Labor Board Still Investigating Walmart Dispute

Federal labor officials say they haven't decided whether to support a request by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to stop a union-backed group from encouraging worker walk-outs that are expected to culminate across the country and in North Texas on Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.

The world's largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Ark., filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board on Friday against the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

It said the demonstrations organized by union-backed OUR Walmart threaten to disrupt its business and intimidate customers and other associates.

NLRB spokeswoman Nancy Cleeland said Monday that its goal was to decide whether Wal-Mart's case had merit within 72 hours of the filing. She said Tuesday the board now expects to complete its investigation Wednesday.

Walmart says it's planning its best Black Friday ever with three items guaranteed in-stock at doorbuster prices.

"You know, we can't speculate on what may happen at any particular store, but we can say we're going to be ready to serve our customers on Black Friday," said Daniel Morales, Communications Director, Walmart.

NBC 5's Lindsay Wilcox contributed to this report.

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