Wal-Mart employees throughout the nation staged protests for higher wages on Black Friday.

The Associated Press reports Wal-Mart workers in Washington stood outside the mega-chain's store near Union Station, demanding to be paid $15 an hour and to be given full time hours. According to Fortune, the group, which goes by the name "Our Walmart," planned demonstrations at 12 different locations across the country.

The demonstrations have become somewhat of a tradition, this being the group's fourth Black Friday protest since 2012. The movement has not been without success. Earlier this year, Wal-Mart agreed to implement higher wages of $9 an hour, and plans to raise wages to $10 an hour by February 2016.

Denise Barlage, who planned to protest outside the New York City condo of Wal-Mart heiress Alice Walton on Black Friday, told Fortune the group would not waver in its fight for higher wages. She said the goal was still to attain $15 an hour.

Barlage speaks from experience. The former Wal-Mart employee was laid off when the company closed five of its locations for plumbing repairs. Now, Barlage says she is unemployed and living off government benefits.

In April, Fortune reported that several Wal-Mart workers filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing the company of terminating employees for organizing against the corporation. Workers were only given a few hours notice before they were laid off due to the alleged six-month repair period.

In response to the planned demonstrations, Wal-Mart spokesman Brian Nick said the average full-time employee earned more than $13 an hour with an opportunity for bonuses, as well as a matching 401k. and health care benefits.

"We know it takes quality [employees] to give our customers a great shopping experience," Nick said in a statement, "and we're proud of the wages and benefits package we offer."