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Walmart; Closing Union Store in Canada?
Topic Started: Feb 14 2005, 12:02 AM (838 Views)
bikemanb
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Liberal Conservative
Some of my customers are suppliers to Wally World, they don't paint a pretty picture of what is like to negotiate with Wally.

While Wally may be good for us consumers, for the suppliers and their employees Wally is not necessarily a good thing.

Too many mega-corporations tend to skew the free markets such that free enterprise is not so free. Not only are these mega-corporations not interested in open markets they are after handouts from Uncle. The American Enterprise Institute is working behind the scenes to encourage national health care because their largest members see themselves at a competitive disadvantage because of the healthcare coverage provided in the EU and Japan.

So be careful what you call free enterprise, because it isn’t….kinda.
Bill, Rita and Chloe the Terror Cat

For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions, even on important subjects, which I once thought right but found to be otherwise.

Benjamin Franklin
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sylley2000
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Sylvia, Grand Bend ON
And along those lines … this company has become so powerful that there is question whether they make Sweetheart deals regarding Labour Violations.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ed31_...s/rel21405.html

See second last paragraphs of this link,

"In fact, Wal-Mart has a long history of labor violations, from failing to pay workers for overtime hours, discriminating against women employees, violating child labor laws, and locking workers into stores at night. Last year, Miller’s staff prepared a report that detailed Wal-Mart’s egregious labor practices, and the costs to taxpayers who pick up medical, educational and other costs associated with the company’s well-known low wage policy."

Sylvia
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abradf2519
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sylley2000
Feb 14 2005, 09:09 PM
And along those lines … this company has become so powerful that there is question whether they make Sweetheart deals regarding Labour Violations.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ed31_...s/rel21405.html

See second last paragraphs of this link,

"In fact, Wal-Mart has a long history of labor violations, from failing to pay workers for overtime hours, discriminating against women employees, violating child labor laws, and locking workers into stores at night. Last year, Miller’s staff prepared a report that detailed Wal-Mart’s egregious labor practices, and the costs to taxpayers who pick up medical, educational and other costs associated with the company’s well-known low wage policy."

Sylvia

Walmart employs a lot of people. With lots of people you have lots of problems and lots of issues.

People have to understand, a Union can only work if their demands are reasonable. Typically people think the company makes a lot more money than it really does. I think you all would be suprised at what they actually make in profit at those stores. They do have the lowest prices!

The problem is that working in Walmart is not rocket science, and they can always find people to do the work. They don't have to be nice, since workers are easy to find. With such a low profit margin, they can't afford to mess around with problem employees.

Someone migh say that "those Walton people sure have a lot of money..." The reality is they own part of a very large corperation, with billions of dollars in assets. If the Waltons sold their shares, they would loose control of the corperation, so they really aren't as rich as they look.
Alan
Milan, New York, USA
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tomdrobin
Member
I think the reason they are probably closing rather than accept the unionization of their work force is, they don't want to set a precedent that will spread throughout Canada, and perhaps to the US.

In this area we have a plethora of stores like Walmart, and the competition is fierce. A union at Walmart here would probably make them unable to compete with Target, Meijer etc.

I've never cared much for Sears, but occasionally stop in the local store. In the past, you pretty much got ignored while shopping there, and had to hunt down someone if you needed assistance. The last time I was in there, it was like many other stores these days, where they greet you, and ask if they can help you right away. Perhaps they put them all on commission. Whatever, it's an improvement.
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jrf
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Quote:
 
....and locking workers into stores at night....


That's a giveaway.

Ain't no way. Could they do that to you?

Gee, they have closeout sales on gunpowder at the end of blackpowder season. If I wanted out, I could get out.
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BuddyIAm
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Was WalMart banned from selling weapons and AMMO. Only in California..
"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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BuddyIAm
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To answer my own question..

Posted 4/4/2003 10:17 PM Updated 4/6/2003 3:27 PM



Wal-Mart agrees to stop gun sales in California

SACRAMENTO (AP) — Wal-Mart agreed Friday to immediately suspend sales of rifles and shotguns in its 118 California stores, following nearly 500 violations of state firearms laws in six stores.
In two cases, a store sold guns to felons, according to Attorney General Bill Lockyer, who announced the agreement with the retail giant.

Wal-Mart's action comes after the chain announced in July that it had implemented a rule requiring customers to undergo a background check before buying rifles and shotguns — no matter how long the check takes.

In California, store employees released guns to customers before background checks were completed, Lockyer said, and failed to verify the identities of buyers through thumbprints and driver's licenses.

Other violations included failing to document sale of a firearms safety device with the gun.

Wal-Mart spokesman Tom Williams said Friday the company will begin new employee training in state firearms law early next week.

"We need to do a better job and that's what we're going to do," he said.

Williams said store employees involved in the offenses will not be terminated.

He added it's the first time Wal-Mart, which sells rifles and shotguns — but not handguns — has suspended firearms sales in a state for such violations.

State and federal laws prohibit selling guns to felons or people convicted of domestic violence offenses. Sales are also banned to subjects of restraining orders and people with mental conditions that make them a dangerous to themselves and others.

The policy announced in July, which exceeds federal guidelines, came after Wal-Mart's own research showed that weapons it sold were being used in crimes.

Under federal law, background checks through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System are required for anyone attempting to purchase a gun. If the results are not returned within three business days, the dealer may complete the sale.


"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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BuddyIAm
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From above:

The policy announced in July, which exceeds federal guidelines, came after Wal-Mart's own research showed that weapons it sold were being used in crimes.

Buddy says:

I wonder if this resulted in any frivolous law suits.. :)
"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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jrf
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I don't ever remember seeing handguns for sale in the Walmart stores here locally, but they could still be ordered.

Several years ago, I think they stopped the ordering part too, but I'm not sure of it. They do keep a book behind the counter with discount prices for some firearms that they do not stock. I remember seeing handguns in it several years ago.

Rifles and shotguns, blackpowder arms, and ammo are still on the shelves here.
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
Some don't like it that Walmarts put a lot of mom and pops out of business. But it's a free market.
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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sylley2000
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Sylvia, Grand Bend ON
Communities are more than the 'stores' or the business that are contained in them. It's true that people are dependent on making money to obtain the necessities of life. They are also composed of Churches, schools, and community facilities that support the population.

If a business such as Walmart does not reflect the values of the community, they will have great difficulty fitting in.

Walmart isn't get that message. Their focus is just making money by paying their workers the least amount possible. The 'market' in their present location will reject them if they don't become more reflective of what that society is about. The ripple effect may spread beyond that province?

Sylvia
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DanHouck
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Land of Enchantment NM
Yep, if WalMart puts someone out of business it is because the customers like what WalMart is offering better than the other guy.

Mom and pops usually didn't employ many, if anyone beyond a few family members. I keep hearing all this bunkum about "oppressed" WalMart workers--amazing that people line up for these jobs working for such nasty capitalist pigs. LOL!

If the typical Canadian feels about WalMart the way the ones do around here, I can't imagine why they would bother doing business there. I suspect you WalMart bashers are in the minority up there as well. But have your fun. :)

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sylley2000
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Sylvia, Grand Bend ON
Please describe a 'typical' Canadian. That may be illuminating? :floorrollin:

Sylvia
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DanHouck
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Land of Enchantment NM
They shop at WalMart and like it. Just like the typical American! :)
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sylley2000
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Sylvia, Grand Bend ON
Some do, some don't, just like typical Americans. Some like it, some don't.

Sylvia
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