If you have followed any of my writings in the past, or know me personally then you already know my feelings on Walmart. However, just because I have a disdain for Walmart and how they treat their workers, doesn't mean I can expect others to. I mean not everyone follows these kind of issues. What I hope to do is explain why I have this disdain and how it not only affects you, but you should be angry as well. And I would hope after you read this article that you would show solidarity with the Walmart workers and shop elsewhere on Black Friday
First and foremost, whether or not you shop at Walmart you sustain their workforce. If you wonder how that can be, well according to Sumofus.org: Walmart, the worlds third largest employer, behind the US and Chinese Military requires 1.5 billion in taxpayers subsides to sustain their workforce. Because of the low wages that Walmart loves to pay, and part time hours to prevent employees from getting employer earned benefits the taxpayer pick up the tab.
Now if Walmart was a small business, or facing massive financial difficulties, I could understand the need for subsidies or the workers helping out by taking temporary cuts. I mean I am very Pro-Labor, I believe in workers rights and Unions. However, I am realistic on these issues and know the worker has to at times work to help the business remain profitable. Unfortunately, when companies like Walmart turn a 2012 Q3 profit of 3.63 Billion dollars, I am forced to ask why are taxpayers paying Walmart's workforce in order to maintain such profits. If Conservatives preach individual responsibility for people, why can't we have Corporations responsible for their workforce.
For years now the American people have helped the Walton Family have a net worth if 100 million other American. And why do these titans of retail of low cost Chinese goods require 1.5 billion dollars of taxpayer money to support their workforce? Well Walmart workers earn an average of $8.81 an hour.
If those numbers don't strike your fancy, how about the fact that Walmart chairman Rob Walton took in 420 million in dividends last year. That's while the American people are helping sustain the livelihood of his workers. There is something inherently wrong with a system that finds this to be acceptable.
The workers at Walmart are not asking for a handout, they are asking for a chance to stand up for themselves. Workers like Alex Rivera, who according to the Nation and Salon.com labor reporter http://www.thenation.com/blog/171281/walmart-ex-employee-was-handcuffed-front-workers#)">Josh Eidelson was fired for trying to organize his fellow workers, and then handcuffed in the store for talking to a few of them a couple months later about the Black Friday strike.
Walmart business model has been known for years. Drive down wages, drive out small business, flood the market with cheap Chinese goods and while they push the profits to the top, the taxpayers take care of the workforce. I understand how nice it is to save money at the register. But the savings you find at the register are just being payed by everyone on April 15th.
If you want to find out how to help these Workers stand up to Walmart go to:
https://action.sumofus.org/a/walmart-strike-support/?akid=1024.147547.B8zJ3H.&optimizely=true&rd=1&sub=fwd&t=2">Sumofus.org Action link and to donate too the Walmart Worker Strike fund
http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/walmart_strike/index_2012.html?id=50504-4436012-RJmBELx">Credo Action Petition
1
1
1
