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Earlier today, the National Labor Relations Board general counsel issued a decision that they will prosecute Wal-Mart for alleged widespread violations of workers’ rights, which includes illegal firings and disciplinary actions made against workers who participated in legally protected strikes.

According to a press release, today’s decision stems from charges filed a year ago, when Walmart managers “escalated their efforts to threaten and discourage workers from going on legally protected strikes” on Black Friday last year. Additionally, the Federal Labor Board will also prosecute Wal-Mart’s illegal termination and disciplinary actions in relation to the more than 100 employees protested the company’s shareholder meeting in Bentonville, Ark.

“The Board’s decision confirms what Walmart workers have long known: the company is illegally trying to silence employees who speak out for better jobs,” Sarita Gupta, executive director of Jobs With Justice and American Rights at Work, said in the release. “Americans believe that we have the responsibility—and the right—to speak out against corporate abuses of workers, and this proves we’re finally being heard, and making kinks in Walmart’s armor. Customers, clergy and community members from across the country are standing with Walmart workers bravely calling for better jobs and a stronger economy for all of us.”

Although the extent of the National Labor Board’s prosecution isn’t know yet, workers who were illegally fired, threatened, or had illegal disciplinary action taken against them could be awarded back pay, reinstated, and have a reversal of those disciplinary actions. Additionally, Wal-Mart could be required to “inform and educate all employees of their legally protected rights.

In August, more than 100 former Walmart workers gathered in front of their D.C. offices to protest the very same things that the charges alleged Wal-Mart of committing. Several were arrested during the rally.