Beatrice Parker mailed a hand-written copy of the following letter to Walmart CEO Mike Duke in late January, 2010. She had yet to receive a reply.

I began employment at Walmart Store 3371, 3240 Wilkinson Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina, and August 11, 2007, as a door greeter.

From August 11, 2007, to April 11, 2009, I never had a problem with a supervisor nor anyone else, until Marion Ellis began supervising my department around April 4, 2009.

April 11, 2009

I didn’t get my regular break as I always had to get the bathroom.  I complained.  Ellis told me, there was no where in the book that said she had to give me a break, so I got my break an hour and half later when the greeter came in that was assigned to work with me.

June 6

I ask supervisor Carla to get me a relief long enough to use the bathroom.  She said she didn’t have time to find someone.  An hour and half later, I ask an employee in produce to please stand at the door long enough for me to use the bathroom.

June 8-13

I was out of work with a bladder infection.  I returned to work June 15.
 
June 16

I was called in the office and written up by Store Manager Steve for being out too many days (5 days) with doctor’s note.  So I continued to work June 17, 18, and 19 and didn’t go back on the 20th because I shouldn’t take the abuse any longer.

The two years I worked at Wal-Mart, I raised approximately $500.00 for Children’s Miracle Network, collecting from customers and the dirtiest thing that has ever happened to me, happened in the office of Wal-Mart, June 16, when I was written up for being out sick.

Rhonda, the Human Resource Manager, had the gaul to grin in my face and ask me “if I was jealous” because Walmart gave the other much younger woman a gift from the store and gave me nothing.  She raised $110.00, I raised near $500.00, but the thing I’ll always remember about this incident was Rhonda’s nasty attitude.  Sir I guess you think I’m a messy writer, but I’m not, my nerves are really bad from what I’ve had to go through with from Walmart.  I have promised the other employees who are still at Walmart, I will get them some help and I will!  I spoke to Jan Walker and a woman named Bonnie from Walmart, neither did nothing.  People work because they have to work and don’t need to have to work in hell.

It’s really sad that the Walmart world couldn’t appreciate me and what I did in your store, and the world.

In reference to what I said on page 2 about Jan Walker and Bonnie – I spoke to them many times and other Walmart employees have as well, but they could have cared less.

A few months ago, there was an opening for a Supervisor in Soft Line – It was given to a very young employee.  The older woman, who help open the store and has worked very hard, couldn’t even be considered for the position.  Of course, she in 60’s, and my age is 72.  If I don’t do anything else in my life, I’m gonna get something done about the way the older people are treated in Walmart.

After I was booted out of Walmart, I went to work for Charlotte Police, August 25.  Enclosed is a certificate I received from them after being on the job four months.

Mr. Duke, if you don’t have any or can’t have any concern for the way I was treated in this Walmart (3371), please have some for the people who work there, especially the older people.

I’ve been told that you were very concerned about Walmart issues.  I have tried to reach you on the phone, but I could never get through.

Thank you for whatever you can and will do.

Beatrice Biggs Parker