Just Posted November 19, 2013 Posted November 19, 2013 From the article, Is Walmart's request of associates to help provide Thanksgiving dinner for co-workers proof of low wages? Available here: http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2013/11/is_walmarts_request_of_associa.html#incart_river_default#incart_m-rpt-2 "Please Donate Food Items Here, so Associates in Need Can Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner," read signs affixed to the tablecloths. The food drive tables are tucked away in an employees-only area. They are another element in the backdrop of the public debate about salaries for cashiers, stock clerks and other low-wage positions at Walmart, as workers in Cincinnati and Dayton are scheduled to go on strike Monday. ... Reed [employee] said it was "ignorant" to question efforts to help people in need or blame Walmart for the economic realities of the labor force nationally. You can't find a decent job anywhere," she said. The last sentence in the quote mentions Erica Reed who is losing $500 a month in child support after her baby's father was sent to jail. She appreciates the food-drive, whereas another employee calls it "demoralizing", and "kind of depressing". I for one tend to avoid walmart, but appreciate the fact when I needed a car tire at 3am they were waiting with open arms. I've heard folk begging to impose long-lost-with-the-Reagan-era antitrust laws to balance bargaining power, and 'free' the market... frankly, no argument can win-over 'Murrica that claims higher prices are better. But, I am always intrigued at consumer vs small business welfare arguments, it's clear who has been winning the argument so far, and I have a good feeling things will continue that way for some time.
CrazyCanuck Posted November 19, 2013 Posted November 19, 2013 From the article, Is Walmart's request of associates to help provide Thanksgiving dinner for co-workers proof of low wages? Available here: http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2013/11/is_walmarts_request_of_associa.html#incart_river_default#incart_m-rpt-2 The last sentence in the quote mentions Erica Reed who is losing $500 a month in child support after her baby's father was sent to jail. She appreciates the food-drive, whereas another employee calls it "demoralizing", and "kind of depressing". I for one tend to avoid walmart, but appreciate the fact when I needed a car tire at 3am they were waiting with open arms. I've heard folk begging to impose long-lost-with-the-Reagan-era antitrust laws to balance bargaining power, and 'free' the market... frankly, no argument can win-over 'Murrica that claims higher prices are better. But, I am always intrigued at consumer vs small business welfare arguments, it's clear who has been winning the argument so far, and I have a good feeling things will continue that way for some time. From the article, Is Walmart's request of associates to help provide Thanksgiving dinner for co-workers proof of low wages? Available here: http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2013/11/is_walmarts_request_of_associa.html#incart_river_default#incart_m-rpt-2 The last sentence in the quote mentions Erica Reed who is losing $500 a month in child support after her baby's father was sent to jail. She appreciates the food-drive, whereas another employee calls it "demoralizing", and "kind of depressing". I for one tend to avoid walmart, but appreciate the fact when I needed a car tire at 3am they were waiting with open arms. I've heard folk begging to impose long-lost-with-the-Reagan-era antitrust laws to balance bargaining power, and 'free' the market... frankly, no argument can win-over 'Murrica that claims higher prices are better. But, I am always intrigued at consumer vs small business welfare arguments, it's clear who has been winning the argument so far, and I have a good feeling things will continue that way for some time. Why can't Walmart give their workers a bonus? They make more than enough in profit to give out bonuses if their employees truly needs money for thanksgiving dinner.
Just Posted November 19, 2013 Author Posted November 19, 2013 Why can't Walmart give their workers a bonus? They make more than enough in profit to give out bonuses if their employees truly needs money for thanksgiving dinner. Well, that's the argument most in the media have put forth. Problem is, when you have to ask a company to give bonuses... well it kind of turns into a Robin Hood case - which probably won't be defended too staunchly here. I respect the employees who, however little they make, still decided fellow employees could use it more than them - not waiting for their free butterball coupon from HQ
Eh Steve Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 People without marketable skills often are paid very little. It is hardly exclusive to Walmart. Trying to feed children (especially multiple) or pay for a house without sufficient income or projected income to do so is ill advised. Having children with men who may be sent to jail is also ill advised. I'm glad they are able to help each other out in their time of need. I also found them keeping the request in the back of their office interesting. On the one hand it is a private matter. On the other they could get a mountain of food by putting the barrel up front. I guess it is better to leave that for the larger charities. I don't think Dayton will miss Walmart too much while they strike. Meijer and Kroger will probably welcome the increased business. I am from Dayton originally and find it kind of funny when people talk about Walmart having a monopoly. That particular town has numerous superstores and grocery stores to choose from, in fact the Walmart near my college was pretty shoddy and non-busy compared to the alternatives. You might as well call McDonalds a monopoly. Everyone likes to pick on the biggest of the bunch. I'm not sure if there was any time in history where non-skilled labor could be expected to support a family comfortably.
Just Posted November 20, 2013 Author Posted November 20, 2013 I'm not sure if there was any time in history where non-skilled labor could be expected to support a family comfortably. My grandpa worked for the railroads for 40 years with no experience but WWII. He's living pretty comfortable off that pension now. Let's see, you also have prostitution, oil mining, logging, cab driver, and lets not forget the original Ford assembly line. None require/d experience. Point is, 4/5 of these jobs are still around, they've always and still offer a living wage... if you're in the right area of course. I thought it was pretty interesting too to keep the food drive out of public eyes, which tells us... there's a rat on the inside. Someone entirely flabbergasted by the fact that stocking shelves doesn't give them leverage over the execs. whodathunkit! I'm glad someone else appreciated folks lending a hand to one another, especially since this article was probably not intended to invoke that response! hah! One more point for us
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