First Wal-Mart Union Begins In China

Raw Story:

The first Wal-Mart trade union in China was formed after the company bowed to government demands for organized labor in its stores, The New York Times reported Friday.

Wal-Mart's reluctance to allow unions, particularly in the United States where they remain banned from stores, has been a point of controversy for many years. But the government-controlled All-China Federation of Trade Unions fought for the right to create branches in the company's 60 outlets.

Beth Keck, director of international corporate affairs for Wal-Mart, said she was aware of the reports of Chinese unions forming and said the company hopes to have a "cordial and productive relationship" with the federation.

"We know they have been interested in having a relationship with our company for some time," Keck said. "We will, of course, be looking forward to how this will evolve."

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has operations in 15 countries, many of which have at least some employees that are union members.

The United States, Keck said, is the "clear exception."

Read the whole story: Raw Story

Comments

[dadw5boys]

So the Cineese see the need for unions to create a middle class.

Well the U.S. Politicians no longer want a middle class and work hard to kill unions.

[einherjar]

The first union organized store in North America was in Canada I believe.

After much legal wrangling, Wal-Mart was forced to abide by the labor laws.

Wal-Mart then decided it was in their best interest to simply close the store for good.

Wal-Mart is a scourge for the American citizen and the American government. Their abuses of both employee's and the system are well documented.

It speaks volumes about where the United States is headed when a country like China, know for abuses in human rights, is more capable of instituting workers rights than the "land of the free".

America is failing.

[Podewumun]

America's downfall began on January 20th, 1981.

[heal57]

Agreed. Let's hope it starts rising January 20th, 2009. I think it will.

[Chavez08]

Amen!!

[gevan]

We can see anything we want on the internet, but freedom in the U.S. is mainly for preditory capitalists. Labor? Fugedaboudit.

[Actionmac]

in China the place they rely on to keep cost down and profit up... what a interesting turn.

Stay tuned America.

[Agnim]

So let's get this straight; the American company, Wal-Mart, will not submit to Americans desire protect American workers; but the Wall-Mart will surrender to foreigners? lol
Way to go, China!

Who said that the Chinese are not protective of 'human rights'? lol

This Wall-Mart situation highlights the disgraceful way that the Republicans have allowed American business execs to dump on fellow Americans.

It must be America's karma, for all those centuries of enslavement violence, that Americans are STILL being disrespected at home by business people!

Good for the Chinese in protecting the 'human rights' of Chinese workers from the repression of wealthy corporate execs.

[mamacat]

Until Wal-Mart either decides to change their stance regarding unions, or is forced to, the abysmal conditions for their employees will, almost certainly, continue. The workers need to have a voice, and for now they have none.

[trollsbwild]

LOL.