Wal-Mart Plays Fear Factor and Workers Lose

Fear is a fantastic motivator.

It has been used by the likes of Ghengis Khan, Vlad the Impaler and Adolf Hitler.

And now, it's being used by Wal-Mart.

In an effort to push their pro-Republican, anti-worker agenda, the corporate behemoth has begun herding their employees into mandatory meetings where the topic is simple and clear: vote Republican, or else.

Wal-Mart claims the meetings are held to simply inform associates on the current political issues at hand -- including the Employee Free Choice Act -- but employees say otherwise.

"I'm not a stupid person. They were telling me how to vote," a Wal-Mart customer service supervisor from Missouri who attended one of the meetings told the Wall Street Journal.

The captive-audience meetings come as a direct result of a promise made by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama that have left many major corporations shaking in their white-collar, Italian leather boots. If elected president, Obama will support the Employee Free Choice Act.

The legislation aims to make the formations of unions within the workplace easier for workers, thus allowing working families to gain much-deserved benefits including health care, job stability and, perhaps most importantly, peace of mind. In the world of Wal-Mart, that means actually treating employees like human beings and divvying out livable wages, paid overtime and sick leave.

Critics of the legislation -- Wal-Mart is at the top of the list -- like the current system which allows corporations to repeatedly violate labor law with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. It's clear, however, that for America's hard working citizens, the benefits far outweigh the risks -- especially in Wally world.

So anti-union is Wal-Mart that the corporation has its own bunch of union-busting thugs which are called to sites when mere whispers of organizing arise. Far worse, Wal-Mart is notorious for illegally firing employees who attempt to organize fellow workers.

When the United Food and Commercial Workers successfully organized a small group of Wal-Mart butchers in east Texas eight years ago, Wal-Mart shuttered their entire butcher operation nationally and began selling only pre-packaged meat in its stores. The only Wal-Mart store to successfully unionize, located in Ontario, Canada, was promptly closed by the company after the vote.

A company so enthralled with their slogan "live better" certainly doesn't follow its own advice. In fact, it is because of companies like Wal-Mart the Employee Free Choice Act was spawned in the first place.

It's time we hold Wal-Mart accountable for their actions. Last week, the Change to Win federation of unions delivered more than 60,000 petitions to the Federal Election Commission urging them to investigate Wal-Mart's mandatory employee meetings.

By instructing employees on how to vote, Wal-Mart has once again crossed the line and until the Employee Free Choice Act becomes law, the corporate bully can continue its immoral, illegal behavior.

Comments

[RightWingMarine]

Why is it a bad thing that Walmart paid their employees to listen to an issue the company feels to be important and why they have the stance that they do? Since the voting booth is private any threat that the employee must vote for a certain candidate would immidiatly be seen as an empty threat with zero enforceability.

The EFCA would remove the ability for the company to require a secret ballot vote held by the workers on the question of unionization. Why is a secret ballot vote a bad thing? Under the EFCA only a petition would be required to organize a union in a shop. This would create a very clear incentive for pro union people to get signatures on that petition by any means neccesary. And this would be a very credible threat very easy to enforce.

[sherbug]

Americans cannot complain about anything WalMart does because we keep buying their cheap Chinese goods. Every day we pile in there and buy, buy buy and that's why they run this country and our lives.

Personally, I do not shop at Wal Mart. I will pass by two Wal Marts to go to Target . It is useless to try to get people to stop shopping at Wal Mart but until we do, this is what we get.

Wake up people. Your dollars spent in WalMart are feeding the monster who is devouring this country.

[CaptainObvious]

Better read the fine print on the stuff you get at Target - it's all made in China too, just like everything else. Neither Wal-Mart or Target sell Raytheon Heat-Seeking Missiles or Bunker-Busting Low-Yield Nuclear Warheads, so you won't find anything that's made in the USA there.

[HawaiiBill]

Mr. Hoffa (and the rest of the commenters), could you please state clearly exactly which "law" Wal-Mart is breaking by holding mandatory meetings and advising their employees how they think they should vote? Since Wal-Mart is not in the voting booth with them, how do you draw the conclusion that a corporation is "forcing" someone to vote a certain way? Everyone has free choice in the voting booth and they can choose to take the advice of their employer, their union, their pastor, their local newspaper, or their mother-in-law if they want. They are callled "Endorseme­nts"...but the voter gets to make the final choice...i­n private So please, tell us clearly how they are breaking the law with these meetings? I would have a problem with the meetings if the employees were not being paid for attending them, but I doubt Wal-Mart execs would be that stupid to attempt it.

For the record, I don't shop there either because I don't think "value" and "cheap" are the same thing. But I do believe in HONEST discourse, not inflamatory rhetoric not backed up by fact.

[rwt1138]

Wal Mart held mandatory meetings that all employees were required to attend, at which the management team told the employees that voting for Obama would result in the likely passage of a law that could result in them unionizing. Wal Mart also reprised their standard anti-union propaganda that unions provide no benefit to employees, reduce wages, and will take their money with no return on investment. Also that unions will make it necessary for Wal Mart to close.

Your employer is not permitted, by law, to instruct you how to vote, nor are they allowed to require employees to be present at campaign rallies for political candidates or at sessions where one candidate is explicitly endorsed over the other. Had these meetings been voluntary, then they would have merely been a dark shade of coercive gray. Making them mandatory is illegal.

[HawaiiBill]

Again, please tell us which "law". It's one thing to say it is illegal, but I'm trying to find out by which law. If it is against a specific statute, I will totally back off, it's just that I'm not aware of the law and can't seem to find anyone to step up and be specific. I was also hoping someone who had actually attended one of the meetings would weigh in on just what was said and whether or not they were paid for being there. So far, all the posts and the original blog are from people who weren't present.

And weren't the Wal-Mart execs telling the truth that Mr. Obama being elected WOULD result in the passage of the law and that they would have a better chance of unionizing? I'm not sure I understand what the problem is.

[neuron]

When a Wal Mart employee looks at his/her paycheck, I'm sure they feel like winners...

[Swerinjer]

Go hang out at Walmart and smell the shoppers. You'll always find the very best quality people there.

[mounthood]

You hang out at Walmart to smell the shoppers? What a rewarding, productive life that must be. Get a life!

[Redrover666]

You sound like a very nice person. Democrat?

[BlackWidowPilot]

Republican. Bushevik variety.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[Redrover666]

BlackWidowPilot: A glance at his profile, seems he's your brother.

[crease]

Mr .H, As a union member myself I.A.M. LL141 I am disgusted by Walmart and their tactics, they have broken the law by even suggesting to their slaves(employees) on how to VOTE, this simply cannot be tolerated by anoyone.Wa­lmart has got a hold in the marketplace because of trade agreements that have left our once great manufacturing and industrial might clinging for life as job after job leaves this country and will not return.I know some who have said it was because of unions and I say we need unions now more than ever because of corporate greed.Corp­orate greed is they only reason our jobs went overseas because of cheap labor,tax cuts from our gov`t and the countries our companies do business with and the fact that these Third World countries don`t have or use any type of standards when it comes to the environment, worker safety or workers rights.Gre­ed has taken a good hold just like the robber Baron days of old only much much more toxic this time around.Gre­ed is costing America`s working and middle class it`s livelihood and future and without unions to protect us we might as call it a modern day feudal system where the rich get richer the slaves(working and middle class) get to scramble for the scraps.Thi­s non-sense has to stop or we will be a third world country ourselves with no future.In solidarity, a union brother from Detroit.

[booksnmore4you]

Look, you don't understand. Some people must have, other must not. Yet there you sit and complain and com-lain and complain. Sheesh.

[mergina]

Wal-Mart is China, and any country that confiscates bibles from people who are visiting for their poisonous olympics (and i could care less about the bible, believe me), is the reason behind Wal-Mart. They would run it like the Chinese run their people, into the ground with little or nothing to show for it. Do this or else.

TO HELL WITH WAL-MART and everyone who shops there.

[salespud]

Spoken like a true liberal...­to hell with all the poor people that shop at Wal Mart. Ever once in a while the liberal forgets and lets their true feelings out. "Smell the people shopping at Wal Mart" and that type of arogant statement. I do not like to shop there but do not begrudge anyone who does shop there. That is there right. Would you complain so much if a union directs their membership how to vote? I am totally for collective bargaining and workers banding together to get a better deal but that is not what the modern union movement is about...it is about greed for the management and top people in the unions and political action and payoffs. Take a look at the salaries of the union organizers and heads of the unions. And talk about thugs...th­ere is as much intimidation and threats from the union side as there is from corporations.

[BarryChamplain]

Yes, that's right, salespud: Wal-Mart is an altruistic social program to aid the "poor people". It's all for THEM.

Nice try, too, on the "pox on both their houses" meme, in which you attempt to paint today's Union movement as a scene from "On The Waterfront". And no, there is no epidemic of "intimidations and threats" by "Union thugs" (?)... because the way I see it, if there were, Unions would be a lot STRONGER, these days. I mean... DUH.

But you just go ahead and keep spreading this crap, and we'll just keep having a society run by the the Walton class...

[zenlikejen]

Aside from the typical liberal-bashing in the beginning of your post - I actually tend to agree with most of the rest of your comment.

My father has been part of a union for over 35 years, and I've seen them screw him over time & time again. On the other hand, my partners father who just retired was also in a union - but this one actually seemed to take care of their workers. Personally - I'm torn on unions.

Do *you* have a viable soluiton or are you too busy chiding liberals for their snotty comments?

[phasor]

A corporation does not own its employees.

By coercing employees, Walmart, or more to the point, Robson Walton, Chairman, and Lee Scott, CEO are denying employees their political freedoms.

Walton and Scott can buy various media commercials or send publications to people homes. They cannot deprive Walmart employees of their freedoms.

The teamsters union should sue Walmart. It would be good use of union dues.

[rwe]

Neither does a union own its members...­..when was the last time you heard a union tell its members to vote their hearts

[FlyingDutchman]

But, they're still free to vote. At least with a union they have a voice.

[mergina]

Neither do governments, and look at China. How China goes, so goes Wal-Mart.

[loril]

Not shopping at Wal Mart has been a very easy decision for me. Their stores are filled with low quality crap. Buy LESS...but of better quality. I know there are many people out there who are truly struggling and can barely afford the basics. For the rest of us...make the "ultimate sacrifice" and cut back on your shopping. You often don't "need" as much stuff as you can talk yourself into purchasing­...even at rock bottom Wal Mart prices.

I broke my rule only once...out in Oklahoma as we were passing through on a vacation out west. Wal Mart was literally the only game in town out there. This is the true tragedy. Many parts of the country have very little (if no) competition for this terrible store.

[Gidster]

It's not that America wants Wal-Mart's cheap Chinese junk, it is unfortunately what most Americans can afford!

[elbzee]

I find it disturbingly fascinating that the repressed hourly pay rates, increasing layoffs, and skyrocketing costs of everything are forcing people to seek inexpensive alternatives. I desperately want to boycott Wal-mart. Sadly, I fill prescriptions there and save money. Makes me feel like a traitor, but hell, 26 bucks saved is $26 earned. It pisses me off that we've been put into this situtation by others' greed and total lack of ethics. (So goes our nation.).

[peterg76]

The Soviet Union called these 'political officers.'

[Westof405]

Here in CA, you can find a lot of basic staples, like laundry detergent and such at the 99Cent store chain. For big ticket items like tv''s and computers, Costco has a reasonable selection, plus fresh food. I got a really nice microwave there-a Sanyo for $50. Costco treats it employees far better than Wal-Mart and is worth patronizing with your dollars. Yes there is a membership fee, but for a family over a year, it won't add that much to your bill. Go with a friend, that's what I did a few times.

As far as what will happen if wages go up at Wal-Mart, look at the Forbes 400 or the list of the world's wealthiest people (which is a different list). Four Waltons are listed with a collective net worth of about 68 Billion dollars. They got mega rich by fobbing off costs such as workers' health care and benefits to middle class taxpayers. They won't exactly be hurting if profits fall slightly.

Wal-Mart wants working class people to stay poor; if the poor start making more money, Wal-Mart knows they will start shopping somewhere else. They create their own customers by driving down wages and benefits not only for their own employees, but for their suppliers' employees around the world as well. It is an ingenious scheme worthy of a managed economy like the old Soviet Union.

[Conservativeslayer]

That's what I've been saying for a long time. Poor people that shop at Wal-mart are subsidizing their own poverty. Wal-mart drives down the wages of everyone, not just those that work there. They force American companies to move abroad, killing off good paying jobs, just so they can keep selling their products at walmart. They force other companies to pay less in order to compete with them. Poor people need to learn that there is a high cost to that low price.

[insanityfollows]

I am so tired of having my life controlled by shareholders and boards. I am all for capitalism, but we can't let corporations hold the consumer or their employees hostage, which Wal-mart and many others effectively do.

[tvfreesince93]

why are you all for capitalism? why not all for buddhism?

[BarryChamplain]

Citizens who've always said they were "for" capitalism, are these days not so enthusiastic, even if they aren't deep political thinkers. How informed do you have to be, to know your job is gone, your house is foreclosed, and your life's in the crapper?

If "capitalism" is identified as the system that did that to you, your ingrained American tribal loyalty to "capitalism" will weaken. And the ruling class, at that point, will have problems.

The right's still attempting to smear its opponents with cries of "Socialist!" or "Communist!" The beauty here is that they've been doing this since the early 20th Century; the last time the meme ran out of steam, it was called The Great Depression. "Communism" and "socialism" were beginning to look like pretty good alternatives to poverty and starvation.

The New Deal was not so much a gift to the people, as it was a lifejacket for capitalism, which wouldn't have survived very much longer, if something didn't give.

But there are no FDR's on the horizon today. Corporate America, in its Alpha Male hubris, isn't planning on doing anything to give back, or to change the paradigm. See also: Wal-Mart. They'll shut down dozens of stores, before allowing one Union shop. America, screw YOU, we're Wal-Mart.

So today, when the GOP cries, "Why, that's SOCIALISM!", younger generations may just say, "Hmm, that might not be a bad idea!" The old, reliable epithet is losing its sting.

[BlackWidowPilot]

"I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations, which dare
already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our
country."

- Thomas Jefferson

We do not have capitalism in the US, but corporatism. Past time to break the grip of this unwelcome aristocracy.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[tbone99]

It wasn't too long ago that Whole Foods was doing the same thing.

[lew]

"If men were angels, no government would be necessary.­" Likewise, if American businessmen weren't such greedy pigs and liars, there wouldn't any need for unions. The Walmartization of America is nearly complete as they have just about driven all manufacturing offshore, therefore driving wages so low that you have to shop there. Unfortunately for America as a whole, that doesn't leave any money left for bigger ticket items such as autos and appliances, etc. We've already lost the consumer electronics, textiles, shoe and ship building industries and we're about to see the implosion of the auto industry. Pretty soon, we'll be a 'nation of shopkeepers' like England. Then we can pile into our little Japanese car and head down to Walmart to save 5 bucks before heading to our dead end, low paying job. Is this really what Republicans want for our country? If so, the future of our American way of life will end sooner than later.

[Conservativeslayer]

Is this really what Republicans want for our country? You bet it is, at least the republicans on top. They'll be benefitting no matter what. But they get the working class people to think what benefits business, benefits them. It doesn't of course. Then when all the good jobs have gone and everyone is poor. They get those same working class people to blame the "liberals" and "environme­ntalists". It's never the policies to blame, it's always the democrats fault.

[FlyingDutchman]

Exactly! That's how they've stayed in power this long. Get people to vote against their own interests by appealing to their social conservatism.

[Danigirl65]

I personally have not been in a Wal-Mart for years. Sam Walton must be spinning in his grave because of what his sons have done to his vision.

Sam Walton touted "Made in the USA" - his kids tout "We want it cheaper and if you want our business, you will take it out of the country to get it done."

So, not only does this company have poor labor practices (I personally know of somebody who was kept just below full-time hours so she wasn't eligible for benefits) they are guilty of undermining the American way. We all like to save a buck, but we should preserve our principals, as well.

If we had simply looked "for the union label when you're buying a coat, dress, or blouse" we wouldn't be in this mess!!!

[elbzee]

Remember that great song? Wow! How many years ago? 30? Damn.