No thanks given to retail workers

In recent years, it has become common practice for major retailers to open their doors to Black Friday shoppers on the evening of Thanksgiving day. In this clamor to create a tidier profit in a time of the year that can make, or break, a retailer, it has become apparent that profits have become more important than the associates that provide them. Corporations expect their associates to leave their families on Thanksgiving night, a night that’s meant for togetherness and thankfulness, in order to assist their own greed. Can we say the same for the executives? No.

So how does our society combat this? In a time when retail associates have very little to no voice, and even less power, how are they set to go about changing these cruel practices? There are two things that must happen if retailers are even going to consider changing their policies. First of all, consumers must refuse to shop at these retailer.

Patronizing the businesses that force their associates to leave their friends and family is a direct enabling of these practices. It is the job of the consumer to not enable these practices. It’s as simple as waiting until Friday.

Secondly, it is the duty of the retail worker to take a firm stand against their corporations, to tell them you will not be trodden upon. Take part in the nationwide strike of retail associates against these practices, for which more information can be found on Facebook.

This story was originally published September 13, 2017 at 9:34 PM with the headline "No thanks given to retail workers."