Workers call for stores to close on Thanksgiving

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Retail workers across the nation are calling for their employers to close on Thanksgiving Day.

But the businesses say they are staying open to keep shoppers happy.

REI saying it is putting the sanctity of the holiday ahead of revenue from a big sale.

The company is closing its outdoor recreation stores on Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

This comes as thousands of employees have started online petitions demanding their bosses close shop and let the holiday be just that.

"People want to work and make money, but it's like sometimes they over work people," Wal-Mart employee Kevin Redd said.

Or work them on a day meant for family and giving thanks.

Redd says he will likely be spending this Thanksgiving like he did last one, returning carts instead of carving turkey with his family.

"I could have been happier at home," Redd said.

Along with employees from J.C. Penney and other retailers, tens of thousands of workers have posted petitions on the site Change.org demanding retailers close for Thanksgiving.

Action News spoke with Sheri Ostrom whose sister works at the Deptford Mall.

"People just need to get back into the spirit of everything; be thankful for their family and what it's really about," Ostrom said.

Deptford Mall's property manager gave Action News a statement which says in part:

Retailers know what their shoppers want, and some shoppers want the option for an early start to the Black Friday experience.

"I think it should stay to Black Friday and not interrupt your Thanksgiving dinner because people are leaving their dinners to go shopping," Jamie Furness of Audubon said.

REI is not only closing on Thanksgiving and Black Friday but is paying their employees for their day off.

It has started its own online campaign to encourage others to "opt outside by spending the day outside instead of fighting in the aisle."

What REI is losing in sales it may be making up for in publicity.

By anointing itself the black sheep of Black Friday, social media mentions have gone up more than 6,500%.

Although many retailers have opened on Thanksgiving the past few years, last year sales were down 5% and overall spending was down 11%.