Massachusetts Stores." Office of Ed Markey. 8 May, 2020. Available at:
https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/warren-markey-massachusetts-
delegation-callon-walmart-to-protect-workers-in-massachusetts-stores and
"Mass. Walmart Stores Temporarily Close After Employees Test Positive For
The Coronavirus." WBUR. 11 May, 2020.
Available at:
https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/05/09/three-mass-walmart-locations-closed-after-
employees-test-positive-for-the-coronavirus and "Walmart in Aurora given green
light to reopen Sunday." Tri-County Health Department. 26 April, 2020.
Available at: http://tchd.org/CivicAIerts.aspx?AID=384&ARC=807.
13. See for example; "Walmart temporarily shut nearly 60 U.S. stores for COVID
cleaning in December." CNBC. 4 January, 2022. Available at:
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/04/walmart-temporarily-shut-nearly-60-us-stores-
for-covid-cleaning-in
december.html and "Marrero Walmart to close for deep cleaning." Fox 8 Live.
3 January, 2022.
Available at: https://www.fox8live.com/2022/01/03/marrero-walmart-close-deep-
cleaning/ and
"Auburndale Walmart to close through Wednesday for cleaning." WTSP. 3 January,
2022.
Available at: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/auburndaIe-
waImart-to-close-through-wednesday-for-cleaning/67-f0
d03a34
- bb29-43b8-a4a1-338f954162b5. Accessed on 28 April, 2022. "Hernando Walmart
closing early in
response to COVID, reopen Wednesday." WREG Memphis. 3 January, 2022.
Available at:
https://wreg.com/news/mid-south/hernando
walmart-closing-early-in-response-to-covid-reopen-wednesday/ and "Walmart
Supercenter in
La Marque temporarily closed for COVID deep cleaning." Houston Chronicle. 3
January,
2022. Available at: https://www. houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/
Walmart-Supercenter-in-La-Marque-temporarily-16745671.php and "South Philly
Walmart Closing Temporarily for Sanitizing Amid COVID Surge.
NBC Philadelphia. 3 January,2022. Available
at:https://www.nbcphiIadeIphia.com/news/coronavirus/south-philadelphia-walmart-
closing-covid
cleaning/3096448/ and "Manville Walmart store temporarily closes for COVID
cleaning." My Central Jersey. 2 January, 2022 Available at:
https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/somerset-county/2022/01/02/
walmart-manville-nj-store-temporarily-closes-covid-cleaning/9072376002/ and
"3 NJ Walmart Stores Close due to COVID." Daily Voice. 2 January, 2022.
Available at:
https://daiIyvoice.com/new-jersey/southpassaic/
news/3-nj-waImart-stores-close-due-to-covid/823113/ and "Another Walmart
closing temporarily for COVID cleaning, restocking." NJ. 4 January, 2022.
Available at: https://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/2022/01/another
waImart-closing-temporarily-for-covid-cleaning-restocking.html and "Local
Walmart closes for deep clean amid rising COVID-19 cases." Fox 13 Memphis.
3 January, 2022
Available at: https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/local/local-waImart-closes-deep
clean-amid-rising-covid-19-cases/
QN4ZI6BIPJD4DPBOGUWRJNPOIY/ and
"Walmart temporarily closes another store for cleaning - this time in
Hollywood." Local 10.
5 January, 2022. Available at:
https://www.local10.com/news/local/2022/01/05/walmart-temporarily-closes-
another-store-for-cleaning
this-time-in-hollywood/ and "Morse Road Walmart to close for sanitizing." NBC
4. 5 January, 2022.
Available at:
https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/morse-road-walmart-to-close-for-
sanitizing/ and
"Hammond Walmart temporarily closes due to rising COVID-19 cases." FOX 32
Chicago. 2 January, 2022. Available at:
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/hammond-walmart-temporarily-closes-due-to-
rising-covid-19-cases and
"Two Walmarts in Jefferson Parish reopen after closing for cleaning."
4WWL. 6 January, 2022. Available at:
https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/two-walmarts-in-jefferson-parish/289-
daaec940-6b2b-4d39-95d
6- 66bcb5e6652b and "Aberdeen Walmart Shuts Down In Wake Of New COVID-19
Cases." CBS Baltimore. S January, 2022. Available at:
https://baItimore.cbsIocaI.com/2022/01/05/aberdeen-waImart-closed-covid19-
harford county/ and
"Jonesboro Walmart will close for 2 days" KAIT 8. 6 January 2022. Available
at:https:// www.kait8.com/2022/01/06/jonesboro-waImart-will-close-2-days/ and
"Walmart temporarily closes two Georgia locations for cleaning." 11 Alive. 6
January, 2022.
Available at: https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/
walmart-temporarily-close-two-georgia-locations/85-90caf30d-4f9f-425a-82fc-
b3cbffac0868 and
"Lakeland Walmart closing for sanitation as COVID-19 cases rise." WFLA. 6
January, 2022. Available at: https://www.wfla.
com/news/poIk-county/IakeIand-waImart-closing-for-sanitization-as-covid-19-
cases-rise/.
"Brandon Walmart location closing temporarily for thorough cleaning."
WFTS Tampa Bay. 10 January, 2022. Available at:
https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/brandon-walmart-location-closing-
temporarily-for-thoro
ugh cleaning and "Walmart Temporarily Closes Delaware Store for Sanitizing
as COVID surges." NBC Philadelphia. 10 January, 2022. Available at:
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/coronavirus/walmart-temporarily
closes-deIaware-store-sanitizing-covid-surges/3101885/. Accessed on 28 April,
2022. "Walmart to
temporarily close the 3rd store for cleaning as COVID cases rise. 11 Alive. 9
January, 2022.
Available at: https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/
walmart-griffin-closed-covid-cleaning/85-b5a103ac-f8e1-4217-8b61-38fd7b4c50b3
and "Arnold Walmart temporarily closing for cleaning, restock. KSDK. 9 January,
2022. Available at: https://www.ksdk.com/article/
news/local/arnoId-waImart-close-for-few-days-cleaning-restock/
63-71859ed6-47a8-47d0-9cef-2a035635fdc
5. Accessed on 28 April, 2022. "Walmart temporarily closing prominent Pierce
County store amid high number of COVID cases. The News Tribune. 10 January,
2022. Available at:
https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article257154882.html and
"Walmart to close Richardson store for COVID-19 cleaning. The Dallas Morning
News. 7 January, 2022.
Available at:
https://www.dallasnews.com/business/retail/2022/01/07/walmart-to-close-
richardson-store-for-covid-19
- cleaning/ and "Yet another Walmart temporarily closes in Neptune, NJ."
NK 101.5. 10 January,2022. Available at: https://nj1015.com/yet-another-walmart-
temporarily-closes-in-neptune-nj/ and
"Walmart temporarily closing Miami location for cleaning and sanitization."
Local 10. 8 January, 2022.
Available at: https://www.IocaI10.com/news/local/2022/01/08/walmart-temporarily-
closing-miami-location-for-cleaning-and-sanitization/ and "Fort Worth Walmart
temporarily closing for COVID-19 cleaning." FOX 4 KDFW. 8 January, 2022.
Available at:
https://www.fox4news.com/news/fort-worth-walmart-temporarily-closing-for-covid-
19-cleaning.
14. Walmart Has Closed More Than 20 US Stores for Deep Cleaning in Past Month
15. Walmart temporarily shut nearly 60 US stores for COVID cleaning in
December, Reuters.
16. NJ Walmart Temporarily Closes After Employee COVID Outbreak, Worker Says.
17. See for example: "Omicron surge: Walmart closes stores in metro Atlanta for
deep cleaning." Fox 5 Atlanta. Available at:
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/omicron-surge-walmart-closes-stores-in-metro-
atlanta-for-deep-cleaning Streetman, A. "Colorado Springs Walmart Closes
Temporarily Due To COVID Outbreak." 4 CBS Denver. 13 October, 2020. Available
at:https://denver.cbsIocaI.com/2020/10/13/colorado-springs-walmart-closes-
temporarily-coronavirus-outbreak/. Accessed 15 April, 2022. "Plainwell-area
Walmart closed for cleaning after COVID-19 cases." Wood TV. 18 March, 2021.
Available at:
https://www.woodtv.com/news/allegan-county/plainwell-area-walmart-closed-for-
cleaning-after-covid-19
-cases/. Accessed 15 April, 2022.
18. Nassauer, S. "Walmart's Coronavirus Challenge Is Just Staying Open." WSJ.
18 April, 2020.
Available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/waImarts-coronavirus-challenge-is-
just-staying-open-11587221657. Accessed on 15 April,
2022. 19. Nassauer, S. "Walmart's Coronavirus Challenge Is Just Staying Open."
WSJ. 18 April, 2020.
Available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/waImarts-coronavirus-challenge-is-
just-staying-open-11587221657. Accessed on 15 April,
2022. 20. "Walmart Aims to Hire 50,000 U.S. Workers by End of April." WSJ.
Available at:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/walmart-aimsto-hire-50-000-u-s-workers-by-end-of-
apriI-11647434700.
21. "FY2022 Q4 Earnings Release." Youtube. Timestamp: 16:42 Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9bpCbsWs9I. Accessed on 15 March, 2022.
22. "Walmart, Amazon Say Covid Sick Leave Has Cost Them A Fortune." Forbes.
Available at:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/
laurendebter/2022/02/17/waImart-amazon-say-covid-sick-leave-has-cost-them-a-
fortune/?sh=51bab0f7429e. Accessed on 16 March, 2022.
23. Schaninger, B, Simpson, B, Zhang, H, Zhu, C. "Demonstrating corporate
purpose in the time of coronavirus." McKinsey & Company. 31 March, 2020.
Available at:
https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/
demonstrating-corporate-purpose-in-the-time-of-coronavirus. Accessed 15 April,
2022.
24. "Inadequate Response to COVID-19 and Breakdown of Board Oversight
Demonstrate the Need for
Hourly Associate Representation on the Walmart (WMT) Board of Directors" Exempt
Solicitation.
Available at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/ edgar/data/104169/
000138713120005057/mja-px14a6g
052120.htm. Accessed 15 April, 2021.
25. https://www.osha.gov/foia/archived-covid-19-data 26.
https://www.osha.gov/foia/archived-covid-19-data#:-:text=January-,January%2028,-
WhistIebIower%20CompIai nt%20 Data27.
https://www.osha.gov/foia/archived-covid-19-data#:-:text=January-,January%2028,-
WhistIebIower%20CompIai nt%20 Data
28. OSHA: Closed Complaints through December 31 2021.
https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/CIosed_FederaI_State_
PIan_VaIid_COVID-19_CompIaints_Through_1231_2021.xIsx
29. OSHA: Closed Complaints through December 31 2021.
https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/CIosed_FederaI_State_
PIan_VaIid_COVID-19_CompIaints_Through_1231_2021.xIsx
30. See for example: Sotnik K, Kim YJ. "Mass. Walmart Store Remains Closed
After Employee Dies of Coronavirus." 10 NBC Boston. S May, 2020. Available at:
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/coronavirus/mass-walmart-store-remains-closed
after-employee-dies-of-coronavirus/2118746/. Accessed on 15 April, 2022.
Corkery, M. "A Wrinkle in Stores' Mask Policies: Enforcement." NY Times. 29
July, 2020. Available at:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/29/business/coronavirus-masks
stores-walmart.htmI?searchResuItPosition=1. Accessed on 15 April, 2022. Jones,
C. "Walmart workers
will call out of work, use tracker to protect themselves from COVID-19." USA
Today. 29 April, 2020.
Available at: https://www.usatoday.com/
story/money/2020/04/29/coronavirus-leads-some-waImart-workers-call-out-work/
3047692001/. Accessed on 15 April 2022. Maniscalco, J. :'Essential' Frontline
Workers In Open Revolt Over Unsafe Conditions." DC Report. 27 March, 2020. \
Available at:
https://www.dcreport.org/2020/03/27/essential-frontline-workers-in-open-revolt-
over-unsafe-conditions/. Accessed on 15 April, 2022. Sainato, M. "Target and
Walmart aren't protecting staff amid
pandemic, workers say." Guardian. 22 March, 2020. Available at:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/22/target-walmart-coronavirus-
workers not-protected.
Accessed on 15 April, 2022.
31. Attrino, A. "Walmart fired me when I complained managers weren't wearing
masks or gloves, N.J.
man says in suit." NJ.com. 28 January, 2021. Available at:
https://www.nj.com/atlantic/2021/01/walmart-fired-me-when-i-complained-
managers-werent-wearing-masks-or-gloves-nj-man-says-in-suit.html. Accessed on
15 April, 2021.
Musson, V. "Lawsuit Alleges Garfield Walmart Fired Worker For Reporting COVID-
19 Violations."
Garfield-Lodi Daily Voice. 8 April, 2020. Available at:
https://daiIyvoice.com/new-jersey/garfieId/police-fire/lawsuit-alleges-garfield-
walmart-fired-worker-for-reporting covid-19-violations/791923/. Accessed on 15
April, 2022.
32. Sam Walton with John Huey. Made in America: My Story. Bantam Edition. 1993.
p316.
33. "Board of Directors." Walmart. Available at:
https://corporate.waImart.com/about/board-of-directors . Access on 25 April,
2022.
34. "Law Firm of the Year." US News & World Report. 2021. Available at:
https://bestIawfirms.usnews.com/profile/skadden arps-slate-meagher-flom-Ilp/
rankings/3851. Accessed
15 April, 2022.
35. Arcano, SF, Atkins, PA, Ellin, HL, King, KJ, Schneirov, AR, Schnell, PT.
"Thoughts for Boards of Directors on the COVID-19 Crisis." Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. 20 March, 2020.
Available at: https://www.skadden.com/insights/publications/2020/03/thoughts-
for-boards-of-directors-on-the-covid-19 Accessed 15 April, 2022.
36. "Guidance for Businesses and Employers Responding to Coronavirus Disease
2019 (COVID-19)." CDC.
8 March, 2021. Available at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-
response.html. Accessed 15 April, 2022.
37. "Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs." OSHA. October,
2016. Available at:
https://www.osha.gov/ safety-management. Accessed on 15 April, 2022.
38. Block, S, Khan, S, Rogers, B, and Sachs, BI. "How and why to empower
workers in the COVID-19
response." Roosevelt Institute. April 2020. Available at:
https://rooseveItinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/RI
COVID19SectoraIBargaining_IssueBrief_202004.pdf. Accessed on 15 April, 2022.
39. "The State of Health and Safety: One Year Later, Increased Workplace Health
and Safety Measures
Are Still Needed." Just Capital. Available at:
https://justcapitaI.com/reports/the-state-of-health-and-safety-one-year-later-
increased-workplace
health-and-safety-measures-are-still-needed/. Accessed on 15 April, 2022.
40. Berzon, A, Ramachandran, S, Jones, C. "OSHA's Job Is Workplace Safety. In
the Covid-19 Pandemic, It Often Struggled." WSJ. 4 March, 2021. Available at:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/oshas-job-is-workplace-safety-in-the-covid-19-
pandemic it-often-struggled-11614875112?mod=hp_Iead_pos2. Accessed on 15 April,
2022.
41. "Attorney General Raoul Urges Walmart To Strengthen Worker Protections
During Covid-19
Pandemic." Office of Kwame Raoul. 2 June, 2020. Available at:
https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/pressroom/2020_06/20200602b.html.
Accessed 15 April, 2022.
42. Haro et al v. Walmart Inc., case number 1:21-cv-00239. Filed 23 February
2021. Read more at:
https://www.law360.com/ articles/1358285/waImart-hit-with-wage-suit-over-covid-
19-screening-time
43. Hill, J, Thorbecke, C. "Walmart hit with wrongful death lawsuit after
employee dies of COVID-19
complications." ABC News. 8 April, 2022. Available at:
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/walmart-hit-wrongful-death-lawsuit-employee-
dies-covid/story?id=70040675. Accessed on 15 April, 2022.
44. Gstalter, M. "Ex-Walmart employee claims in lawsuit that she was fired for
reporting social distancing violations." The Hill. S August, 2020. Available at:
https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/510690-ex-walmart-claims-in-
lawsuit-that-she-was-fired-for-reporting. Accessed on 15 April, 2022.
45. Adamy, J. "Families File First Wave of Covid-19 Lawsuits Against Companies
Over Worker Deaths." WSJ. 30 July 2020. Available at:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/families-file-first-wave-of-covid-19-lawsuits-
against-companies-over-worker deaths-11596137454. Accessed on 15 April, 2022.