Workers Rebel Against Early Black Friday Openings, Shortened Holiday

Kelly Groehler, a BestBuy spokeswoman, noted that CEO Brian Dunn, once a store employee himself, "fully appreciates" the feelings of Melaragni and others, adding that Dunn will miss much of the holiday himself as he helps stores in Minnesota gear up for Black Friday. In a statement on the matter, the company said, "This year, customers have told us -- and our competitors -- that they plan to shop on Thanksgiving Day, and earlier than ever on Black Friday. We therefore made the difficult decision to move our opening Black Friday to midnight. We know this decision changes Thanksgiving plans for some of our employees, and we empathize with those who are affected."

Although retailers say they're simply responding to consumers' desires, the shift has managed to annoy many employees and consumers alike. Some shoppers told The New York Times last week that they will forgo the bargains this year as a manner of protest, feeling the retailers have overstepped their bounds and broken an unspoken holiday agreement.

"There are some [co-workers] who say, 'I'm just thankful to have a job,' " Melaragni said. "And I am, too. But there's a line that you don't cross."