The segment introduces the concept of dollar stores like Dollar General and Dollar Tree, their target customers, and their business model.

• Dollar stores position themselves as an affordable and convenient shopping option.
• They target low-income customers and are often located in economically marginalized communities.
• These businesses make large profits, with Dollar General making 2.4 billion in profit and Dollar Tree making 1.6 billion last year.

This segment discusses the poor working conditions in dollar stores, including understaffing, low wages, and lack of proper maintenance.

• Dollar stores operate with minimal staff, often only one or two employees per store, which leads to overwhelming workloads.
• The median compensated employee for Dollar General makes around $18,000 a year, with 92% of Dollar General's staff making less than $15 an hour.
• The stores often lack proper maintenance and can be disorganized and cluttered, creating a difficult working environment.

The segment highlights the safety concerns and violations in dollar stores, including OSHA violations, rodent infestations, and incidents of violence.

• OSHA has identified numerous safety violations in Dollar General and Dollar Tree, leading to millions in proposed fines.
• There have been reports of rodent infestations in dollar stores, with one Family Dollar distribution center found to have more than a thousand rodents.
• Dollar stores have become targets for crime and violence, with employees reporting incidents of robbery, assault, and even death.

The segment discusses the actions taken by dollar store employees to protest their working conditions and advocate for better treatment.

• Employees have staged walkouts and public protests, with signs stating 'I quit' and 'Dollar General doesn't pay a living wage'
• Workers have also attempted to unionize, but the companies have violated federal law by firing pro-union workers and illegally surveilling and interrogating employees.
• Workers and unions have called for safe staffing levels, safe store infrastructure, and adequate recovery time after violent incidents.

The concluding segment calls for more attention to be paid to the issues raised by dollar store workers and the need for the companies to be more transparent about their practices.

• Communities have blocked proposals to build new dollar stores, but many of the existing stores are unlikely to close as they are often the only retailer in the area.
• There is a need for the companies to address the concerns raised by their employees and implement the changes they are asking for.
• Until such changes are made, the companies should at least be more transparent about the retail and workplace experience they provide.