Wal-Mart Workers to Protest as Walton Heir Races $16 Million Cars for Car Week

Car Week has been an over-the-top tribute to extravagance, mechanical beauty, and fun. But for some, it serves as a bitter reminder of economic injustice.

This weekend Wal-Mart heir Rob Walton is expected to race two of his multimillion dollar race cars at the annual Monterey Motorsports Reunion at the Laguna Seca Raceway, according to a statement from the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. The cars, the union says, are worth some $16 million.

That’s a slap in the face to the Wal-Mart employees who unions say deserve better benefits and wages. According to the union, a single Wal-Mart store costs taxpayers nearly $1 million in various government subsidies, including food and rental assistance.

To express their discontent Wal-Mart employees and supporters of the United Food and Commerical Workers Union will be demonstrating in front of a Salinas Wal-Mart on Aug. 17. 

“The action on Saturday will bring attention to...the reality that Walton and his family use taxpayer funds to support their lavish and expensive hobbies,” says the statement from the union.

The protest is at 11am at at the North Main Street store.