Wal-Mart workers prepare to strike
The company faces uncomfortable questions about how it treats employees ahead of the important holiday season.
By Jonathan Berr Nov 21, 2012 12:32PM
The planned strike this week by workers at Wal-Mart (WMT) couldn't come at a worse time for the world's largest retailer.
It is under pressure from Wall Street to improve its lackluster sales ahead of the important holiday season. Wal-Mart, the country's largest private-sector employer, has battled efforts by unions to organize its workforce for years, and has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board to stop the labor action aided by the United Food and Commercial Workers International. Media reports say that a decision by the NLRB isn't expected before Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday. Union-backed OUR Walmart, has fired back at the company, accusing it of "illegally attempting to deter workers from participating in strikes against the world's largest retailer on Friday," according to Reuters.
But even if it wins the latest battle, the Bentonville, Ark., company may lose the war over the long term as tries to protect its brand.
The company brags about its low prices. But many shoppers probably don't think much about how Wal-Mart makes this slogan a reality, which may start happening given the publicity the strike is getting. The average Wal-Mart associate earns about $8.81 an hour, or a yearly wage of about $15,500, meaning that hundreds of thousands of the company's workers live below the poverty line, according to unions.
Our Walmart is seeking wages of $13 per hour, and is calling on the company to make full-time jobs available for employees who want them. The company disputes these characterizations and says on its website that it offers "competitive wages, good benefits and the chance to grow and build a career."
States worried about the growing costs of Medicaid have pressued Wal-Mart for years to improve worker benefits. In response, the company offered some benefits to those working less than 24 hours per week, only to reverse course last year and decree that new part-time employees would no longer get benefits and that people working 24 hours to 33 hours a week can no longer include their spouses in their coverage, though children are allowed.
Data from unions indicates that Wal-Mart employees are the largest recipients of government assistance among those that are employed in a huge number of states. That means that taxpayers are on the hook for these benefits to the tune of more than $1 billion.
Though it's unlikely the strike will put a dent in Wal-Mart's profits, some customers may start to wonder whether the company's low prices are worth the costs born by its employees.
--Jonathan Berr does not own shares of the listed stocks. Story is updated to provide details on the possible timing of a strike. Follow him on Twitter @jdberr.
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It is under pressure from Wall Street to improve its lackluster sales ahead of the important holiday season. Wal-Mart, the country's largest private-sector employer, has battled efforts by unions to organize its workforce for years, and has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board to stop the labor action aided by the United Food and Commercial Workers International. Media reports say that a decision by the NLRB isn't expected before Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday. Union-backed OUR Walmart, has fired back at the company, accusing it of "illegally attempting to deter workers from participating in strikes against the world's largest retailer on Friday," according to Reuters.
But even if it wins the latest battle, the Bentonville, Ark., company may lose the war over the long term as tries to protect its brand.
The company brags about its low prices. But many shoppers probably don't think much about how Wal-Mart makes this slogan a reality, which may start happening given the publicity the strike is getting. The average Wal-Mart associate earns about $8.81 an hour, or a yearly wage of about $15,500, meaning that hundreds of thousands of the company's workers live below the poverty line, according to unions.
Our Walmart is seeking wages of $13 per hour, and is calling on the company to make full-time jobs available for employees who want them. The company disputes these characterizations and says on its website that it offers "competitive wages, good benefits and the chance to grow and build a career."
States worried about the growing costs of Medicaid have pressued Wal-Mart for years to improve worker benefits. In response, the company offered some benefits to those working less than 24 hours per week, only to reverse course last year and decree that new part-time employees would no longer get benefits and that people working 24 hours to 33 hours a week can no longer include their spouses in their coverage, though children are allowed.
Data from unions indicates that Wal-Mart employees are the largest recipients of government assistance among those that are employed in a huge number of states. That means that taxpayers are on the hook for these benefits to the tune of more than $1 billion.
Though it's unlikely the strike will put a dent in Wal-Mart's profits, some customers may start to wonder whether the company's low prices are worth the costs born by its employees.
--Jonathan Berr does not own shares of the listed stocks. Story is updated to provide details on the possible timing of a strike. Follow him on Twitter @jdberr.
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644Comments
Nov 21, 2012 1:45PM
walmart is breaking the law by avoiding giving proper hours to avoid overtime pay. Where is the holiday pay? where is enough to live on. Walmart is a slave ship where people are treated like toliet paper, intimidated, and harassed. Listen to how hostile management is towards workers. This is the largest employer , second largest in the world and they are the main employer in many towns, so its not about quitting and finding something else, that may not be an option. Walmart is abusing american workers and it will change. Concerned citizens, Occupy, and communities are supporting this action as well. It has board growing support and is not just coming from the union, but also from consumers! Treat americans fairly or don't operate in america!
Nov 21, 2012 1:41PM
If they don't like it let them get a education and a skill set so they can get a different job. If I had a job that required me to work on Thanksgiving or Christmas I would do it. At least they have a job. There are a lot of people out there that don't and are willing to work. This country is becoming one of entitlement. Remember people years ago people worked 6 days a week 10 hours a day and where happy to have a job.
Nov 21, 2012 1:41PM
For you anti-union workers:
I am opposed to all unions. Therefore I am opposed to all benefits unions have won through the years; paid vacations, sick leave, paid holidays, wage increases, pensions, and insurance plans, time and ½ for overtime, unemployment benefits and job security.
I refuse to accept any benefits that will be won by the Unions and hereby authorize and direct the company to withhold the amount of the union-won-benefits from my paycheck each week
Nov 21, 2012 1:40PM
Nov 21, 2012 1:38PM
Consider, the walmart employees that are working 35 to 40 hours a week making about $8/hour for roughly 52 weeks/year, gives an annual salary of $15,000 with limited to no benefits. Now, Walmart claims that it is offering things a low prices. But now factor in that we (the people who pay taxes) have to subsidize those in-need. We are really subsidizing Walmart, more specifically, since we are subsidizing the cost of living of the underpaid walmart workers, and the prime beneficiary of low wages are the upper management and shareholders of Walmart, we are in essence giving corporate welfare. So, following that logic, Walmart is yet another beneficiary of corporate welfare, albeit in a veiled form. And we the people are being charge a hidden tax by the lack of acceptable wages.
Nov 21, 2012 1:37PM
I do not always agree with Walmart's policies...but I don't agree with unions either! I mean they are a "for profit" company. With jobs so scarce..I am sure there are people out there that would just like to have a job !! As with Hostess...if they can't make money ...they close. Then where will the people on strike be? In the unemployment line with the Hostess workers...wishing they had their Walmart job back !
Nov 21, 2012 1:36PM
Nov 21, 2012 1:27PM
Capitalism works every time. Job doesnt pay enough? Quit. Walmart doesnt pay enough to get workers, wages go up.
Walmart should fire anyone that doesnt show up for work. Unions be damned. Same way with the upcoming airline strike. The airlines know its coming, so they need to get some workers in queue. Strike happens, can em.
I have real news for the union organizer in the white house and all the union officials that have migrated into power with Obama. WE the PEOPLE build the US. Unions didnt, entrepreneurs did. Government didnt, Citizens did.
I know of nothing in the constitution that says the government shall coerce private employers to accept employment mandates. I believe thats called Fascism. Eliminate Unions, Watch employment opportunities increase as jobs come back to the US. Price of goods and materials drop as efficiency increases. Do away with all govt unions and watch services improve and taxpayer cost drop.
Someone has to throw down the gauntlet, It might as well be the employers. Entrepreneurial spirit built the country, thats what it will take to staighten it out.
Nov 21, 2012 1:24PM
Our family has always tried to help make the Holidays good for everyone, including workers stranded behind counters and cash registers instead of home with family and/or friends. We DO NOT Patronize ANY business or entity on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter, or Labor Day (except Churches). If We-The-Customer stay away and boycott businesses on Holidays, the message will be much clearer than any Union or disgruntled employee's efforts. Just Stay Away!
Nov 21, 2012 1:19PM
Nov 21, 2012 1:18PM
Nov 21, 2012 1:03PM
Nov 21, 2012 1:00PM
Nov 21, 2012 12:59PM
It's about time. Could there be anything more anti-American than Wal-Mart and their insane business model? Wal-Mart forces themselves into communities. Local small businesses cannot compete and end up working for this pariah business for peanuts. History will show that Wal-Mart contributed more to the downward slide of America than any other entity. If the strike is not met with instant cooperation by direct management (not the retained Law Goons), then SHUT IT DOWN. If stalling continues-- DIVEST THEM. We can re-purpose their big boxes or dismantle them and use the materials to restore Main Street. What kind of demonic anti-American invests in a nation killer?
Nov 21, 2012 12:53PM
Nov 21, 2012 12:48PM
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