jkapp
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Post by jkapp on Mar 9, 2011 16:34:24 GMT -5
"And what's stopping you or them from building their own store to compete...and you can pay your employees as much wage and benefits as you please." In my case and I would guess those living paycheck to paycheck money for start up costs. Government offers low interest loans for small businesses - and some cities/towns do the same to promote local business. Of course, it's a loan and needs to be paid back...which, of course, is taboo to many low income individuals. It's either free money or nothing for them
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deziloooooo
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Post by deziloooooo on Mar 9, 2011 16:34:30 GMT -5
I'm currently consulting for an American company that has Walmart as their largest customer as well. This is a billion dollar consumer products company and everything they manufacture is made here in the USA. I have often found Made in the USA merchandise at Walmart, sometimes next to a Made in China equivalent, and the prices are rarely very far apart, if at all... Thank you for that information and will look next time there. Last item purchased by me as a non food item was a package of handkerchiefs, $5.00, selection was what I purchased and nothing else. If US made same , say at $6.50, I would have purchased..$7.00, probably not.
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Opti
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Post by Opti on Mar 9, 2011 16:36:08 GMT -5
SF, I've worked way too much retail in between IT layoffs. My better paying gigs were at Mom and Pops. Promotion in the big box retailers I've been in didn't appear to be happening at the time for anyone and looked like supervisor suckups had a much better shot than good workers if and when those opportunities would open.
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deziloooooo
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Post by deziloooooo on Mar 9, 2011 16:36:23 GMT -5
It is well known that retail operations cap hours below 40 hours to prevent workers from accessing full time benefits. Many are even rather open about it. This is not exclusive to retail. DS works as a transporter for a local hospital and routinely works 40+ hours every week. He was officially hired as PRN (pro re nata meaning "when necessary") not full time so he gets no benefits. Many companies are doing that now, Sears, no more then 30 hours a week, thus no benefits.... Under 'Obama care " possible there will be coverage.
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Post by Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ on Mar 9, 2011 16:39:43 GMT -5
SF, I've worked way too much retail in between IT layoffs. My better paying gigs were at Mom and Pops. Promotion in the big box retailers I've been in didn't appear to be happening at the time for anyone and looked like supervisor suckups had a much better shot than good workers if and when those opportunities would open.
I worked several part time and nearly full time retail gigs. Mom & pops are very closely held business', and usually employ many relatives who are in charge. When the economy is in a down turn, not only are promotions not happening but layoffs are being done. In a "normal" economic climate, advancement and opportunities will available at bigger retailers.
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Post by frankq on Mar 9, 2011 16:40:03 GMT -5
50% of Wal-Mart employees are on some kind of public aid. Most employees are scheduled for 34 hours a week, just under the full-time requirement that would afford them some benefits and protections. So much for paying a reasonable wage.
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Mar 9, 2011 16:40:24 GMT -5
Since then, the fire doors have remained open, however employees are repeatedly told they can't use them unless there's a fire. They're told they can be fired if they do. Some of these employees are disabled (including those who are mentally challenged) and are truly afraid of losing their jobs. It's understandable, to me, they'd not know what to do in a case of emergency that wasn't a fire. Ummm, yeah...that fire door may very well be attached to an alarm system. So if someone were to use that door it would set off an alarm/silent alarm and then the parking lot would be full of fire trucks and police cars. There's a reason it is labeled "Fire Door" - to be used in case of fire or emergency...not because someone doesn't want to walk the extra hundred feet to the main doors. I'm well aware of that, as everyone else is probably aware of it. That's why it was wrong to lock the employees in the building and why WalMart was fined heavily for doing so.
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Opti
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Post by Opti on Mar 9, 2011 16:42:36 GMT -5
"And what's stopping you or them from building their own store to compete...and you can pay your employees as much wage and benefits as you please." In my case and I would guess those living paycheck to paycheck money for start up costs. Government offers low interest loans for small businesses - and some cities/towns do the same to promote local business. Of course, it's a loan and needs to be paid back...which, of course, is taboo to many low income individuals. It's either free money or nothing for them Maybe you are different than me, but would you be willing to take out a loan to start a business that if it failed you would have absolutely no way to pay back? Also, I think most programs they will only loan you a portion of your costs and possibly after you've been in business a year or more. A friend of mine who was a former Project Manager in IT, gave up trying to find a job and wanted to start a food business. Discovered the loans he wanted to apply for he couldn't until he was open for at least a year or more so he was trying and failing to raise investor capital from individuals to start his business. He had no personal money to start it and shortly thereafter moved out of state to live with his wife's relatives as they couldn't afford to stay in NJ.
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Post by Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ on Mar 9, 2011 16:45:43 GMT -5
50% of Wal-Mart employees are on some kind of public aid. Most employees are scheduled for 34 hours a week, just under the full-time requirement that would afford them some benefits and protections. So much for paying a reasonable wage.
We covered that angle. Most low wage workers get some sort of govt aid. Has nothing to do with Walmart. Wages are determined by the market, not need.
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EVT1
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Post by EVT1 on Mar 9, 2011 17:11:23 GMT -5
And what's stopping you or them from building their own store to compete...and you can pay your employees as much wage and benefits as you please. Already options out there- try Costco- they treat their employees well. Walmart stinks-they use monopsony power to shaft suppliers, shaft the taxpayers to subsidize their workforce, and in a sick way are creating their own customers- soon to come- store scrip in lieu of paychecks.
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Mar 9, 2011 17:40:48 GMT -5
And what's stopping you or them from building their own store to compete...and you can pay your employees as much wage and benefits as you please. Oh, and forget that whole "bottom line" stuff - as it is meaningless to successful business, right? Every business can work like government and spend without consideration of debt. I think it is ridiculous to say these people should just start their own business. However, I think asking what is stopping these people from getting a better job is a very reasonable question. These people are working low-end retail with part-time hours & no benefits for a reason - because that is the best they can do or they are too lazy to do better. Why should walmart pay more money or offer them additional benefits when they don't need to do so to get workers. The labor force works on supply & demand - there is a high supply of people that can stock shelves or work a register, so you can't expect much in the way of pay or benefits for these type of jobs.
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fairlycrazy23
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Post by fairlycrazy23 on Mar 9, 2011 17:45:18 GMT -5
I think it is ridiculous to say these people should just start their own business. However, I think asking what is stopping these people from getting a better job is a very reasonable question. These people are working low-end retail with part-time hours & no benefits for a reason - because that is the best they can do or they are too lazy to do better. Why should walmart pay more money or offer them additional benefits when they don't need to do so to get workers. The labor force works on supply & demand - there is a high supply of people that can stock shelves or work a register, so you can't expect much in the way of pay or benefits for these type of jobs. This is true, I think a better question would be is it unfair to have laws that force Walmart to limit employee hours to avoid expenses. These employees are unskilled and walmart like most retails stores has a very low profit margin. Also where is the link showing walmart was fined for locking employees in, I wanted to look into the details.
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Value Buy
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Post by Value Buy on Mar 9, 2011 19:58:42 GMT -5
Ummm, yeah...that fire door may very well be attached to an alarm system. So if someone were to use that door it would set off an alarm/silent alarm and then the parking lot would be full of fire trucks and police cars. There's a reason it is labeled "Fire Door" - to be used in case of fire or emergency...not because someone doesn't want to walk the extra hundred feet to the main doors. I'm well aware of that, as everyone else is probably aware of it. That's why it was wrong to lock the employees in the building and why WalMart was fined heavily for doing so. Mhmm, are you now claiming any Wal Mart that is not a 24 hour operation, does not lock their front doors?
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Value Buy
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Post by Value Buy on Mar 9, 2011 20:01:56 GMT -5
Now, now swamp...if you had said customers, I might have agreed with you. Customers too. And I skew the averages because I have a full set of teeth. Swamp, you just described the members of the Tea Party, according to many, here at P&M. I am shocked you would associate yorself with these people.
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deziloooooo
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Post by deziloooooo on Mar 9, 2011 22:13:03 GMT -5
I think it is ridiculous to say these people should just start their own business. However, I think asking what is stopping these people from getting a better job is a very reasonable question. These people are working low-end retail with part-time hours & no benefits for a reason - because that is the best they can do or they are too lazy to do better. Why should walmart pay more money or offer them additional benefits when they don't need to do so to get workers. The labor force works on supply & demand - there is a high supply of people that can stock shelves or work a register, so you can't expect much in the way of pay or benefits for these type of jobs. This is true, I think a better question would be is it unfair to have laws that force Walmart to limit employee hours to avoid expenses. These employees are unskilled and walmart like most retails stores has a very low profit margin. Also where is the link showing walmart was fined for locking employees in, I wanted to look into the details. Difn't find that , but actually a whole slew of links on Walmart fines , this was just on top grabbed it.. "Judgements on Wal-Mart CCPA Monitor/CALM A judge fined Wal-Mart $27 million because the company provided false and incomplete evidence in a lawsuit. Upholding a $3.5 million verdict awarded to two women sexually harassed by a Wal-Mart manager, the judge said the manger’s conduct was “outrageous, and apparently Wal-Mart was aware of this since his conduct was witnessed by high-level supervisors.” U.S. federal judges have fined Wal-Mart $180,000 for destroying evidence, withholding documents and other procedural violations. A federal judge ruled that Wal-Mart violated labour laws by failing to pay pharmacists overtime, paving the way to a possible $225-million back-pay settlement. A jury found that Wal-Mart fired a white female employee in 1998 because she was dating a black man. A 14-year-old Wal-Mart worker was awarded $4.2 million after a jury decided store officials had wrongly accused her of stealing. Wal-Mart sold fake Tommy Hilfiger apparel after a judge ordered the company to stop. A jury found that Wal-Mart’s termination of a hearing-impaired employee violated the Disabilities Act and awarded the man nearly $180,000. In January 1999, a court entered a $30-million judgement against Wal-Mart for wrongfully firing four store clerks for eating candy and nuts from damaged packages. The workers were berated, reduced to tears, then marched through the store, past customers and co-workers and escorted out the front door. The jury found Wal-Mart guilty of slander, invasion of privacy and of intentionally inflicting emotional distress and awarded each worker $7.5 million. Evidence at the trial indicated that most other workers at this Wal-Mart store, including the managers, routinely consumed this kind of damaged snack.
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fairlycrazy23
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Post by fairlycrazy23 on Mar 9, 2011 22:28:16 GMT -5
No I don't want walmart to overrule fire saftey laws and rules, I just wanted to see the details of when they did it. If an employer is locking/chaining fire doors all it takes is one anonymous call to the fire marshal to correct.
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Value Buy
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Post by Value Buy on Mar 10, 2011 0:12:58 GMT -5
Just finishing visiting our local Super Walmart. It is open 24/7, so front doors are not a problem. Visited our Target. Night Manager refused comment to me, so I do not know if the doors are locked at closing. There were panic bars on the front doors, but I am not sure if they were "breakaway doors or not. Visited our two main grocery stores. Both had breakaway doors at the entrance, one admitted the front doors get locked, but since they breakaway at impact from the inside, the point is moot. The other store would not comment to me. All four locations had many fire exits, all plainly marked, and wide aisles with nothing blocking them, although both grocery stores, have their backrooms at the back of the store, where customers and employees would have to march thru the backroom, but not necessarily in a straight line. The paths were marked with signage as well as yellow lines on the floor, outlining the path of exit. I would assume all Wal Marts do the same thing. There is not a state in the country that does not have minimum standards for fire exits, and due to Wal Mart's strict adherence to company standards throughtout the company, their standards would pretty much have to pass the more stringent standards. I would suggest some of the posters here should probably check out all their shopping locations tomorrow, and please report any violations you see here. I imagine there will not be many Wal Marts on the bad boy list of the ledger. And be sure to check out some of your favorite little independent stores, and see if they are following the rules.
And as far as Wal Mart hiring handicapped workers, it almost seems like some of you are attacking them for taking advantage of them. They are not. It is a community service, and I would be very much surprised if many were working the overnight shifts in locked stores, but with thousands of locations, there probably are a few. They would be the exception, rather than a common occurrence. Just so you know, I am not a Wal Mart fan, because they do put many businesses out of business and hurt too many employed people making an almost working wage at the independent businesses.
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deziloooooo
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Post by deziloooooo on Mar 10, 2011 1:59:48 GMT -5
Just finishing visiting our local Super Walmart. It is open 24/7, so front doors are not a problem. Visited our Target. Night Manager refused comment to me, so I do not know if the doors are locked at closing. There were panic bars on the front doors, but I am not sure if they were "breakaway doors or not. Visited our two main grocery stores. Both had breakaway doors at the entrance, one admitted the front doors get locked, but since they breakaway at impact from the inside, the point is moot. The other store would not comment to me. All four locations had many fire exits, all plainly marked, and wide aisles with nothing blocking them, although both grocery stores, have their backrooms at the back of the store, where customers and employees would have to march thru the backroom, but not necessarily in a straight line. The paths were marked with signage as well as yellow lines on the floor, outlining the path of exit. I would assume all Wal Marts do the same thing. There is not a state in the country that does not have minimum standards for fire exits, and due to Wal Mart's strict adherence to company standards throughtout the company, their standards would pretty much have to pass the more stringent standards. I would suggest some of the posters here should probably check out all their shopping locations tomorrow, and please report any violations you see here. I imagine there will not be many Wal Marts on the bad boy list of the ledger. And be sure to check out some of your favorite little independent stores, and see if they are following the rules. And as far as Wal Mart hiring handicapped workers, it almost seems like some of you are attacking them for taking advantage of them. They are not. It is a community service, and I would be very much surprised if many were working the overnight shifts in locked stores, but with thousands of locations, there probably are a few. They would be the exception, rather than a common occurrence. Just so you know, I am not a Wal Mart fan, because they do put many businesses out of business and hurt too many employed people making an almost working wage at the independent businesses. To be honest , it's just another march of time. My father owned and operated a retail convenience store, whole family worked there, all items but RX, stationary , toys, cosmetics, patent medicines , greeting cards, you name it we probably carried it. Also gave green stamps, remember them? Then came the new "shopping centers, strip malls, with a anchor store or two. That hurt, newer stores but there still was fair trade so prices were protected. 'Then came the discount stores, major chains, New England, Bradlees, Caldors, Zayers...prices , fair trade off , less, say 20%, then Blue laws off, open Sundays. By this time American small independents were on the way out , though Drug stores, Bakeries independents , still strong. but furniture stores, clothing, sporting goods, hardware, even Jewelry, those types..the stores on main street , closing gone. Thjen the national drug chains got hugh, independent pharnmacies closed, went to work for the chains, well paid too. We, Dad, family got a good 25 years and when Dad got sick, time to close. Today, I ask you now, most here are younger, how many remember those times, I suggest few do. Unless you live in a affluent area, I doubt there are good independent main streets left and most of the big box stores, discount stores they are gone, too, all the ones I mentioned above, are out of business. Even the electronic stores, Circuit City out, think Best Buy would be doing great, there just was a report, doing poorly, and doesn't look like it will be turned around, Whats left, Walmart, K mart, Sears, some department stores, I was in a mall six months ago to buy a pair of walking sneaks. Internet shopping, getting bigger and bigger. I needed some letters to put on computer key board , mine were worn off, went to two stationary big box stores, computers too, didn't carry them. Came home, typed a few words, found what I wanted , on sale with shipping just under $7.00{shipping was $2.90, no tax either, will have in a day or two}Took 5 minutes and all kinds of e mail follow up, if I wanted to I could track the delivery. Great on line sevice. Times change, I remember the small Mom/Pop independents, my kids don't , bet most of you don't either but they did give employment for so many families, worked long hours, yes, six day weeks, but they made a nice living many did. Also worked for themselves which was a neat thing. Today Wal Mart , tomorrow... Actually something I just remembered, my Uncle Joe, after the war before he went into the Post Office..had a route, he would buy things from wholesalers, sheets, linens, clothing, underwear, you name it..resell to customers, deliver to home, had catalogues too so customers could choose items, , and collect so much, $, a week, there were no credit cards , these people possible lower income possible, lots did that, self employed.
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floridayankee
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Post by floridayankee on Mar 10, 2011 7:51:47 GMT -5
50% of Wal-Mart employees are on some kind of public aid. Most employees are scheduled for 34 hours a week, just under the full-time requirement that would afford them some benefits and protections. So much for paying a reasonable wage. Do you have a link for this info? I couldn't find national average but according th this article..... Wal-Mart employs 845 workers in Iowa who received health benefits from the state's Medicaid program last year, according to a report by the Iowa Department of Human Services. The report was obtained by the AP in a public records request.
Tyson Fresh Meats Inc., the worldwide meat supplier, Casey's General Stores and Hy-Vee Inc. also have hundreds of employees receiving state assistance to pay for their health care, according to the Jan. 25 report.
Still, the Iowa report adds to data in several states showing Wal-Mart has a high number of employees receiving Medicaid. With 17,000 workers, Wal-Mart is the state's second largest employer.
‘‘We can't verify the numbers on these programs, but as the nation's largest employer we will almost by default be the largest on many types of lists,'' said Wal-Mart spokesman Dan Fogleman.
Hy-Vee, the grocer that is the state's largest employer with 24,500 workers, had 361 employees who received Medicaid during the same period.
Tyson and Casey's had the next most employees on the list behind Wal-Mart, with 388 and 371, respectively. WM has 845 out of 17,000 workers utilizing the medicaid program. This works out to 4.9%....a far cry from 50%. It also mentions that other employers have employees on the medicaid program, so it's not just an "evil Wal-Mart" issue.
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floridayankee
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Post by floridayankee on Mar 10, 2011 7:55:40 GMT -5
Government offers low interest loans for small businesses - and some cities/towns do the same to promote local business. Of course, it's a loan and needs to be paid back...which, of course, is taboo to many low income individuals. It's either free money or nothing for them Maybe you are different than me, but would you be willing to take out a loan to start a business that if it failed you would have absolutely no way to pay back? Nope, we're not any different. We realize (and it sounds like you realize this as well) that starting and growing a business is difficult enough without other people demanding higher than market wages and there are not many willing to put their money where their mouth is and just do it.
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Post by bobbysgirl on Mar 10, 2011 10:09:55 GMT -5
Ultimately this is social issue more than a political issue. People need to stop shopping there and support smaller businesses if they don't like what Walmart is doing. Read more: CHITOWN: Let me throw a social wrench into the discussion. I live in a small LCOL area. WM came in and some family businesses survived, some didn't. The folks who owned the businesses were pretty high and mighty, acting superior to many of the folks in town. Residents here were happy to force them out of business, because of their superior attitudes. When they did, the superior folks were clueless. No one wanted to help them and they lost homes boats and everything else. The ones who stayed in business were the ones who were down to earth and accepted all the poor folk as contemporaries. Life just has a way of turning around and biting you in the buns. So there is another side to the story.
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Post by bobbysgirl on Mar 10, 2011 10:16:41 GMT -5
Is there any reason WM can't self insure their work force?
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Post by bobbysgirl on Mar 10, 2011 10:20:24 GMT -5
"Perhaps they are not exploiting loopholes, but providing flexible work schedules their employees are asking for." Would be nice if that's true, but its corporate bottom line policy and I've watched documentaries and read about manager's who felt bad about cutting worker's hours who needed the money but their hands were tied. All corporations have policies. They are normally forged to accommodate the company. If something benefits the employee, it is because the corporation benefits more. For whatever reason. I am getting the feeling that there may be an entitlement mentality forming here.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Mar 10, 2011 10:24:07 GMT -5
Is there any reason WM can't self insure their work force? It would probably extensively cut into their profits..........
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deziloooooo
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Post by deziloooooo on Mar 10, 2011 19:05:40 GMT -5
Is there any reason WM can't self insure their work force? Expenses that can be used for profits. They can hire with no problem it seems as far as workers by giving no benefits so there is no pressure to do so. In the few places unions might hav one representation, they are so big and pofitable, rather then have thst happen in the States, they will close the store, move somewhere else. I believe they closed out their European division, was it Germany, France, forgot which one, thought Germany. It was unionized there by law, but seemed Europeans were not that supportive of the company then so not profitable. Lost a lot but they are worth a lot.
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fairlycrazy23
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Post by fairlycrazy23 on Mar 11, 2011 11:45:03 GMT -5
As far as I know walmart is self insured and provides coverage for about half its workers. And I think it might be a bit below its rivals it is still within the ballpark
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