I feel like going at Wal-Mart Today.

[Kittycat]

Not to buy anything, naturally, but to sport my Obama shirt. Maybe hand out some Obama stickers and a couple of Rally Signs (I happened to get some delivered yesterday). Because really - this article has me steaming!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121755649066303381.html?mod=hps_us_whats_news

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is mobilizing its store managers and department supervisors around the country to warn that if Democrats win power in November, they'll likely change federal law to make it easier for workers to unionize companies -- including Wal-Mart.

In recent weeks, thousands of Wal-Mart store managers and department heads have been summoned to mandatory meetings at which the retailer stresses the downside for workers if stores were to be unionized.

According to about a dozen Wal-Mart employees who attended such meetings in seven states, Wal-Mart executives claim that employees at unionized stores would have to pay hefty union dues while getting nothing in return, and may have to go on strike without compensation. Also, unionization could mean fewer jobs as labor costs rise.

[BlueJazz]

1. In other newS >>> "A Senior Wal-mart Spokesman made this Sobbing statement"...

We at Wal-Mart (Sob)..are...are just terrified at this new direction our Corporation may take"
We'll have to pay...(Sob)...a Living Wage...and raise our prices by as much as 3 cents"

....Said the Spokesman as he boarded his 47 Ft Yacht ...

[sourmilk]

2. "...pay hefty union dues while getting nothing in return..."

:rofl:

My union dues are $26.32 per month.

Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show the typical union worker's pay and benefits are 33% higher than what non-union workers get.

In 2000, union carpenters averaged $20.45 an hour base pay. Nonunion? $13.51. Union drywallers averaged $17.93 an hour in 2000. Nonunion? $12.19.

Wages and salaries for union workers average 16% higher than for nonunion workers.

Among union workers, 52% have family medical coverage that is wholly paid by the employer.

In non-union work places, only 18% have such coverage.

Similarly, with dental care, union members have a significant advantage. In union work sites, 49% of workers have family dental coverage that is financed wholly by the employer.

Among non-union workers, only 19% have employer paid dental coverage.

WalMart managers are full of BS.

[Hestia]

4. My DH's is $36.82, but he cheerfully pays it, say that he wouldn't

have his great job with actual benefits without the Union. He even attends
local union meetings.

[sourmilk]

12. I have only a few months "on the job."

I wouldn't have a job, PERIOD, without the Union.

[Barack_America]

9. But Wal-Mart workers need that $26 so they can buy their own healthcare!

:eyes:

This is going to backfire on Wal-Mart. They act as if their employees don't realize they're being screwed by not having union representation.

ETA: As if $26 could buy anyone healthcare, lol.

[Hestia]

3. The downside of being HQ'd in a Right To Work State. Problem

is though, when you talk to people, they want to be in a union, especially after seeing
how much better union workers have it than non-union. Keep the "Collective Bargaining"
meme going and no matter what spew Wal-Mart says, it won't stick.

[saltpoint]

5. Good for you. Sport that t-shirt and make sure the Greeter

sees it, plus all sales clerks, and as many assistant managers as possible.

Wal-Mart is an enemy of the people. Richest company on earth and their record with paying their workers and providing them benefits generally is very poor.

[Kittycat]

7. I wouldn't be surprised if I knocked on the greeter's home door on Wednesday.

Our new Super Crap-Mart is located on the same landmass as our area's "active adult" community (single family & duplexes for retirees). I walked that neighborhood with our state senator Wednesday, and had a great response from everyone I spoke for the most part, including a Vet/former POW. Saw a few Obama signs as well. I'm sure they're feeling the pinch right now with the economy.

[redqueen]

10. I wonder how many liked his comments about Social Security. (nt)

[Frances]

6. Walmart likes Repubs

because they make so many people poor. When the economy is good and people have jobs, Walmart loses business.

[redqueen]

8. I wonder what Wal-Mart's employees are talking about

with each other, after these meetings.

The anti-union rhetoric really heated up in the 80's... hope people are finally catching on that while unions have their flaws, better to have a flawed one than none at all.

[Barack_America]

11. "You mean, if we vote Obama, we might FINALLY get unionized and get healthcare?"

"Wow, where do I get a lawn sign?"

[MessiahRp]

13. It should be illegal to spread political propaganda to employees

That creates a situation where misinformation steers workers to vote for what their employers want and builds a false image that if they don't vote for what their employers want they are voting against their jobs.

When I worked at AT&T they sent out this kind of shit to convince it's workers to pressure Wisconsin Legislators to give away the farm for U-Verse. The bill they got passed allowed U-Verse to, unlike Cable, build where they wanted and avoid neighborhoods that weren't profitable as well as classify U-Verse as not cable so it didn't fall under any oversight regulatory committee like Cable did. Meaning there is nobody there to help you if your service is down, they don't fix it and you get charged for it unfairly.

There's too much undue pressure and too many workers don't have enough information to know their job isn't on the line.

Rp

[faithfulcitizen]

20. But that would cut both ways, wouldn't it? Then unions couldn't endorse candidates?

[MessiahRp]

22. Well I would be for that on worksites at least.

The problem is the Union doesn't employ the worker, the business does and employees are being pushed by the very people who can take their job away and that makes it more difficult to make an open minded choice.

Rp

[Blue_Roses]

14. Sadly, many who work there will believe it

because there isn't much room for debate.

[nc4bo]

15. Backwards selfish neo-con thinking.........

the problem now is, no one will be able to buy any thing from wally word if they don't have the $$ to spend.

[nc4bo]

16. dupe.

[Eric J in MN]

17. K & R

NT

[beezlebum]

18. beat me to it

after years of avoiding it and protesting and discouraging friends and family from it, i have been very reluctantly shopping walmart for my groceries. i have been just desperate enough to shush my conscience and pride and dignity ("yes, i told you guys not to shop there, and now i'm doing it...i feel so hypocritical!!! :blush: :cry: ") and begrudgingly do so.

with three sets of school uniforms and school supplies to purchase this year, theirs are the most affordable on my paycheck to paycheck budget, and walmart shaves about $100+ off my grocery bill. we are living off of overdraft protection for the last 3 months, so i haven't had much choice.

i will not shop there any longer. i'll fast if i have to!

walmart has always nauseated me, but my disgust is thoroughly rejuvenated- thank you, walmart, for reminding me exactly why i hate you.

[Kittycat]

21. Uniform Swap?

Does your school or community organize a uniform swap? It's like a hand-me-down program. I went to a private school, and remember back then (1986) I was in Jr. High, and my family had NO money. I was so embarrassed when my mom took me to the school one day, a couple weeks before school started, to find used uniforms to wear. When I got there, the gym was overflowing with uniforms - girls on one side, boys on the other. All of my friends were there - even the richest among us - moms trying skirts on over our shorts - telling us to turn around, get on our knees to check the length (we had 1" above the knee rule) - and then on we went.

The program basically starts that during or at the end of each school year, you turn in a minimum of 3 outgrown uniforms, and you get 3 new to you uniforms in exchange at the start of the following school year. Before the swap day happens, Seniors show up for community credit, and organize the entire thing. They sort the clothing by size & style, set up the tables, and manage the paperwork.

If you had to buy new, a single skirt cost $75 back then. My grandma eventually made me a couple as well - but what a wonderful program that was :)

I also shop at resell places for play clothes, and watch the coupons for stuff like 8 folders for $1, crayons for $2, etc - then start shopping early, picking up a bit at a time, instead of all at once the week before school starts. My son has an odd list though - so sometimes we have to be creative. The most annoying part of my son's list is snacks that they request we bring in for the class. The issue is that my son has a feeding tube, and doesn't eat. But at least the other kids enjoy it - I guess. I'd rather buy construction paper and glue sticks, but it is what it is.

[beezlebum]

23. thanks kittycat

:)

sounds like a cool program- if I can't find one, maybe I could help get one organized. I will look into it. I do believe there is a local consignment, but it's small. i really wish i had the means to sew. my son had holes in every pair of pants from last winter- i could probably hem them up to shorts.

our uniforms are very basic (school color- one of which is a not so common school color and hardly anyone carries it except the PTA- or plain white polo shirt from any outlet providing the appropriate color and khaki or navy blue bottoms), not terribly expensive depending on where from, but adds up when trying to budget enough for 3.

[faithfulcitizen]

19. Yes, and alienating 40-50% of the population is GREAT for business! This is a really stupid move.