Target faces new boycott over ICE stance as retailer pushes turnaround

The AFT’s Call for a Back-to-school Boycott of Target

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), one of the largest labor unions in the United States, is urging its 1.8 million members to avoid shopping at Target during the back-to-school season. This latest call for a boycott comes as the big-box retailer continues to work on regaining customer trust and restoring sales growth.

According to recent reports, the AFT passed a resolution on Thursday that encourages its members and others to shop at local stores instead of Target. The union claims that the company did not respond adequately to the surge of federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, where the retailer is headquartered. This issue gained national attention when federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during an operation this winter.

The AFT, which is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, plans to push for similar resolutions at upcoming conventions of the AFL-CIO, the NAACP, and LULAC, according to AFT President Randi Weingarten. She emphasized that the union has been working closely with civil rights groups and has even met with Target staff to encourage them to speak out before the resolution was passed.

Target has faced declining sales for three consecutive years, but the company’s new CEO, Michael Fiddelke, has outlined an ambitious plan to revitalize the brand. This includes refreshing stores, adding more appealing merchandise, and aiming for sales growth. The company expects net sales to increase by approximately 2% this fiscal year and anticipates growth in every quarter.

It remains unclear how significant the impact of the AFT’s boycott will be on Target. However, the timing could be critical, as the retailer is trying to win back customers. Earlier this month, Atlanta-area pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant ended a yearlong boycott of Target, citing the company’s renewed commitment to the Black community through investments in Black businesses and donations to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Despite this, other activists, including former Ohio state Senator Nina Turner, continue to urge shoppers to avoid Target. The company has attributed some of its sales losses to backlash over its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, along with other factors such as poor merchandise choices, a weaker in-store experience, and reduced discretionary spending.

At an investor meeting in Minneapolis in early March, Fiddelke described the current phase as “a new chapter for Target.” He emphasized the company’s efforts to build connections with new customers, deepen relationships with existing ones, and regain the trust of those it has disappointed.

In a separate email to employees, Fiddelke highlighted the progress being made, including price reductions on over 3,000 items and the opening of the 2,000th store. He also noted the end of the Target Fast boycott, which had been led by Bryant.

Fiddelke has engaged in ongoing conversations with boycott organizers, who have acknowledged Target’s contributions to the Black community. However, he stopped short of calling for ICE agents to leave the city or demanding accountability for the two shooting deaths.

Weingarten criticized the CEOs’ letter, calling it “insulting” and stating that it “basically blamed both sides.” She argued that the AFT, which includes many teachers, can have the greatest financial impact during the back-to-school season. By passing the resolution now, she said, the union can spread the message to its members and “give Target enough time to come back to its senses.”

Key Points of the AFT’s Boycott

• The AFT is urging its members to avoid Target due to concerns about the company’s response to federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.
• The union has passed a resolution calling for support of local stores instead of Target.
• The AFT plans to advocate for similar resolutions at other organizations’ conventions.
• Target has been working on a turnaround strategy, including store renovations and product improvements.
• The impact of the boycott on Target’s sales remains uncertain.
• Some activists have ended their boycotts, while others continue to oppose the company.
• The AFT believes the back-to-school season offers the best opportunity to influence consumer behavior.