Is "America's
Store" living up to America's values? That was the question
asked by hundreds of community supporters who rallied outside
Wal-Mart stores in Renton and Spanaway on November 21 as part
of a National Day of Action, spearheaded by the United Food and
Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union. Wal-Mart customers, many of whom are union members, joined with other concerned members of their communities to deliver a message that they want to spend their dollars at a store that recognizes the value of being a good corporate neighbor rather than at Wal-Mart.
In more than 100 demonstrations in 40 cities, groups called on the nation's largest employer, Wal Mart, to stop interfering with the workers' desire to win a voice at work and provide affordable health care, decent wages and pensions.
A new coalition-called People's Campaign, Justice@Wal-Mart-has been established for grassroots action around a six-point agenda that reflects core American values of fair business practices, respect for workers and consumers, neighborhood friendly operations and good jobs that can support families.For more information, visit: www.walmartdayofaction.com.
Some Startling Facts On WalMart
* Largest U.S. Retailer with 3300 U.S. stores $218 billion in sales (2002);
* Largest Jewelry sales - $2.3 billion annually;
* Largest grocer - $80 billion last year for 10 percent of the market, some $15 billion more than second place Kroger's;
* Largest U.S. Employer with 962,000 workers;
* Wal-Mart is the richest corporation in the world, yet the vast majority of its employees are not covered by health insurance provided by the company. Because Wal-Mart won't pay the cost of insurance and their employees are too poor to afford insurance. Therefore, the cost of covering the uninsured Wal-Mart employees through programs like Medicaid and Basic Health Plan falls back on Washington's tax payers and decent companies doing business in Washington.
Do your part: Don't shop at Wal-Mart until they become a responsible employer.