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Cheapo Wal-Mart.....

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  • #16
    My opinion, respectfully submitted.

    Umm. so what is keeping the employees form certifying a union? The company has no say in the matter if enough of the employees want a union.

    Some added facts:

    Wal-Mar's average Bay Area hourly wage is $10.82, which compares to a median hourly wage of $10 for cashiers with three years of experience across all non-union retailers in the East Bay, according to the most recent survey by the California Employment Development Department.

    Minneapolis-based Target Corp., whose public image is much better than Wal-Mart's, pays the same as Wall-Mart, according to a recent survey by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 789.

    In addition, several large retailers contribute less to it's employees health care than Wal-Mart does like Home Depot, Penneys. and Macy's.

    So why is all the attention on Wal-Mart while ignoring all of other retailers? Perhaps because union membership has been plummeting in recent years and they see Wal-Mart's 1.6 million employees as a target to increase the unions power and size.

    As I said previously I like a free market. When politicians get into the act and try to curtail the free market you get things like this happening.



    Chicago politicians shot themselves in the foot and apparently still didn't get the message. They have now resorted to try to punish Wal-Mart and other big box companies with their latest lawmaking. It will backfire on them just like this attempt did.

    I should tell you that I was in a union for many years. The union did some good thing and some bad things. I found that the union I was in was only interested in themselves despite their claims to the contrary. When they would take us out on strike they continued to get paid, unlike us. Then they would cave after 2-4 weeks of striking and accept the same offer that was on the table. This happened on three different occasions over a 12 year period. You get the union leadership standing in front of the membership telling you they wouldn't wipe (add body part here) with the company offer then three to four weeks later they would be standing in front of the rank and file proclaiming that it was the best contract offer ever. Trouble was it was the same offer.

    So yes I am somewhat bitter about my union experience and yet I believe there is a place for unions at some companies.

    If enough Wal-Mart employees want a union they can have one. That is the way it works. Turns out that the unions have been unsuccessful at convincing the employees that a union is in their best interest.

    This isn't Wal-Mart's fault it is a union organizing failure.
    Jim
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    • #17
      The thing I hate the most about walmart is the fact that they make the elderly work way into the night. I once went into a 24hr walmart, and every worker there had to have been 70 years or older. Lets give the elderly some dignity, walmart.
      Proud owner of the finest looking car in the parking lot.
      Switch to Linux. Use energy efficient lightbulbs and appliances. Keep your car well maintained and drive easy to save gas. Eat less fast food. Call your mother and tell her you love her. Try flying a kite. Read a wikipedia article daily. Use Meguiar's.

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      • #18
        More fallout on the Chicago city government decision to set minimum wages and benefit levels for big box companies in Chicago.



        It's going to cost Chicago tens of millions in tax revenue and 750 jobs. This is not good news for anyone living in Chicago but even more so for the cities poor. Target's 90 million dollar, 32 acre development was planned for 119th and Marshfield on the cities south side, a very poor area of Chicago.

        If given the choice of a job that pays $7.50 an hour or no job that pays $0.00 and hour, I think most would take the $7.50 and be happy they at least had a job.

        The city just took that decision away from about 750 people, and their action probably will cost thousands of jobs looking forward that just will never come to into the city of Chicago.

        The wealthier suburbs love what the city is doing.
        Last edited by jfelbab; Aug 2, 2006, 05:13 PM.
        Jim
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        • #19
          I hate Wal-Mart with a passion. It was alright until the Super Wal-Mart thing started. Now they have a huge building full of junk. The local super center caused all of our grocery stores to go out of business. I know, this is America and we are a capitilist nation, which is fine. But if you are trying to take someone's place, at least offer comparable products or services. Case in point, the meat at our Wal-Mart taste like rubber. I will drive to another town and buy meat and other groceries at a higher price to get the better quality. I would prefer to support my own community, but Wal-Mart has made that impossible, IMO.
          2005 GMC Sierra-Black(Oh Yeah it's Black )

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          • #20
            Originally posted by indigo s10
            I hate Wal-Mart with a passion. It was alright until the Super Wal-Mart thing started. Now they have a huge building full of junk. The local super center caused all of our grocery stores to go out of business. I know, this is America and we are a capitilist nation, which is fine. But if you are trying to take someone's place, at least offer comparable products or services. Case in point, the meat at our Wal-Mart taste like rubber. I will drive to another town and buy meat and other groceries at a higher price to get the better quality. I would prefer to support my own community, but Wal-Mart has made that impossible, IMO.
            Hmm... thats odd, I've witnessed the exact opposite effect here, after Super Wally moved in.

            We had a supermarket monopoly here, now there are smaller chains moving in, apparently, able to compete successfully with/against walmart.

            There is a new plaza, built right next to a Supercenter. There was nothing much in this town prior, it's about 45mins away from the nearest city and/or shopping. This new plaza has a video game store, hair salon, sneaker/shoe shop, a clothing store or two, and a couple other things. Each retail spot providing jobs, which in addition to walmart's positions, were all completely non-existant to begin with. Theres also TWO doughnut/coffee shops in the immediate vicinity, and a new SubWay too.

            And yes, there is still the same overpriced supermarket across the street, still surviving after 4-5 years of walmart supercenter direct competition.

            And closer to me, Walmart has'nt had any impact on my favorite butcher shop. His customers know what good meat is, and where to go to get it. He isn't worried. People who want cheap were never shopping at my butcher's shop to begin with.

            I can think of EIGHT different grocery chains here, and not one of them has good quality meats. In fact, none offer anything better than walmart, sometimes even worse, but always costs more regardless.


            I think the whole Anti-Walmart mentality is just downright rediculous. I have my gripes with the store, to be certain, but they are no worse in that department than any other store.

            Aside from my minor gripes, I'm watching Walmart revitalize areas and bring MANY decent jobs. You compare Walmart jobs to any other retail, like Kmart or Target, they ALL ****! But, thats why your parents told you to stay in school, so you would'nt have to work an entry level, minimum wage job.

            Just how much money do you think an entry level, minimum wage job should pay? Walmart is within Federal/State guidelines. I suppose my point is, if you don't like the situation... you should be taking your issues to your elected representatives, and trying to change the laws, not complaining about Walmart... and further, Walmart should not be "singled out" as the big, bad, evildoer corporation. Like I say, they are within legal guidelines which they had no hand in creating.

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            • #21
              I look for some sort of government intervention to help deal with the WM issue. It may not be here in America, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the EU take some sort of action to try and stop the outflow of jobs to China.

              I just can't see how WM officials can sleep at night, knowing that they have been largely responsible for sending good paying jobs overseas and thereby causing the standard of living to suffer in their own country.

              Course none of this would have happened had our politicians not granted a communist country, Most Favored Nation Trade Status.

              Our leaders were telling us that it would open new trade doors, but all we are shipping to China is raw material, recycled cardboard, etc....And they in turn are sending us boxes with goods in them. Not to mention that this has caused energy prices to climb to ungodly levels.

              I'm all for a free economy, but not at the expense of national security.

              A small business owner here in town put up a sign a few years ago when jobs were leaving this state in droves, while at the same time, WM was opening more and more stores.....It read:

              "What good are low prices if you lose your job?"

              That sign said it all.
              r. b.

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              • #22
                Originally posted by Rusty Bumper
                I look for some sort of government intervention to help deal with the WM issue. It may not be here in America, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the EU take some sort of action to try and stop the outflow of jobs to China.
                What does the EU have to do with the jobs, or the import/export business of the USA?

                I just can't see how WM officials can sleep at night, knowing that they have been largely responsible for sending good paying jobs overseas and thereby causing the standard of living to suffer in their own country.
                Yep, it's all Walmart's fault.
                General Motors, Ford, and Daimler Chrysler, sold you and yours down the river long before Walmart came into the picture.

                Course none of this would have happened had our politicians not granted a communist country, Most Favored Nation Trade Status.
                What about Mexico, Phillipines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, etc...

                Our leaders were telling us that it would open new trade doors, but all we are shipping to China is raw material, recycled cardboard, etc....And they in turn are sending us boxes with goods in them. Not to mention that this has caused energy prices to climb to ungodly levels.
                Back to the EU, you do realize they, along with Canada, have been paying ungodly fuel prices for years and years, right?

                And you do realize fuel prices have little to do with any country, but rather... the futures market right here in our own U. S. of A.

                You do also realize, of course, that NAFTA and CAFTA were put into effect by your own, elected, good ol' hometown politicians.


                I'm all for a free economy, but not at the expense of national security.
                Blowing things a little out of proportion, don't ya think? Blaming Walmart for the downfall of society is one thing, but you feel they're selling secrets to the enemy or funding terrorists, or what?

                A small business owner here in town put up a sign a few years ago when jobs were leaving this state in droves, while at the same time, WM was opening more and more stores.....It read:

                "What good are low prices if you lose your job?"

                That sign said it all. [/B]


                Yeah, and the jobs that mattered, once upon a time in this country, were things like the steel industry... gone before walmart. The auto industry, gone before walmart. General manufacture was 100% on the way out before walmart...

                Find me a store selling all made in the USA stuff! (and I'll show you a store full of very overpriced junk, pretty much.)

                If there was NO walmart, there would still be Target. And they would be selling all the same goods, all made in China or elsewhere. And on it goes... Kmart, Costco, Sears, CircuitCity, etc.



                I don't like the fact that I have to look to Japan for a decent car.

                But I don't like paying Unionized labor rates of $38/hr and up... for a vehicle thats almost entirely foreign anyways, only assembled by a bunch of bums more concerned with lunch breaks, vacaion time,benefits, and overtime.... than they are interested in assembling a quality product. I end up paying $50K for a vehicle thats hardly worth $5K overall. AND... $5K is all I'll get for it too, when I go to trade the junk in.

                The bottom line is that... long ago, the UNIONS shot themselves, and this country.... in both feet.

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                • #23
                  Originally posted by Gonzoli
                  What does the EU have to do with the jobs, or the import/export business of the USA?
                  The WM/ China situation is causing problems with other country's job base too.


                  What about Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, etc...
                  They have not had the impact on our economy like China has. China does not want to play buy the rules sometimes either.


                  Back to the EU, you do realize they, along with Canada, have been paying ungodly fuel prices for years and years, right?
                  That's because of their taxation policies.


                  And you do realize fuel prices have little to do with any country, but rather... the futures market right here in our own U. S. of A.
                  The reason fuel prices are as high as they are now is because WM and the consumer are driving the Chinese economic machine. Unfortunately, other retailers are jumping on the bandwagon too. China's thirst for energy grows daily and there is only so much oil available on the market to feed it...Thereby driving up energy prices.

                  You do also realize, of course, that NAFTA and CAFTA were put into effect by your own, elected, good ol' hometown politicians.
                  Absolutely. I was never for this from the start.

                  Blowing things a little out of proportion, don't ya think? Blaming Walmart for the downfall of society is one thing, but you feel they're selling secrets to the enemy or funding terrorists, or what?
                  Not at all.

                  The communist government over there knows that a economically weak USA will not be able to field a strong military like we do now. It takes a lot of money to to float 12 carrier battle groups around the world, plus the bases and service men that are needed to help keep the peace.

                  Ronald Reagan bankrupted the Soviet Union, and I believe the communist government in China intends to do the same to us. They are also investing their newfound wealth into updating their weapons systems, military, etc. for more than just defensive purposes, IMO.

                  Let's not forget...Communism is still communisum.

                  Yeah, and the jobs that mattered, once upon a time in this country, were things like the steel industry... gone before walmart. The auto industry, gone before walmart. General manufacture was 100% on the way out before walmart...
                  Not quite. We still have GM, Ford, Nucor Steel, and others.

                  I wouldn't say that 100% of general manufacturing was on the way out before WM, but ever since our politicians sold us down the river with free trade agreements, we have lost a lot of jobs.

                  Find me a store selling all made in the USA stuff! (and I'll show you a store full of very overpriced junk, pretty much.)
                  Wow. That's a strong statement.

                  I always look for "Made In the USA" when I shop. I find that American made products are the best in the world for the most part.

                  If there was NO walmart, there would still be Target. And they would be selling all the same goods, all made in China or elsewhere. And on it goes... Kmart, Costco, Sears, Circuit City, etc.
                  I don't doubt that, due to the way our trade agreement(s) is set up. But I don't think the trade deflict would be no where as bad as it is now. WM's policy has encouraged many manufacturers to set up shop in foreign countries....namely China.


                  I don't like the fact that I have to look to Japan for a decent car.

                  But I don't like paying Unionized labor rates of $38/hr and up... for a vehicle thats almost entirely foreign anyways, only assembled by a bunch of bums more concerned with lunch breaks, vacation time,benefits, and overtime.... than they are interested in assembling a quality product. I end up paying $50K for a vehicle thats hardly worth $5K overall. AND... $5K is all I'll get for it too, when I go to trade the junk in.

                  The bottom line is that... long ago, the UNIONS shot themselves, and this country.... in both feet.
                  You make a valid point here. The auto workers make way too much money in my opinion. This is one area that is due for a major overhaul.

                  If you do have to buy a car from Japan, at least the Japanese embrace freedom.

                  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                  I know I have made some strong statements here, but I would hate to see the economic power base of the world shift away from America. I firmly believe that a strong America and freedom go hand in hand. If the power base of the world ever shifts away from our shores, then freedom's existence could be at stake.
                  r. b.

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                  • #24
                    Originally posted by LiquidBlack
                    The thing I hate the most about walmart is the fact that they make the elderly work way into the night. I once went into a 24hr walmart, and every worker there had to have been 70 years or older. Lets give the elderly some dignity, walmart.
                    Every worker? Including the ones moving palettes of merchandise and resatocking the shelves? Sounds like some pretty strong employees.

                    Walmart MAKES the elderly work into the night? How? At gun point? Maybe the employees PICKED the graveyard shift. Fewer customers, slower pace and less work. In the summer, working at night means working in lower temperatures.

                    Of course, you think it's dignified to have 70 year olds working their butts off in during peak rush hours and collecting shopping carts out on that broiling asphalt parking lot during 100 degree days.

                    Maybe dignity is having a job at 70 years of age instead of being shuttled off to a retirement home.

                    If you're so offended by Walmart, DON'T SHOP THERE. Don't be a hypocrite - pay more down the street and Mom & Pop's Local Market - you KNOW they pay for medical, dental and vision insurance for their employees and they DON'T hire anybody over 65.

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                    • #25
                      Originally posted by STG


                      If you're so offended by Walmart, DON'T SHOP THERE.
                      This is what I try to do whenever possible.
                      2005 GMC Sierra-Black(Oh Yeah it's Black )

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                      • #26
                        Originally posted by indigo s10
                        This is what I try to do whenever possible.
                        Ditto, i haven't been inside a Wal-Mart in over 6 years. I have no need to shop there, and don't see one in the future.
                        Lew

                        "...will separate aircraft for food"

                        My Mercedes Benz S600

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                        • #27
                          Originally posted by atclew
                          Ditto, i haven't been inside a Wal-Mart in over 6 years. I have no need to shop there, and don't see one in the future.
                          Gee. A Mercedes S600 who doesn't need to shop at Wal-Mart. See ya on Rodeo Drive!

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                          • #28
                            Well I can say I hate all the big box stores. I work in a "Mom and Pop" store and these stores are killing our town here. Between Wal Mart, Walgreens, CVS and KMart, there are very, very few good home town stores anymore. We can't beat their prices, but they can't touch our great service we offer. That's why I like ADS, they follow our example of customer service.

                            I too avoid these stores as much as possible. But, since Wally World has been here with the other big boys, there are not really any places to shop for everyday items. I try to shop at Kroger for everything I need, but somethings can only be bought at Wally World. Nevertheless, it will come down to buying power and prices and I know the big box stores will keep on hurting us.
                            2016 Focus ST

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                            • #29
                              Originally posted by Gonzoli
                              Find me a store selling all made in the USA stuff! (and I'll show you a store full of very overpriced junk, pretty much.)
                              Isn't Craftsman stuff made in the USA?
                              Lydia's Mobile Detailing
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                              1997 Dodge Dakota SLT V8 - Green
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                              • #30
                                Originally posted by Lydia
                                Isn't Craftsman stuff made in the USA?
                                Not all of it.

                                Jim
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