Analyzing the "Sins" of Wal-Mart

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

After losing a bitter battle to build a store in Inglewood, Calif., Wal-Mart (WMT ) might like to write off the humiliating defeat at the ballot box as an isolated event. But an unusual one-day conference at the University of California Santa Barbara on Apr. 12 suggests that the world's largest retailer ain't seen nothing yet.

"Wal-Mart: Template for 21st Century Capitalism?" drew historians, sociologists, and other academics from around the country. Community activists, environmentalists, union workers, and others eagerly absorbed the discussions as they pondered the kinds of coalitions that might stop or transform Wal-Mart in the future. Three hundred people, including students, attended the conference.

Yes, there was admiration for Wal-Mart's powerful use of logistics and information technology, the kind of activity that used to get most of the public attention. But the bigger agenda at the UCSB's Center for the Study of Work, Labor & Democracy focused on Wal-Mart's "sins" -- from low wages and lackluster benefits to stress-filled jobs and anti-union managers

-more-

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/apr2004/nf20040415_1545_db017.htm

[Pyrogen]

1. I got my spouse's birthday and anniversary presents at Wal-Mart

this evening (about 11:00pm--with an hour to spare) One was a Timex watch for runners (4 split times). The other was a "smart" coffee maker that she's been asking for. She's very happy with both and I saved $45 between the two, and I got them very late on a Sunday night. Wal-Mart got me out of the doghouse, so you aren't going to get me to say anything bad about them.

[rocktop15]

2. Business Ethics

It is morally wrong, IMO, to go into small town America and destroy all the local business they have to offer by building a Super Walmart. Big cities is fine because there are plenty of choices, but the small town aspect isn't cool. Also, they had a life insurance policy where they could take all their workers life savings upon death. Read Jim Hightower's new book. He has a whole chapter dedicated to the travesty that is Walmart. I try to do as little shopping there as possible.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

3. Wal-Mart's insistence on "lower" prices is the reason....

You can't get any more Levi's products made in America.
I think they had 11 factories, but when they realized that to stay competitive with other brands, they needed to cut their prices drastically. Skilled American workers were the first to go.

In the stores that close at night, they lock their overnight stock staff in, and won't let them leave. If they do leave, they're usually fired.

They used to take out life insurance policies on their eldery workers and collect when said workers pass away.

They don't allow unions in their stores, and fire those who try to organize said unions.

They donate almost exclusively to the Republican party.

There's more, but others here will probably fill in the blanks with links.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

5. The reason Wal Mart was rejected in Inglewood....

...had to do with the fact that they did not want to go through the normal permitting process and filing of an EIS. They thought by having a referendum they could bypass it all.

Surprise surprise!!!!!

[greenbriar]

4. Hubby used to work for Wal=Mart Home office in IT

During the 2000 elections, they handed out a huge memo to tell all their employees to vote bush.

Wish I had kept his

[Digit]

6. I no longer shop @ WalMart n/t