UFCW: Wal-Mart Gets Sweetheart Deal on Child Labor Violations

[paineinthearse]

See discussion at
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3113372
(has comments by US Rep George Miller & Sec. Labor Elaine Chow).

UFCW: Wal-Mart Uses Children for Hazardous Jobs in U.S. Stores; Retail Giant Gets Sweetheart Deal on Child Labor Violations

2/14/2005 5:29:00 PM


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To: National Desk

Contact: Greg Denier of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, 202-466-1591

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is a statement of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union:

The nation's largest employer, and one the nation's largest corporate political donors, was cited for using children in dangerous jobs in its U.S. stores; and, then got a sweetheart deal that gives the company fifteen days advance notice before the government will initiate any investigation of future violations of federal workplace laws.

According to allegations contained in a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor, Wal-Mart was engaged in the unconscionable practice of using children to operate hazardous machinery in stores in New Hampshire, Arkansas and Connecticut. The machinery referenced in the case- balers, shredders and compactors- are standard equipment in retail stores, and are commonly associated with injuries involving the crushing or severing of arms and hands. Safety regulations on the books for decades have prohibited employers from using children to operate the machines. A company the size of Wal-Mart with a long history of operating retail stores should have been well aware of the law as well as the dangers to children in operating the restricted machinery.

While the corporate giant with billions of dollars in revenue agreed to pay a $135,000 fine, its representatives got a sweetheart deal that could insulate the company from getting caught in future violations. Wal-Mart gets fifteen days written notice of any government investigation or audit. Wal-Mart can work a child on a compacting machine or baler without fear of any unannounced enforcement action, and simply reassign the child worker during the time of the prearranged inspection. Further, the agreement allows the company ten days to correct the violation. A literal reading of the agreement would allow Wal- Mart to continue to put children at risk for over a week even if the government uncovered the violation.

Wal-Mart was the biggest political giver in the 2004 election, with the overwhelming majority of its money going to the party controlling the White House, Congress- and, the Department of Labor.

The UFCW is preparing a letter to the Secretary of Labor, and will seek Congressional review of the agreement.

For more information, contact Greg Denier 202-466-1591

http://www.usnewswire.com/

[diatribal]

1. Do they offer

10 days to put the kid that got squished in the cardboard squisher back into one piece?

That's just sick and wrong. And one more reason to never shop at WalMart.

[TO Kid]

2. One question

How do they define "children"? Most child-labour laws prohit employing anyone under 14, so the "children" cited here are probably teenagers. Without knowing the ages of those doing the work, the exact nature of the job being done and the level of supervision these claims are rather dubious.

The reason I bring this up is because my first regular job was at the public library, where I was hired at the age of 14. One of my duties was to mow the lawn, therefore one could accuse the library board of having used "child labour" (me in my teens) to operate "hazardous equipment" (a lawnmower).

What concerns me more is the issue of creating special exemptions for influential companies. If Wal-Marts practices are regarded as safe by the regulators then the regulations need to be changed, otherwise they should be expected to follow the same rules as other employers. This is a classic result of over-regulation- those who can afford to buy influence benefit the most while smaller firms suffer.

[German-Lefty]

3. I don't think Walmart hires under 16

At least that was thier policy when I was looking for a job a long time ago. I agree with you. If I'm old enough to work, I should be allowed to use mowers and schreders. Hell, if I'm old enough to drive to work.... The chances are probably worse getting killed that way.

You're also 100% on the money complaining about special settlements for Walmart.
Note walmart isn't a "special interest"; they're a good GOP donator.