Wal-Mart stores across the country could see employees walking out on Black Friday in protest against staffing and hours issues.

The stores in Florence, Muscle Shoals and Russellville are listed as among those where walk-outs could occur, but it was not clear Tuesday whether employees will take part in it.

Casey Hoag, a spokesman for Making Change at Wal-Mart, could not confirm that local stores will take part in the walk-out.

“I can’t confirm anything in those area,” he said. “We like to keep it kind of quiet to give the workers an edge. We should know something (today).”

Only the Wal-Mart in the Birmingham suburb of Pelham has a strike leader formally named for that store. Those in the Shoals were still looking for leaders.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union is helping organize many of the events through subgroups across the country.

The protest and walk-out are being planned by Organization United for Respect at Wal-Mart, which is affiliated with the union. Wal-Mart employees have complained about the stores opening at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Other complaints include hiring part-time employees instead of giving existing employees more hours and benefits.

Federal labor officials were weighing whether to support Wal-Mart’s request to intervene in the matter.

Robert Palmer can be reached at 256-740-5720 or robert.palmer@TimesDaily.com.