Anyone following the Walmart Unionization in Canada?

[SLO]

Urchin, you were correct, they are gonna close the store, saw it in the papers today

[NUKE]

Originally posted by Urchin
Man, you are the perfect Walmart propogandist..  


The problem isn't just that Walmart pays sub-sustinance wages in an attempt to "cut costs", it is that they force all of their competitors to do the same or face bankruptcy.

So what are you going to say when in 50 years ALL jobs are "Walmart jobs"?  Move to another country?  Love it or leave it?

boo hoo.

Walmart doesn't force anyone to do anything. And, if in 50 years, all jobs are Walmart jobs, I'll eat my hat.

Walmart is not some evil monster. They employ a lot of people who otherwise might not have jobs, plus they sell things at good prices. What's wrong with that?

Unions are the reason some no skilled moron screwing on lug nuts at an auto plant makes $30.00 an hour.

[Airhead]

Originally posted by indy007
LOL. I have 2 jobs, a small business, I go to school at night (no loans/grants/scholarship/parental help), and spend time with my low maintenance girlfriends. If somebody doesn't make enough money to support their lifestyle... they need a second job. Right now I work upwards of 80 hours a week and still find time to study and play. I just don't sleep much.

I also intentionally live well below my means, so I don't get into the same dire financial positions I see my co-workers fall into.

Yup. Scrimp and save, work two jobs PLUS hustle on the side, and you, too can achieve the American Dream.

Thank you for making my argument for the needs of organized labor.

OTOH I admire your drive and willingness to do it yourself, and wish you the best of success.

[GRUNHERZ]

Airhead whats your opinion of APWA?

[LePaul]

From what I read, that store isnt performing well.  The article I saw on Yahoo also indicated that they were in negotiations but what the union folks want is unattainable.  So, stalemated, Walmart is shutting the store.

I've heard both stories about the WalMarts...like Airhead mentioned, some are a real drain on local communities since they do not offer any benefits.  On the other hand, I've heard from folks who work there that they DO have benefits, they just have to be there 6months to a year to qualify.  Which is really true...I dont know.

How much should a guy in an apron make?  Its minimal wage work.  I mean, WalMart isnt known for its enormous wages, folks...if you want the lowest price on something, hit it.  But if you are looking for jobs...it aint the kinda place I'd target my resume for.

For me...I think our local WalMarts look run down.  I prefer the local Target, thank you  

[rpm]

Originally posted by NUKE
boo hoo.

Walmart doesn't force anyone to do anything. Walmart is not some evil monster. They employ a lot of people who otherwise might not have jobs, plus they sell things at good prices. What's wrong with that?

Nuke, the problem is WalMart is a preditory retailer. They are almost singlehandedly responsable for the destruction of small town America. Let's take my local WalMart SuperCenter as an example.

Prior to WalMart, there were dry goods, hardware and stationary stores in 4 small towns in my county. Then WalMart moved in. They undercut the prices of the small Mom & Pop's and drove them out of business. All the while running "Buy American and save American jobs" ad campaign. Now there is no choice in these 4 small towns except to drive to the county seat and buy from WalMart who has raised their prices because there is no competition. They also have stopped buying American to save American jobs.

What happened to these former Mom & Pop small business owners? They are now working as greeters at miminum wage for WalMart, adding insult to injury.

Before WalMart, if you had a problem with an item you could return it with no problem. Now with WalMart, if you return too many items, you are blacklisted and they will not accept any returns fom you. Nevermind if the items are made poorly in Sri Lanka or China. You take what they give you and live with it.
Did I mention they search your basket on the way out, automaticly assuming you are a thief?

Granted, this is only the story of what has happened in my county. But it is repeated over and over again across America. WalMart is evil, pure and simple. WalMart.

[Nash]

There's also the fact that over twenty percent of all music sales go through Walmart, who just happens to love meddling with its suppliers. If Walmart won't stock it, ya might as well not make it. What do ya do? Make something Walmart can approve of. Real great.

[oboe]

Yes I have heard Walmart strong arms its suppliers - they basically tell them they have to set up shop in China to achieve the kind of profit margins they require.   You disagree, they cut you out and you die.   That's what happened to RubberMaid.

Free market capitalism really does have an ugly side to it, from a common man's point of view.

Paraphrasing Twain, "I have always been opposed to billionaires, but it would be dangerous to offer me the position."

[vorticon]

funny thing is, quebecs minimum wage is $7.45, and all the walmart stores ive been are staffed by people 14-18, and semi retired old people, working 15-20 hours a week...neither of which require anymore than minimum wage pay for a minimum skill/work job

[Lizking]

It is easy to survive in a small town with a Walmart.  I know, I have done it with a "Mom & Pop" hardware store.  Even when Lowes also moved in, less than a mile a way, it did not hurt sales for long.  All it takes is service.

What you also must understand about Walmart and any other big-box is that they adjust their prices to the local conditions.  A small retail can never beat them on price, but the box store will also not try and beat the locals by very much.  Maintain quality products, excellent service and the nearby presence of a big box will actually draw business TO you.

I have seen it for years selling to small hardware stores, and, like I said, exprienced it firsthand.

[Airhead]

Originally posted by Lizking
It is easy to survive in a small town with a Walmart.  I know, I have done it with a "Mom & Pop" hardware store.  Even when Lowes also moved in, less than a mile a way, it did not hurt sales for long.  All it takes is service.

What you also must understand about Walmart and any other big-box is that they adjust their prices to the local conditions.  A small retail can never beat them on price, but the box store will also not try and beat the locals by very much.  Maintain quality products, excellent service and the nearby presence of a big box will actually draw business TO you.

I have seen it for years selling to small hardware stores, and, like I said, exprienced it firsthand.

WalMart doesn't compete in the hardware business Lizking, wait til Home Depot comes in- then post about how well you're doing.

[OneWordAnswer]

Originally posted by Urchin
Re: Anyone following the Walmart Unionization in Canada?

No.

[Lizking]

Sorry, Bud, they do(Walmart).  I suppose you have never been in one?  And Lowes is Home Depot in gray paint.

[NUKE]

I guess we shouldn't have supermarkets either because they have driven away all the small mom and pop grocerey stores


Walmart is not the bad guy. People love to punish and blame and milk for money large, successful companies.

What about the big bookstore chains? Or Best Buy? Lets get em! Those bastards!

[Nash]

Originally posted by OneWordAnswer
No.

Thanks for unscrambling the mystery for us, OneWordAnswer. I can only speak for myself, but I was on the edge of my seat, wondering: "Is OneWordAnswer following the Walmart Unionization story?"

The rest of the discussion was a tease. Thanks for putting the real question to bed.... I can breathe easier now.