Target workers fight back against opening stores at midnight for Black Friday

(WXYZ) - A Target employee has submitted a petition to corporate headquarters in an effort to push back stores' midnight opening for Black Friday.

In the past, Target opened at 5 a.m. on Black Friday, but this year, stores will open Thanksgiving night at midnight.

Many employees are angry because they say the earlier opening time cuts into their family time on Thanksgiving.

They've collected 200,000 signatures on a petition demanding corporate executives push back the opening time.

Employees brought the petition to Target's corporate headquarters in Minneapolis on Monday.

Target executives accepted the petition, but said opening early helps stores compete with other businesses.

"It is imperative that we are competitive. Our guests have expressed that they would prefer to kick off their holiday shopping experience right after the holiday celebrations rather than getting up in the middle of the night," said Anahita Cameron, a Target executive.

Target isn't the only store opening at midnight the night of Thanksgiving. Best Buy, Kohl's and Macy's are also opening at midnight. Walmart and Toys 'R Us open at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving.