Have you seen Wal-Mart's new TV commercials? They feature real Wal-Mart employees talking with great pride about Wal-Mart's massive response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
And they should be proud. The Walton family, CEO Lee Scott and their 1.2+ million U.S. employees have shown the world how the company's generosity and mammoth distribution systems helped save lives at a critical time for our country.
But now what? What comes next?
Remember before the hurricanes when Wal-Mart was bruised and battered by widespread discrimination charges, a federal grand jury investigation, reports of dirty political tactics and insider scandals at the highest ranks of the corporation? None of these have gone away.
Now that we've seen Wal-Mart's power and potential, it's time to hold them accountable.
Each year, Wal-Mart tightens its stranglehold over entire industries. They don't negotiate, they dictate. The victims are millions of American workers and small business owners who simply can't compete. Making matters worse, contrary to their commercials, Wal-Mart treats its own employees as servants by leaving over half of them without health care, relentlessly opposing their attempts to organize and subjecting thousands to unpaid overtime and gender discrimination in pay and promotion.
So what can you do about it?
Wal-Mart Watch is the new advocacy organization committed to reforming Wal-Mart's destructive business practices. Next month, along with over 350 partner organizations from across the country, we are organizing "Higher Expectations Week," including hundreds of public events and thousands of house parties designed to bring attention to the dangers of Wal-Mart's unchecked growth. We need your help.
It was Wal-Mart's founder Sam Walton who once said, "High expectations are the key to everything." With plans underway for this exciting week, I couldn't agree more. I do have higher expectations for the world's largest company. Do you?
Together, I believe we can make Wal-Mart a more responsible company. By drawing attention to their abuses, we can make them enact real and lasting reforms that will improve the lives of millions of employees and families.
In fact, we've already begun!
The goal of Wal-Mart Watch is to unify the forces working for reform. From national labor campaigns to the local efforts of independent bookstores, we've begun building a nationwide coalition to demand change.
Today, Wal-Mart operates just over 1,700 Supercenter stores. By 2010, Wall Street expects this number to soar to 3,131. We simply can't wait any longer.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have opened the eyes of the world to the harsh realities of poverty and inequality in America. It has also showed us the awesome power of our largest corporation to do good.
Let's not allow this unique opportunity to slip by. Help us transform Wal-Mart to be a better employer, a better neighbor and a better corporate citizen. Please sign up today.
http://walmartwatch.com/november
You can read more about the negative effects of Wal-Mart's business practices in the growing series of special reports by Wal-Mart Watch. Go to their website to find latest research on this very important issue.
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