-
-
McCain's Health Plan...Go To Walmart!
McCain talks about the costs of emergency room health care, and how a fine establishment like Wal-Mart should have walk-in health clinics. I wonder if we would ever see John and Cindy waiting in line at the local Wal-Mart for health care.
"Get a duraflame log, a new dvd player and a !@#$ing bypass" - Tim McCain talks about the costs of emergency room health care, and how a fine establishment like Wal-Mart should have walk-in health clin... more -
Wal-Mart Gives Consumers Number 1 Reason Why DRM is Not the Answer
The music industry is struggling to gain a foot-hold in the battle with online piracy. The options available for music lovers to grow their music collection digitally is tremendous and free. So much so that music companies and publishers have struck up agreements with some of biggest names offering digital music: iTunes, Last.FM., Amazon, Myspace, and Wal-Mart.
While the options are appreciated, a certain restriction that comes with the music files is not. To help music labels combat piracy, digital music providers such as iTunes and Yahoo introduced DRM restricted music files to consumers. Today, Wal-Mart has given consumers the number 1 reason as to why DRM was the worst thing ever. The music industry is struggling to gain a foot-hold in the battle with online piracy. The options available for music lovers to grow ... more -
Mexican court rules against Wal-Mart
Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled Friday that Wal-Mart de México, the country’s top retailer, violated the Constitution by paying a worker in part with store cards usable only in Wal-Mart stores.
Wal-Mart de México, which is also known as Walmex and is a unit of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., gives employees electronic store cards as part of their salaries. The court said the practice harked back to exploitative wage schemes of a century ago. Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled Friday that Wal-Mart de México, the country’s top retailer, violated the Constitution by paying a worker ... more -
SCJN anula plan de vales a personal de Wal-Mart por similitud con tienda de raya
México, DF. La Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación (SCJN) anuló el Plan de Previsión Social de una cadena de autoservicio que obligaba a sus trabajadores a comprar en la misma tienda por considerar que implicaba una práctica similar a las llamadas tiendas de raya.
Al resolver un amparo a favor del quejoso, la Corte consideró que un contrato de trabajo que obligue a los empleados a adquirir productos en tiendas o lugares determinados contraviene el Artículo 123 constitucional.
Un particular impugnó el Plan de Previsión Social, mediante el cual una tienda de autoservicio (Walmart) pagaba parte del sueldo del trabajador en vales de despensa, que sólo podían utilizar en el mismo establecimiento.
Al analizar el caso, los ministros encontraron que la práctica conformaba una figura semejante a la de las tiendas de raya abolidas por la Constitución mexicana en 1917. Entrevistada en sus oficinas de la SCJN, la ministra Margarita Beatriz Luna Ramos explicó que la segunda sala declaró la nulidad del convenio reclamado por considerar que violaba los principios del Artículo 123 constitucional.
Recordó que, según los elementos presentados, la tienda de autoservicio, es decir el patrón, pagaba una parte de su sueldo a los trabajadores en vales de despensa que sólo podían canjear en los comercios del patrón.
Esta situación fue considerada irregular, por lo que los ministros de la referida sala acordaron declarar nulo el convenio y con ello, garantizar que los trabajadores sean libres de comprar donde deseen.
...........
If your French is better here is the story in that language:
http://www.lemonde.fr/ameriques/article/2008/09/05/wal-... México, DF. La Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación (SCJN) anuló el Plan de Previsión Social de una cadena de autoservicio que oblig... more -
Mexico Supreme Court orders Wal-Mart to stop paying workers in store vouchers
[JURIST] The Mexican Supreme Court of Justice on Thursday ruled that Wal-Mart de Mexico may not pay employees in part with vouchers redeemable only at its stores. [JURIST] The Mexican Supreme Court of Justice on Thursday ruled that Wal-Mart de Mexico may not pay employees in part with vouchers r... more
-
HP And Wal-Mart Partner To Reduce Carbon Footprint With New Eco Packaging!
As you already know, laptops come packaged in a fair amount of cardboard boxing, plastic and other potential environmental pollutants. The retailers receive these items in even bigger boxes. Their enormous boxes contain smaller ones inside, most with non-biodegradable peanuts and excessive padding material to boot. As you already know, laptops come packaged in a fair amount of cardboard boxing, plastic and other potential environmental pollutants.... more
-
Wal-Mart Sales Climb on Back-to-School Discounts
Sept. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s August sales exceeded analysts' estimates after discounts lured shoppers from department stores and malls facing what may be the worst back-to-school season in seven years.
Industry sales at stores open at least a year climbed 1.7 percent, the smallest monthly gain since March's 0.5 percent decline, the International Council of Shopping Centers said today. Same-store sales at Gap Inc., Target Corp. and Abercrombie & Fitch Co. fell.
Consumers headed to Wal-Mart and Costco Wholesale Corp. to buy groceries and gasoline as the spending boost from government tax rebates waned. J.C. Penney Co. and American Eagle Outfitters Inc. promoted discounts to entice customers to buy clothes, a strategy that may lower profits during the holidays.
``People waited as long as they possibly could to do their school shopping, and they were only out buying what they absolutely need,'' said Jon Fisher, a Minneapolis-based manager who oversees $1.5 billion in assets at Fifth Third Asset Management, including Target shares.
``It's going to be a tough Christmas,'' Fisher said. ``It's the same environment. Stores are going to have to discount to compete for what little traffic is out there.''
Back-to-school purchases from July through September, retailing's second-biggest season after Christmas, may climb 1 percent to $38.5 billion, according to the ICSC. That would be the slowest growth since 2001.
Wal-Mart Sales
August same-store sales rose 3 percent at Wal-Mart, exceeding its forecast for a 1 percent to 2 percent gain, as purchases accelerated during the second half of the month, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company said.
Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, fell 1 cent to $59.78 at 4:01 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. Gap fell 4.2 percent, while Abercrombie & Fitch declined 6.8 percent.
U.S. shoppers cut back on non-discretionary purchases after gasoline prices surged past $4 a gallon earlier this year and costs to buy milk and bread rose. In response, the U.S. government issued rebate checks to stimulate consumer spending. Sept. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s August sales exceeded analysts' estimates after discounts lured shoppers from ... more -
Rapper DMX Curses Out Miami Judge
I mean would you expect anything less? The funny thing about this is that DMX was originally arrested while shopping at a Wal-Mart... Hard times for the once VIP celeb... I mean would you expect anything less? The funny thing about this is that DMX was originally arrested while shopping at a Wal-Mart... ... more
-
How old is your food?
"Between 90 days and six months, we start seeing a breakdown of the aspartame and end up with products that give an extremely bitter flavour - and we don't even know the safety of that yet. They should absolutely bear a label."
*******
Ever wonder how long the food at your local supermarket has sat there, waiting to be brought home and consumed? You might be surprised! "Between 90 days and six months, we start seeing a breakdown of the aspartame and end up with products that give an extremely bit... more -
Unions against Wal-Mart for forced dem. bashing meetings
The US Federal Election Commission (FEC) is being urged to investigate whether Wal-Mart broke the law by holding mandatory meetings for employees where Democratic legislative proposals were attacked.
The American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO) - which represents over 50 unions - the Change to Win labour group, American Rights at Work - a worker advocacy group - and WakeUpWalMart.com have together filed a complaint with the FEC.
The quartet claim Wal-Mart broke the law by disparaging the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), a law that will almost certainly be enacted if Senator Barack Obama is elected president. The law makes it easier for workers to organise a union, a situation that Wal-Mart vehemently opposes, and which Republicans are also against.
"If an employer can manipulate or intimidate its employees into voting one way or another, it seriously undermines political democracy," Stewart Acuff, a spokesperson for the AFL-CIO, told guardian.co.uk.
It is a violation of federal election law for an employer to try to manipulate its employees' votes. Wal-Mart has denied the allegations and analysis shows that in this election cycle its political action committee has split donations almost evenly between the parties.
Wal-Mart spokesman David Tovar said that if anyone representing the company "gave the impression we were telling associates how to vote, they were wrong and acting without approval".
"We believe that if the FEC looks into this, they will find what we've known all along, that we did nothing wrong," Tovar said in an e-mailed statement to AP.
The EFCA will allow workers to join or form a union as easily as the employer can join the chamber of commerce - simply by signing a card or petition. And when more than 50% of workers have signed up, the union is established. Currently, secret ballots are used.
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal has said it has received a recording of a Wal-Mart meeting where the company tells employees that their wages may be reduced to minimum wage for up to three months before a contract is negotiated; that union authorisation cards violate workers' right to privacy by including their social security numbers on them; and that if a small unit within a store voted to unionise, the entire store would be unionised.
Lawyers told the newspaper that those are inaccurate interpretations of US labour laws in general and the EFCA in particular, and could be interpreted as a violation of labour law. The US Federal Election Commission (FEC) is being urged to investigate whether Wal-Mart broke the law by holding mandatory meetings fo... more -
Man charged with sexual assault at Wal-Mart
Police have arrested a man they believe crawled under a bathroom stall at a Concord Wal-Mart and sexually assaulted an 8-year-old boy.
Dennis Erik William Becker, 41, of Concord has been charged with first-degree statutory sexual offense and second-degree kidnapping. He was in the Cabarrus County jail Friday night.
Police say they got new leads about the Sunday crime when they released some of the super center's video surveillance photos to the media earlier this week. Police have arrested a man they believe crawled under a bathroom stall at a Concord Wal-Mart and sexually assaulted an 8-year-old boy.... more -
Arbitrator imposes contract at Canadian Wal-Mart
Employees at a Wal-Mart Stores Inc. outlet in Canada won an arbitrator-imposed contract on Friday, becoming the giant retailer's only location in North America with a collective agreement in place. Employees at a Wal-Mart Stores Inc. outlet in Canada won an arbitrator-imposed contract on Friday, becoming the giant retailer's ... more
-
Wal-Mart: Political bully
Wal-Mart is one of the world's top 20 economic entities. For years, the retail giant has been plagued by bad press. Now it has to fend off a Wall Street Journal report that it's been politically bullying its employees. ANP headed over to a Wal-Mart in Virginia to ask shoppers what they think. Wal-Mart is one of the world's top 20 economic entities. For years, the retail giant has been plagued by bad press. Now it has to... more
-
Wal-Mart Tries Solar Power
In recent months, chains including Wal-Mart Stores, Kohl’s, Safeway and Whole Foods Market have installed solar panels on roofs of their stores to generate electricity on a large scale. One reason they are racing is to beat a Dec. 31 deadline to gain tax advantages for these projects.
So far, most chains have outfitted fewer than 10 percent of their stores. Over the long run, assuming Congress renews a favorable tax provision and more states offer incentives, the chains promise a solar construction program that would ultimately put panels atop almost every big store in the country. In recent months, chains including Wal-Mart Stores, Kohl’s, Safeway and Whole Foods Market have installed solar panels on roofs of the... more -
Wal-Mart Union in China, but not USA
US retail giant Wal-Mart, which has drawn criticism over allegations it is union unfriendly, has reportedly seen staff in China start their first union.
The union was the initiative of some 30 Wal-Mart workers in the south-east province of Fujian, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has 60 stores in China.
In March, the company said it planned to hire an extra 150,000 staff in China over the next five years.
A spokeswoman for Wal-Mart in China said she was unaware about the Fujian union.
Wal-Mart, which started doing business in China in 1996, has previously said that its employees are free to set up unions if they wish and has insisted it conforms with Chinese law.
Wang Zhaoguo, president of All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) - which was established by the ruling Communist Party and claims some 150 million members - has been putting pressure on Wal-Mart.
At the start of July he singled out the firm for failing to establish unions at its stores, while also suggesting it should be compulsory for foreign companies to set up unions for employees.
The Wal-Mart workers were reported to have set up the union in Jinjiang, Quanzhou, in Fujian province.
"One of the major tasks of the ACFTU in 2006 is to push foreign-funded or transnational companies to unionise," Xinhua quoted Xu Deming, the union's vice-president, as saying.
Wal-Mart has attracted criticism in the US and Canada for its perceived anti-union stance, and there have been union pickets outside its North American stores.
Independent trade unions are illegal in China, with all workers belonging to ACFTU.
However, labour analysts say the ACFTU has had a poor record in improving worker rights.
China is a major source of cheap goods for Wal-Mart's US operations, with $18bn of merchandise sourced there in 2004.
But in terms of Chinese outlets it has lagged behind Carrefour of France, which has 78 stores, although there are plans for Wal-Mart China to build 18 to 20 new stores during 2006.
Why haven't people started a Wal-Mart union? I do not even work at Wal-Mart and I want to start an anti-Wal-Mart petition/Wal-Mart Union.
According to the documentary "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices" (2005) it does not seem that Wal-Mart has good standards and is not a good job anywhere.
Are you a Wal-Mart employee? Are you a Sams Club employee?
Do you think a Walmart union will improve their workers job?
Since Walmart claims to provide many jobs to people when they come into a town, could a Walmart union improve the average US working conditions for those without college degrees? (Ones who work in the low wage/store employment) US retail giant Wal-Mart, which has drawn criticism over allegations it is union unfriendly, has reportedly seen staff in China start ... more -
Wal-Mart tells employees how to vote, attempts to curb unionization
So if that pod the other day about Chevron and the Ecuadorian government got you a bit miffed, here's one about Wal-Mart and their wonderful lobbying and scare tactics!!!
Don't you love it how they fight for the corporation's "life" at the expense of those of its employees??? So if that pod the other day about Chevron and the Ecuadorian government got you a bit miffed, here's one about Wal-Mart and thei... more -
US: Wal-Mart fearful of Democratic win
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the worlds largest corporation, is mobilizing its store managers and department supervisors around the country to warn that if Democrats win power in November, they'll likely change federal law to make it easier for workers to unionize companies - including Wal-Mart.
In recent weeks, thousands of Wal-Mart store managers and department heads have been summoned to mandatory meetings at which the retailer stresses the downside for workers if stores were to be unionized.
According to about a dozen Wal-Mart employees who attended such meetings in seven states, Wal-Mart executives claim that employees at unionized stores would have to pay hefty union dues while getting nothing in return, and may have to go on strike without compensation. Also, unionization could mean fewer jobs as labor costs rise.
The actions by Wal-Mart - the nation's largest private employer - reflect a growing concern among big business that a reinvigorated labor movement could reverse years of declining union membership. That could lead to higher payroll and health costs for companies already being hurt by rising fuel and commodities costs and the tough economic climate.
The Wal-Mart human-resources managers who run the meetings don't specifically tell attendees how to vote in November's election, but make it clear that voting for Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama would be tantamount to inviting unions in, according to Wal-Mart employees who attended gatherings in Maryland, Missouri and other states.
"The meeting leader said, 'I am not telling you how to vote, but if the Democrats win, this bill will pass and you won't have a vote on whether you want a union,'" said a Wal-Mart customer-service supervisor from Missouri. "I am not a stupid person. They were telling me how to vote," she said.
"If anyone representing Wal-Mart gave the impression we were telling associates how to vote, they were wrong and acting without approval," said David Tovar, Wal-Mart spokesman. Mr. Tovar acknowledged that the meetings were taking place for store managers and supervisors nationwide.
Wal-Mart's worries center on a piece of legislation known as the Employee Free Choice Act, which companies say would enable unions to quickly add millions of new members.
Business-backed organizations are also running ads aimed at building opposition to the bill, including the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, which counts several hundred industry associations as members.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has made defeat of the legislation a top priority. In the past six months, it has flown state and local Chamber members to Washington to lobby members of Congress. On Thursday, the Chamber began airing a television ad in Minnesota and plans to run ads in other states as part of a broader campaign.
The bill was crafted by labor as a response to more aggressive opposition by companies to union-organizing activity. The AFL-CIO and individual unions such as the United Food and Commercial Workers have promised to make passage of the new labor law their No. 1 mission after the November election.
The November election could bring that extra support in Congress, as well as the White House if Sen. Obama is elected and Democrats extend their control in the Senate. Sen. Obama co-sponsored the legislation, which also is known as "card check," and has said several times he would sign it into law if elected president. Sen. John McCain, the likely Republican presidential nominee, opposes the Employee Free Choice Act and voted against it last year.
Wal-Mart's labor-relations meetings are led by human-resources managers who received training from Wal-Mart on the implications of the Employee Free Choice Act. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the worlds largest corporation, is mobilizing its store managers and department supervisors around the country t... more -
Paula Deen is trying to kill us.
Nothing says Southern Hospitality like "Butter, Mayo, Whiz Cheese Spread". As Paula says,"Cheese-whiz! That's good!"
No kitchen to cook your Bacon-Wrapped, Fried Mac and Cheese in? Wal-mart plans to carry a line of Paula Deen-inspired, scented candles. So you can fill your home with the smell of Dark Rum Cake, Coconut Pound Cake and Banana Cream Pie without raising your cholesterol. Nothing says Southern Hospitality like "Butter, Mayo, Whiz Cheese Spread". As Paula says,"Cheese-whiz! That's good... more -
ksl.com - Teen in coma after wrong dose of medication
A teenager from Draper is in a coma because he was given the wrong dose of a pain medication. Eighteen-year-old Jessie Scott was given what was supposed to be a safe teaspoon of the drug. Actually it was a potentially lethal dose.
Jessie Scott is now at the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center as his family and therapists do everything they can to stimulate his senses. He's been in a coma since April 30.
The high school graduate with a 4.0 grade point average is a far cry from where he was 75 days ago. At University Hospital, Wayne and Laurie Scott were told to gather their family.
"If you've got family, now's the time to call them up and let them pay their respects," Wayne Scott said. "So we made a bunch of calls, and the family responded."
Jessie's organs were failing. He was on a ventilator. One lung had collapsed. Physically and mentally, he was shutting down. All this happened within hours after he was given one teaspoon of prescribed oxycodone hydrochloride to help him sleep a bit and relieve pain from a strep throat. What happened?
The prescription was filled at the pharmacy. The label clearly indicates one teaspoon every four hours, and that's exactly what Laurie did: She gave Jessie one teaspoon in a cup.
But instead of five milligrams, attorney David Olsen says, "The dosage she gave was 20 times what was ordered. [It was] 100 milligrams instead of five. That's because it was undiluted."
What Laurie had in her hands was a liquid concentrate that, according to Olsen, was suppose to have been diluted at the Wal-Mart pharmacy where the prescription was filled. The Scotts still can't believe it happened. Wayne Scott said, "This is obviously a horrible mistake."
Laurie Scott said, "This shouldn't have happened. It was needless. It was senseless and it's changed lives forever, not just Jessie, but there are other people who love him and his future."
Laurie trusted what she gave her son, what had been filled, was correct.
"I always ask questions. I've always medicated him his whole life. I'm the caregiver and it makes it extremely difficult," she said.
After 16 days in ICU, Jessie moved to intermediate care for another four days, then to HealthSouth for intensive therapy.
Wal-Mart Corporation issued the following statement to KSL News: "This is a very sad situation. Our thoughts are with this young man and his family."
There are signs Jessie is responding. For example, the eyes! His family sees response in them.
How much damage is done? How much repair will the brain pull off? Doctors don't know. But this 18-year-old is strong, and so is his family.
Wayne Scott said, "His brain is still very plastic, still very elastic, and we're hoping and praying that it can find ways around those areas to connect back up. That's our hope."
There was a dramatic turn of events this weekend. For the first time, Jessie spoke, though the words are limited and intermittent. We will continue following his story in the weeks and months to come. A teenager from Draper is in a coma because he was given the wrong dose of a pain medication. Eighteen-year-old Jessie Scott was given... more -
Wal-Mart agrees to buy sustainable wood
"They've decided to sell sustainable shrimp and salmon, decided to sell only hormone-free milk, invested in organic cotton and told their vast supply networks to stop wasting so much energy and materials on unnecessary packaging and transportation.
Now, the folks over at Wal-Mart have pledged to use more wood from sustainable, certified forests, and to phase out wood from clear-cut and illegal forests. The world's largest retailer struck the deal with WWF, a major international conservation organization. Wal-Mart will spend one year assessing the sources of its wood products, and then it will eliminate any unsustainable sources from its supply chain.
The end result for consumers should be the assurance that any wood-based product you buy at Wal-Mart, from office paper to a new end table, should be derived from a forest that will live on after the logging." "They've decided to sell sustainable shrimp and salmon, decided to sell only hormone-free milk, invested in organic cotton a... more
-
related topics
Wal-Mart
Contributors (318)
Wal-Mart
