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Walmart; Closing Union Store in Canada?
Topic Started: Feb 14 2005, 12:02 AM (834 Views)
tomdrobin
Member
We are in desperate need of something new to discuss. Has anyone heard about this one. My wife has been telling me about a Walmart in Canada, that decided to close after the employees voted to be represented by a union.
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kajtek1
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Kris, CA
That reminds me Coco Cola rather closing its plants in other countries, than release the recipe to strange government.
Sometimes we have to stand to our principals.
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
Just as people have the right to unionize, corporations and companies have a right to close their stores to stop it.

Sometimes principles conflict.
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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brewster
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Winemaker Extraordinaire
I Understand and Support both the employee's right to unionize, and the company's right to shut up what they consider a non-viable shop.

But I think Wal-Mart will be hurt deeply in the long run. Certainly in Quebec, where the store was closed. Quebecers have long memories, and a fundamental distrust of English speaking people and corporations. It's hard to earn their trust, and very easy to lose it - I think Wal-Mart is finished in Quebec - I'd bet there will not be a Wal-Mart left in Quebec inside of 3 years.

But I also think it'll hurt Wal-Mart everywhere - several more stores in Canada are being faced with union issues, even more bitter now, and I see no way to stop it from spreading across North America...
Posted Image My Favourite Campsite
Bow Valley Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta
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Trailblazer
Member
If that store allowed overnighting, then it's a great loss. :(

But seriously, will this set a devastating precedent?
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BuddyIAm
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Member

No matter how any of the court cases turn out.

The public relations failures going on with WalMart are going to hurt..

I am Starting to wonder if they are going to KMart to film those happy worker faces for their commercials.. :)

KMart employees must be a little happy with their link up with Sears..

KMart/Sears. If they play up patriotism. Could destroy WalMart.

Most areas in California that have had a WalMart apply for new Superstore construction. Have said NO. Actually Hell No!.

Taxpayers are tired of supporting Corporate growth through welfare..

Do you know of anyone who would complain of a Sears opening in their neighborhood?

If WalMart closes enough stores and is continually denied new building permits.

It may find it self in steep decline..

I think Walmart has more to fear from Sears/Kmart. Than Unionization..

Sears fought the Union decades ago. It didn't seem to help it at all..

"The truth lies in a man's dreams... perhaps in this unhappy world of ours whose madness is better than a foolish sanity."
"Facts are stupid things." - Ronald Regan
"Ideas are more dangerous than guns. We don't let our people have guns. Why should we let them have ideas?" --Josef Stalin
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DanHouck
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Land of Enchantment NM
Even the Canadian government is confirming WalMart has the right to close this store. They are under no obligation to operate a store that loses money because the employees want them to.

Dan
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
Bruce, you've got a point there, their self-interest may be short-sighted of longer term unintended consequences.
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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brewster
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Winemaker Extraordinaire
Dan;

I don't think anyone can challenge Wal-Mart's right to close the store, no matter the reason.

But I would challenge you or anyone else to find 10 people in Canada who don't believe it was because of unionization...

And it will hurt their business, particularly in Quebec.
Posted Image My Favourite Campsite
Bow Valley Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta
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DanHouck
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Land of Enchantment NM
KMart and Sears has been described in financial circles as a marriage of the walking wounded. You might also want to do a little research on the KMart bankrupcy which is now seen as a gigantic rip off of the previous common stock holders.

California has a history of cutting off its own nose to spite its face. But it is their choice and not one that is shared by the rest of the country by and large.

Dan
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BuddyIAm
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Member



Dan Says:

seen as a gigantic rip off of the previous common stock holders

Buddy says:


We certainly don’t want to worry about those past stock holder’s health care.. Why would I worry about the fact that they lost money. And can not pay for their health care.

What I worry about is the current price of Kmart stock.. And when I should sell.. :)




Buddy's new Mega Dodge Fund.. :)
"The truth lies in a man's dreams... perhaps in this unhappy world of ours whose madness is better than a foolish sanity."
"Facts are stupid things." - Ronald Regan
"Ideas are more dangerous than guns. We don't let our people have guns. Why should we let them have ideas?" --Josef Stalin
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DanHouck
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Land of Enchantment NM
Brewster, from what I can determine, WalMart concluded the union's demands would require them to hire 30 more people, an increase of 15%. Also, it appears the store was at best very marginal. If that is the case, adding 30 people to the payroll with the kind of costs and taxes you have up there would definitely make the store uneconomic.

You can conclude WalMart is closing the store because it was unionized or you can conclude that, once again, a union got too greedy. In any case, 200 people are out of a job, that's the bottom line.

Buddylam, SELL that KMart stock now. :)

Dan
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brewster
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Winemaker Extraordinaire
Posted Image
Posted Image My Favourite Campsite
Bow Valley Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta
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brewster
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Winemaker Extraordinaire
Posted Image
Posted Image My Favourite Campsite
Bow Valley Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta
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DanHouck
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Land of Enchantment NM
Well I guess sticking up cartoons beats having to really discuss an issue. :)

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