Unions are Jealous of Wal-Mart

[Accountable]

Teachers' Unions Join Campaign to Demonize Wal-Mart

By Susan Jones

CNSNews.com Senior Editor

August 10, 2005

(CNSNews.com) - The nation's two largest teachers' unions are joining the anti-Wal-Mart campaign, urging Americans to buy their back-to-school supplies somewhere else.

At various press conferences around the nation on Wednesday, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers will join other union officials in a campaign called "Send Wal-Mart Back to School."

It's part of the "Wake Up Wal-Mart" project, a union-inspired effort to pressure the large and profitable company that does not welcome union labor -- and promises "always -- low prices." (Wake Up Wal-Mart is a project of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.)

Critics have blasted the successful Wal-Mart company for everything from the number and size of its stores, the wages it pays, and what some view as its negative impact on American culture.

Wal-Mart counters that it supports communities financially andemploys 1.6 people associates worldwide - 1.2 million in the U.S. It says it buys merchandise and services from more than 61,000 U.S suppliers and supports over 3 million supplier jobs in the United States.

Wednesday's anti-Wal-Mart press conferences are part of a "coordinated nationwide launch covering 32 cities and 20 states," a press release said.

Speakers at the press conferences will present Wal-Mart with a failing report card, which gives Wal-Mart an "F" grade in five areas: poverty level wages; taxpayer abuse; poor benefits; discrimination; and child labor.

The "child labor" entry notes that Wal-Mart, earlier this year, agreed to pay $135,540 to settle federal charges that it broke U.S. child labor laws, including laws preventing minors from operating "dangerous machinery."

The unions on Wednesdaywill call on Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott to adopt a "zero tolerance" policy on child labor.

Local teachers, students, civic and community leaders also will ask members of the community to sign a "back-to-chool pledge," promising to buy their school supplies somewhere other than Wal-Mart.

"I am tired of paying for Wal-Mart's failure," the pledge reads. "With over $10 billion in profit, Wal-Mart can afford to do better than poverty level wages, no company health insurance for more than 600,000 employees, discriminating against 2 million female workers and violating child labor standards."

The pledge says, "Together, we have the power to change Wal-Mart and improve America."

The Wake Up Wal-Mart campaign is urging activists to "adopt a Wal-Mart" for protest purposes; and to download flyers and sign-up sheets "to recruit your friends, family, and others in your community to sign the pledge with you."

On its website, Wal-Mart advertises that "our values are elementary." The ad copy promises big savings on back-to-school essentials, from backpacks to laptops.

The retailer also offers a "back to college" section on its website, including a "revolutionary" Freeloader Student Shopping Card, which allows parents to "take care of your student even when he or she is far from home."

[chonsigirl]

I go to the 99 cents store for my supplies, get more for my money!

*since teachers supply alot of their own classroom materials*

[abbey]

What age is considered "child labour" in the States?

please.

[LottomagicZ4941]

Unions do sometimes seem more intrested in our dues then helping us.

However I do also think they are victims of their own sucess. They have given workers such gains that workers don't think we need them.

I use to work for a ma pa grocery store and I would always hear how Wal-Mart's prices were lower. That is true on some stuff but I knew of lots of products where we had Wal*Mart beat.

They have certain things discounted and you don't realize that your overpaying on other stuff.

And the campaign has done some good. Wal*Mart has increased what it pays it's employees.

I do shop Wal*Mart from time to time. Feel guilty for shoping there as well cuz I know they don't treat their workers well. But perhpas that is improving.

I do own shares of Wal*Mart in my mutual funds.

Lotto

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MagicZ4941A

[abbey]

LottomagicZ4941 wrote:



I do shop Wal*Mart from time to time. Feel guilty for shoping there as well cuz I know they don't treat their workers well. But perhpas that is improving.



I do own shares of Wal*Mart in my mutual funds.



Lotto


That's a bit hypocritical is it not

[Accountable]

Unions are like firearms. Very useful. damned dangerous in the wrong hands. Handy to keep around in case you need'em ... in an emergency! Haven't had a labor emergency in years if not decades.

[Jives]

I'm ambivalent. On the one hand, I hate to see big corporations slamming their workers and making them virtual slaves...

On the other hand, I like low prices as much as anyone.

[Accountable]

Oh come on!



Do people honestly believe it's as bad as the union wonks are bellowing?

What? I guess the Wal-Mart employees would join a union, if only they made enough to afford the dues?!?

[Jives]

Let me add something, the kind and quality of the WalMart workers that I see in my hometown (with dirty jeans and ragged T-shirts with a blue WalMart vest over them!)makes me think they are all damn lucky that WalMart doesn't seem to be too discriminating. I seriously doubt that they could get jobs elsewhere, because they certainly couldn't all work at McDonald's!

So maybe WalMart should apply for tax exempt status as a CHARITY ORGANIZATION!!!:D

[chonsigirl]

'Tis true dues cost, teachers pay them if they choose. Child labor laws:

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/

[abbey]

chonsigirl wrote: 'Tis true dues cost, teachers pay them if they choose. Child labor laws:

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/
Thanks C Girl, the same as in Britain then x

[MicahLorain]

Without the benefits unions have brought to the country we'd be living like the corporate slaves of the early 20th century. We would have a very large, poor class and a very small super rich class. Much like Mexico or worse. Though unions have fallen into the hands of big business democrats, they serve an important role in our society. I'd love to see the current big labor structure fall apart, break with the democrats and return to their roots as workers advocates. Until then Americans will not do a thing until wages and benefits further plunge, more jobs are sent overseas and pensions are deleted, along with health insurance and safety on the job. Unions need to be remodeled, not exterminated.

[BTS]

chonsigirl wrote: 'Tis true dues cost, teachers pay them if they choose. Child labor laws:

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/


So:

You being a teacher, do you choose to pay into the teachers union?

If so why?

If not why?

Do you endorse your union in this matter? (if a member)

[MicahLorain]

JAB wrote: On this I would agree with you. But who's to agree on what the new model should be? The recent defections of certain unions from the AFL-CIO is proof of that.

Jives, I also agree with you. The closest WalMart where I live is filthy and disgusting. Items are strewn about and customer service is non-existant. The floors are sticky with god knows what that I pity anyone wearing open-toed shoes! I'll take a clean Target any day.
The cracking of the AFL-CIO is a welcome sign for the future of organized labor here in the US. Once an admirable organization that was responsible for bringing some of the wealth of corporate industrial America into the pockets of the people that built this country, it has since morphed into yet another ATM for the capitalist democratic party. It's used by wealthy dems to finance their campaigns. It used to be the dems were closer to the needs of the working man than any other party. Now that isn't true. An Independent Labor Movement is needed. Sure there would be factionalism, etc but getting the message out that corporate political domination of organized labor just won't be tolerated anymore is essential. Of course we must suffer alot more than we are now before people take the threats US workers face more seriously. The current political climate states there is something wrong with a US worker making a high wage, recieving good benefits and health insurance and having a good pension. I don't make much money but would gladly pay more for everything I usually buy if I knew US workers made it at a good wage.

[BTS]

Washington State Teachers Union Boycotts Wal-Mart And Hurts Itself Instead





As Martha Stewart would say, "That's a good thing." The not-so-good thing is that the Union had to go and spoil it:

The WEA recently decided that, despite the direct benefit to children, the Children's Fund will now refuse to reimburse teachers for some of their purchases simply because [a] great many of the receipts members submit for reimbursement are for purchases from Wal-Mart.



FULL STORY

[MicahLorain]

BTS wrote: Washington State Teachers Union Boycotts Wal-Mart And Hurts Itself Instead





As Martha Stewart would say, "That's a good thing." The not-so-good thing is that the Union had to go and spoil it:

The WEA recently decided that, despite the direct benefit to children, the Children's Fund will now refuse to reimburse teachers for some of their purchases simply because [a] great many of the receipts members submit for reimbursement are for purchases from Wal-Mart.



FULL STORY
Boycotting is so 70's, and unrealistic. It makes people think they are doing some great service but it actually has no effect on the boycott target. It's "Champaign Liberalism" at it's worst. Would you boycott a possible future Chinese owned oil company? Teachers have enough on their shoulders without having to follow silly edicts like Boycott WalMart. BTW my WalMart is clean.

[Accountable]

MicahLorain wrote: Without the benefits unions have brought to the country we'd be living like the corporate slaves of the early 20th century. We would have a very large, poor class and a very small super rich class. Much like Mexico or worse. Though unions have fallen into the hands of big business democrats, they serve an important role in our society. I'd love to see the current big labor structure fall apart, break with the democrats and return to their roots as workers advocates. Until then Americans will not do a thing until wages and benefits further plunge, more jobs are sent overseas and pensions are deleted, along with health insurance and safety on the job. Unions need to be remodeled, not exterminated.
AMEN! :yh_clap

[Accountable]

Scrat wrote: A WEA boycott of Walmart? I am going to go shopping there the rest of the month!!!



The schools here crank out idiots and gangsters and keep kiddie diddlers on the job then the admin sits on their fat *sses and think of ways to molest the world around them for gain.



I need a new TV for the bedroom, I'll go to Walmart.
Wasn't it union efforts that got tenure enstated, so that a teacher that maintains a pulse & doesn't p*ss the bosses off long enough can not be fired for cause?

[LottomagicZ4941]

abbey wrote: That's a bit hypocritical is it not


I like the other 99% of what New Era holds.

Sometimes you gotta take the good with the bad.

Lotto

http://www.flalottomagic.net/?sponsor=Z4941

MagicZ4941A

[Jives]

Scrat wrote: The schools here crank out idiots and gangsters.


Didn't you go to school, Scrat? So which are you, a idiot or a gangster?:wah:

[chonsigirl]

:yh_rotfl

[abbey]

Jives wrote: Didn't you go to school, Scrat? So which are you, a idiot or a gangster?:wah:could be a gangter who's an idiot!

[MicahLorain]

It's relatively universal that white suburban school districts do a fantastic job at educating kids. Urban school districts and rural districts struggle with that age old enemy Poverty. And lack of school funding. In this area the wealthy counties simply pass tax , bond increases and turn out excellent students headed to college. These elections don't happen in the poorer districts, they get overwhelmingly voted down, thus the turn to gangs, crime, and eventually jail or the morgue. It's always been this way. If you have money you'll be fine. If you don't; Go to Hell.

[chonsigirl]

Well, since I work in an urban school I still think it is up to the person themselves what they make out of it all. Do they want to go the way of those they see in the streets, or to better themselves? I tell my students daily that they can do it, go to college, and make a nice life. It was my delight to see 2 young nurses aides in a downtown city hospital, knocking on the window to me when my husband was there in critical condition. They ran over to tell me how much they had learned in my science class, were very proud they were nurses aides, and told me their future college plans. When I saw them it made the tears in my eyes go away for a long time, to know they were there to help watch and work with people who were sick, like my husband. They were making it, and others can too!

[MicahLorain]

chonsigirl wrote: Well, since I work in an urban school I still think it is up to the person themselves what they make out of it all. Do they want to go the way of those they see in the streets, or to better themselves? I tell my students daily that they can do it, go to college, and make a nice life. It was my delight to see 2 young nurses aides in a downtown city hospital, knocking on the window to me when my husband was there in critical condition. They ran over to tell me how much they had learned in my science class, were very proud they were nurses aides, and told me their future college plans. When I saw them it made the tears in my eyes go away for a long time, to know they were there to help watch and work with people who were sick, like my husband. They were making it, and others can too!


That is encouraging to hear. It really is. I live in an urban neighborhood and work in a wealthy suburb. At home I see parents that never had any interest in school bringing up kids that feel the same way. There is alot of violence, poverty, single mom's with several kids in one bedroom homes, battered houses, no retail but liquor stores and McDonalds and little hope. Once in awhile the local news will have a story about an urban child that surpassed all obstacles and succeeded. It is a rare thing, at least here. The other 90% or more are killing eachother. For what it's worth I admire your motivation and hope. We need teachers like you in KCMO!

[nvalleyvee]

I went to Wal Mart today and there were so many people buying school supplies. They had fliers for the different schools and grades and teachers.

[MicahLorain]

nvalleyvee wrote: I went to Wal Mart today and there were so many people buying school supplies. They had fliers for the different schools and grades and teachers.
Teachers I know have to buy many supplies from their own pocket. They can only afford WalMart.

[nvalleyvee]

Sad but true -- they had a tax free week end for school supplies here - I bought a bunch of stuff and took it to the school. My kids are grown but they are not the end of America's legacy.

[MicahLorain]

nvalleyvee wrote: Sad but true -- they had a tax free week end for school supplies here - I bought a bunch of stuff and took it to the school. My kids are grown but they are not the end of America's legacy.
It's rare to hear of such generosity these days.

[LottomagicZ4941]

MicahLorain wrote: It's rare to hear of such generosity these days.


Hum should do some random acts of kindness.

The movie Pay it Forward is great!!!

Back to Walmart and Unions.

Perhpas if Walmart were not evil the unions would not be able to demonize them?

Just a thought!!!!

Lotto

http://www.forumgarden.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6736

MagicZ4941A

[Accountable]

LottomagicZ4941 wrote: [...]Perhpas if Walmart were not evil the unions would not be able to demonize them?[...]
Evidence is not necessary to demonize someone (or something).



Perhaps if Walmart were evil it would be unionized.