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Wal-Mart warns managers about labor bill

Posted: 08-02-2008 07:57 AM
by whskyfan
Wal-Mart warns managers about labor bill
Fri Aug 1, 2008 7:57pm EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Friday it has warned U.S. store managers in recent weeks about the possible consequences of a labor-friendly bill backed by Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama that would make it easier for workers to form unions.

But the retailer, which has kept its U.S. stores free of unions, stressed it was not telling employees how to vote.

The Wall Street Journal reported that about a dozen employees who attended meetings in seven states said executives had told them that unionization could force Wal-Mart to cut jobs as labor costs rise, and that employees would have to pay hefty union dues and get nothing in return.

The Journal said Wal-Mart human-resources managers who run the meetings do not specifically tell attendees how to vote in November's presidential election, but they make it clear that voting for Obama would be tantamount to inviting unions in.

"If anyone representing Wal-Mart gave the impression we were telling associates how to vote, they were wrong and acting without approval," Wal-Mart spokesman David Tovar said.

Wal-Mart opposes proposed legislation called the Employee Free Choice Act that would make it easier for workers to unionize, by signing a card rather than holding a vote.

Obama, a co-sponsor of the original bill, has called for passage of the act. Last June, presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain voted against it.

"We believe EFCA is a bad bill and we have been on record as opposing it for some time," Tovar said. "We feel educating our associates about the bill is the right thing to do."

Wal-Mart has long been the target of union-backed groups that criticize the retailer for everything from its pay practices to its health care benefits.

News of the store manager meetings drew the ire of Wal-Mart critic groups Wal-Mart Watch and WakeUpWalMart.com, as well as the AFL-CIO labor federation.

"Wal-Mart has once again been exposed for what it really is: a corporation that will go to any length to put profits ahead of its workers," Meghan Scott, spokeswoman for WakeUpWalMart.com, said in a statement.

"Wal-Mart has talked a lot about changing its ways on health care, the environment and workers rights, but this article shows that all that talk hasn't translated into action," she said.

Link

Posted: 08-06-2008 12:37 PM
by Conspiracy Theorist
Hopefully, this will backfire on Walmart. Time was, folks would have thought of unionization as a GOOD thing!

Posted: 08-06-2008 03:05 PM
by Shirleypal
This is a sick greedy company who has ruined small town America, when are the American people going to wake up and boycott these barracudas.:mad:

Posted: 08-07-2008 12:43 AM
by Jon-Marcus
Hopefully, this will backfire on Walmart. Time was, folks would have thought of unionization as a GOOD thing!


I can't say that it's not a good thing is some places, such as in the northeast, but in states with "right to work" laws it's a waste of time and money being in a union. That's my experience anyway. Been in a union twice in Louisiana and once in Texas. Sad to say but it did me more harm than good each time.

This is a sick greedy company who has ruined small town America, when are the American people going to wake up and boycott these barracudas.


In my honest opinion;
When Wallyworld stops selling "Made in China" products that's when they'll get boycotted. But then, of course, it'll be for the wrong reasons.

Posted: 08-16-2008 04:27 AM
by bonzelite
Hillary served on Wal Mart's board for years. Both parties are New World Order minions and servants of greed and evil.

Posted: 08-18-2008 10:20 PM
by OMG
Walmart is one of the top companies who influences the lower-standard of wages in this nation.

Posted: 08-19-2008 01:51 AM
by bonzelite
Wal Mart needs to die.

Posted: 08-20-2008 12:11 AM
by eagle
I don't like wal mart either. I went their one time shopping for Christmas presents with my ex wife. After walking around in the toy isle I told her that all this stuff is junk and will end up in a landfill in a month and I never went back.

I noticed some people on a couple of news channels tend to stick up for wal mart and also the people who own a small business when they hear some one who says raise taxes. And they say raising taxes will hurt the small business owner. But if wal mart would come to a town and the small business owners didn't want them there and the people didn't want them there who do you think they would stand up for then.

I'm thinking wal mart.

Posted: 08-20-2008 11:00 PM
by bonzelite
wal mart is so wealthy and powerful that they are in effect a government unto themselves. they are the quintessential example of a corporate business model controlling entire populations and economies. wal mart has more net worth and power than many countries.