Comments on: Union once again looking to organize Wal-Mart workers

By: Arkin

Arkin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:59:31 +0000

It seems that most retailers are really turning into fascists. I recently interviewed at Staples, which I worked at 10 years ago, and made $10/hour then.
When asked what my salary expectations were, I said I made $10 back then and was looking for similar, feeling that was being more than reasonable considering the recession and 10 years inflation, and 10 years customer service experience.
The manager kind of chuckled and said it was all handled by some “system” they have today, and that I would be lucky to get $8.00.
They also expect complete control over your schedule with no flexibility, and apparently have some new way of micromanaging your work, as well as having canned the previous performance based commissions with some new group based con.
Anyways, point being that these corporations are are truly turning themselves into feudal lords, treating workers lick garbage, and while people like “Rick” might be sitting lucky right now, this future is coming to him just as well.
Unless people start standing up you can’t call USA a free country.

By: walmart worker midway

walmart worker midway — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:15:33 +0000

well the marking team must be up set their moving all the ass managers out of midway and to other walmarts.

By: Wal-Mart accused of labor-law violations « At Home He’s A Turista

Wal-Mart accused of labor-law violations « At Home He’s A Turista — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:30:47 +0000

[...] 789 is part of a nationwide effort by the UFCW to organize workers at the country’s largest employer. The campaign, targeting more than 100 stores in 17 states, was prompted in part by the presence of [...]

By: jack mallen

jack mallen — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:28:39 +0000

Rick, you set your own wage standard ? Wow, you are really super human and you say you look for another job if your boss says no to your demands. I’ll bet you look for a lot of jobs. Again, non union workers set no standards for anything in America because they represent nothing. They have NO collective voice and its a fact, Jack!

By: jason q.

jason q. — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:35:44 +0000

What are you Rick, some kind of a Wal Mart manager ? By the way, what Teamster Local Union were you a member of ? I don’t believe that you were even a member. Provide it or please just admit what you are.

By: john stabler

john stabler — Sat, 30 May 2009 13:48:32 +0000

DUMMY!! Get out of your parents basement!

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 29 May 2009 08:52:01 +0000

Jack, John…
Jack first. How can you tell that these employees were fired for trying to start a union drive and not performance issues? I’ve seen the two tied together. The person gets canned for doing something wrong, then says it’s because they favored a union, and of course the press picks up on it and runs with it. The NLRB law is very factual when it comes to organizing. If there was any merit to this, then those individuals could very easily file a class action lawsuit as has been done by other Walmart employees and they’ve won. As a fact one of those suits was right here in Minnesota regarding Federally mandated rest periods. Regarding your comment about the 5 years redress issue, I agree. But please tell me where any government investigation goes quicker, especially with a lawsuit attached. And we want MORE government? I also don’t understand your accusation of me being one sided, but if that’s your belief, so be it.
John, so setting wage standards is exclusive to unions??? Uh, no, I set my wage standard. If I feel I’m not being compensated enough for my labor I do two things. Prove my worth to my boss. If he says pound sand, then I look for another job. I would much rather have it that way than get paid the same as some joker who sits in a chair and complains how hard done by he/she is then scampers when the team lead walks around the corner. And thanks for showing your true colors. I had an inkling there was something fishy about your posts. You’re a lobbyist!!! That explains a lot. Let me ask you this: why would a group of non-unionized workers go and lobby any lawmaker? Think about it. The non-unionized ones are just more content than the unionized ones, that’s all.
Please tell me how companies delay the bargaining process too if you would. Do you mean negotiating a new contract? So what. Both sides have to agree to that, if not, the union can call a strike unless it’s being mediated (by a government official from the NLRB of course)
And both of you guys gotta hop off the “blame Bush/Cheney bandwagon. It’s Congress who enacts the laws guys, the President just makes them law. Who controlled Congress for most of Bush’s term?

By: John Stabler

John Stabler — Sat, 23 May 2009 13:35:01 +0000

Rick, I”ve got my facts straight. This blog is about Wal Mart workers attempting to unionize. Again, and very clearly, NON UNIONIZED workers DO NOT set wage standards in the United States. Nor do they COLLECTIVELY lobby, organize, bargain and promote safe working places. They can’t because there is no power in one individual at all. A group speaks louder than one. In all of my years of lobbying lawmakers on workplace issues there has NEVER been a group of non union workers there to promote any issue which would help workers. NOT ONE, not ever! Go to the National Labor Relations Board website and READ all of the charges against many companies that unfairly and illegally fire workers for exercising their rights under the NLRA. You will also see that many companies delay the bargaining process illegally. This has been going on and escalating since Ronald Reagan took office and accelerated under Bush/Cheney. By the way, Bill Clinton was not a liberal.

By: jack mallen

jack mallen — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:54:33 +0000

Boy, Rick, You really do not sound like a blue collar worker at all. First of all and contrary to all of your ravings. Labor law in this country namely the NLRA is broken, sir. There has been recent testimony on Capitol Hill by employees who were FIRED (illegally) for attempting to organize a union
in their workplaces. There were 20 (former) Wal Mart employees at this hearing chaired by Rep. George Miller who described in detail the tactics used by Wal Mart against its employees seeking to unionize. It was also documented by the National Labor Relations Board which administers the National Labor Relations Act. Along with those fired Wal Mart employees testifying were other illegally terminated employees who also attempted to organize a union at their workplaces across various occupations. The remedy for correcting company intimidation and illegal firings is a joke under the current law (NLRA). It can take up to 5 years to for an illegally fired employee to receive justice and this is well documented too. Rick, you are the one who is missing the point because you are so one sided. The voters have spoken in 2008 and BUSH/CHENEY……GONE!!!

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:13:04 +0000

John, I’ll take a moment to refute your act of deception.
J.S. Union workers and their organizations are constantly in the trenches fighting for working Americans. Wal Mart doesn’t and NEITHER DO NON UNION workers.
R. I would disagree to a point. Most unions once the foot is in the door and solidify their collective bargaining agreement have an “ironing out period” where changes in the initial contract are noted. After that period, it’s pretty much the status quo, where pay and other issues (medical, pension etc) are demanded. If the union is entrenched, essentially they can hold the company hostage. My labor is represented by me. I’m smart enough to stand on my own and negotiate my salary. To wit, look at all of the contract labor in the work force today competing against each other and making a small fortune.

J.S. One World Economy” that the Bushs’ and their friends created which has wrecked havoc on the middle class.
R. Ummm, ya lost me here. Are you talking about NAFTA? That would be Bill Clinton. If not, much of the “world economy” you decry started in the early ’70’s.

J.S. THEY CAN NOT effectively organize under current law.
R. Can you please cite which law you are talking about? It is against Federal Law for a company to interfere with a union drive. This is known as the Wagner Act or The National Labor Relations Act of 1935. While this act has been amended, it is still fully in place with regards to forming a union.

J.S. Wal Mart promotes trade with communist nations and promotes manufacturing with those same entities.
R. Then do your damndest (like me) not to buy from these countries. I’m with ya on this one John. The goods made in China and many other countries manufactured and exported here are junk. I also do my absolute utmost to buy American. I’m an immigrant and one thing that I think many Americans don’t appreciate is how blessed they are to be Americans. I’ve felt the warm embrace of America allowing me into it’s arms, hence I do my absolute best to buy domestically made products. And yes, we’re cutting our own throats giving China our $$$ of which they turn around and chum up with countries that are either our enemies or dislike our way of life.
J.S. even though with Republicans running the country for 8 years our infrastructure has went to hell.
R. Please explain. And don’t cite the 35W bridge or any other bridge. Most bridges are built for a minimum 60 year life span, so your liberal buddies that ran the country 8 years before Bush are just as culpable.
J.S. Also, Wal Mart makes BILLIONS of dollars and more than 75% of their working population is on some sort of government assistance WHICH WE PAY FOR.
R. John, one of the saddest things I saw when I was in the service was the state of the military families. A lot of junior enlisteds with families were on food stamps and lived on base housing which on some bases was substandard and pathetic for our way of life. It’s still the same in some areas. Let me ask you this. If I pumped gas for 40hrs a week and had a family would it be any different if I were on food stamps? NO! What it would do would propel me to get out and improve myself. Which is what I did. Now two degrees later and substantial investment in myself, I’m making great money, buying American made vehicles (Escalade was my last purchase) and paying my share+ of taxes.
J.S. do not tell any of us that Wal Mart sets the standard for a decent living because they don’t.
R. They have saved the average American family $900 per year on their shopping bill.
J.S. Trading with communist countries is the most Un-American thing that has ever happened and Wal Mart is doing it, every day.
R. Ummm, so is Target, Macy’s, Payless Shoes, Sears, Best Buy and every other major retailer in the country. What about Nike? GM? How about checking where your stereo equipment and HDTV are made? I cited how we could become more competetive above, but maybe you missed it. Here it is again: Labor has left this country for varying reasons. Costs of infrastructure, utilities, taxes, litigation, and yes labor are huge reasons for the departure of manufacturing.
Please take a deep breath and reread my post right above yours.
J.S. You want a nuclear powerhouse ? Put it in your back yard along with the waste.
R. I live in Wright County. I have two powerplants in my backyard, one nuclear and one coal. I don’t glow and I don’t have black lung disease.

I admire your passion John, but you seem to be shooting from the hip rather than examining the entire picture. Please note that on some of your response I agree with you. But ramming news laws and regulations down manufacturers throats just makes us less competetive and plucks the petals of capitalism from the blossoming flower.