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In early April, five Walmart stores closed without explanation, blindsiding employees and leaving over 2,200 jobless. Now, the giant retailer is inviting them to reapply after earning two month's paid leave. The stores, located in California, Texas, Oklahoma and Florida, were shut down because of plumbing issues, Walmart spokesman Lorenzo Lopez insisted. But Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist said no plumbing permits were pulled in the five locations. And former employees beg to differ, too—they say it was in retaliation against their protesting for better pay and working conditions. Walmart got caught red-handed for poor labor conditions in Canada last summer. Of course there were other bizarre theories too, such as military involvement—but no one will ever know that one. [BI]
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