HarperLee

Walmart Warns [Employees] of Democratic Win

Wall Street Journal, August 1, 2008

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is mobilizing its store managers and department supervisors around the country to warn that if Democrats win power in November, they'll likely change federal law to make it easier for workers to unionize companies -- including Wal-Mart.

In recent weeks, thousands of Wal-Mart store managers and department heads have been summoned to mandatory meetings at which the retailer stresses the downside for workers if stores were to be unionized.

According to about a dozen Wal-Mart employees who attended such meetings in seven states, Wal-Mart executives claim that employees at unionized stores would have to pay hefty union dues while getting nothing in return, and may have to go on strike without compensation. Also, unionization could mean fewer jobs as labor costs rise.

Wal-Mart Warns of Democratic Win - WSJ.com

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poetrychic

Wal-Mart denies that it told employees how to vote - Yahoo! News

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, denied a report Friday that it had pressured employees to vote against Democrats in November because of worries that a bill the party supports would make it easier for workers to unionize.

The measure, called the Employee Free Choice Act, would allow labor organizations to unionize workplaces without secret ballot elections. It was co-sponsored by Barack Obama, the presumed Democratic presidential candidate, and opposed by John McCain, the presumed Republican nominee.

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Wal-Mart spokesman Dave Tovar told The Associated Press that the company did discuss the bill with its employees, including what it sees as the negative impact, and noted that the company's stand on the legislation is no secret.

"We believe the Employee Free Choice Act is a bad bill and we have been on the record as opposed to it," he said.

But he said the company wasn't advocating that its employees vote against backers of the legislation.

"If anyone representing Wal-Mart gave the impression... they are wrong and acting without approval," said Tovar. In fact, he said that Wal-Mart has been working with both Republicans and Democrats

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there's a bit more at the link, but basically they are denying they told people how to vote in november, rather just a strong push towards their desired direction...

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ibex

Saw this today on the front page of the WSJ in the office kitchen. I work with a lot of people who prolly think Whalemart has every right to pull such crap, denial or not.

Black_Knight

Corporate scum like Wal-Mart is the reason the Teamsters should be brought in the unionize them.

I was a teamster and the dues were a pain in the ass at first (You pay an extra 2 dollars for the first month you work), but when you see what they do for you in the long run, it's damn well worth it.