NationStates Jolt Archive

The Great State of Pennsylvania has found in favor of a group of Wal Mart employees and will award them at least 62 million dollars. It seems Wal Mart forced them to work unpaid hours.

"One of Wal-Mart's undisclosed secrets for its profitability is its creation and implementation of a system that encourages off-the-clock work for its hourly employees ..." Hummel said in her suit, which was filed in 2002.

Other states have also found Wal Mart guilty of such practices. Hopefully Americans will see Wal Mart for what it is and start boycotting the unethical, criminal enterprise out of Arkansas.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/24-10132006-726160.html

And making it's suppliers so stressed that they get ulcers.

British readers should remember that Wal-mart owns the British supermarket Asda. So shop at Tesco instead.

In capitalist Britain, supermarket pays you for baked beans. (http://www.s-t.com/daily/06-96/06-26-96/c03li136.htm)

Yes, yes...Walmart's evil. Hasn't this tripe gotten old yet? :rolleyes:

Yes, yes...Walmart's evil. Hasn't this tripe gotten old yet? :rolleyes:

Not until Wal Mart becomes a responsible American company or goes out of business. Either one will satisfy me.

You just figured out NOW that Wal Mart uses third world slave labour? I've known that for about six years.

Not until Wal Mart becomes a responsible American company or goes out of business. Either one will satisfy me.

They employ more than any other company is the US (which is probably many people's problem with them, since big company automatically = teh EVIL!!!1one :rolleyes: ). They also provide low-cost products to consumers. Those awful bastards.

Remarkably, I'm with Drunk Commies Deleted on this. Sic semper Tyrannis.

You just figured out NOW that Wal Mart uses third world slave labour? I've known that for about six years.

I'm talking about first-world workers (people who really matter) treated like slaves.

They employ more than any other company is the US (which is probably many people's problem with them, since big company automatically = teh EVIL!!!1one :rolleyes: ). They also provide low-cost products to consumers. Those awful bastards.

so when a company gets to a certain size its ok for them to break the law?

so when a company gets to a certain size its ok for them to break the law?

Never said that, but some people like to bitch about Walmart in general, whether there's a particular case like this one or not.

They employ more than any other company is the US (which is probably many people's problem with them, since big company automatically = teh EVIL!!!1one :rolleyes: ). They also provide low-cost products to consumers. Those awful bastards.

Big company doesn't = teh EVIL

Big company that destroys competition and essentially becomes a monopoly, censors music, movies and books by refusing to sell them after it's driven all of it's competitors out of town, treats it's workers like crap, and supports brutal regimes like the Chi-Coms by helping them sell the products of their unsafe, high-pollution, low wage factories = teh EVIL

Remarkably, I'm with Drunk Commies Deleted on this. Sic semper Tyrannis.

But Lincoln's already dead.

Big company that destroys competition and essentially becomes a monopoly, censors music, movies and books by refusing to sell them after it's driven all of it's competitors out of town, treats it's workers like crap, and supports brutal regimes like the Chi-Coms by helping them sell the products of their unsafe, high-pollution, low wage factories = teh EVIL

Don't blame them, blame the people who buy their products. If there's no market for what they sell, they'll go out of business; it's the people who shop there who give tacit approval to Wal-Mart's business practices. All Wal-Mart is doing is giving people what they want.

Even so, if you break the law you deserve to be punished accordingly. No question about that.

thank god for super-target we dont shop at wal-mart any more ever since theyt built a super target where i live:)

thank god for super-target we dont shop at wal-mart any more ever since theyt built a super target where i live:)

I just can't drive by a Target store without getting an urge to shoot at their sign.

I just can't drive by a Target store without getting an urge to shoot at their sign.


well its better than an evil grinning face that rips people off and is controlled by satan and george bush

But Lincoln's already dead.

Well, Booth was an idiot, but it's still a good saying.;)

well its better than an evil grinning face that rips people off and is controlled by satan and george bush

Bob Novak?

http://img313.imageshack.us/img313/811/themoderatevoicenovakbobmb3.jpg

Don't blame them, blame the people who buy their products. If there's no market for what they sell, they'll go out of business; it's the people who shop there who give tacit approval to Wal-Mart's business practices. All Wal-Mart is doing is giving people what they want.

Even so, if you break the law you deserve to be punished accordingly. No question about that.
no,blame the people who vote for it,because tomorrow...

Arbeits will mach frei (work will make you free)
but i agree with you Kapitalism is opportunism,you just have to controle /create it(opportunism)....
That is call,scuicide
And the roman empire knew about slave economy.
They knew slaves would buy the bread they themself made.

*go back as spectator*


Pimpo the Clown

You just figured out NOW that Wal Mart uses third world slave labour? I've known that for about six years.

Fantastic, so tell us what you've done about it.

so when a company gets to a certain size its ok for them to break the law?

It's always OK for companies to break the law. The medical practice my MIL used to work for did the exact same thing, and they couldn't have had more than 20 employees. Basically, they forced people to work over 40 hours a week and paid them for only 40 (and these were hourly employees.) Also, when they moved one of the offices, some people had to take their entire weekends to help move, and they didn't get so much as lunch out of the deal, let alone their hourly pay. And they were told that they would be fired for not helping to move. Needless to say, there's nothing that can be done about it, since the worst that would happen is being forced to pay a fine, and insurance covers that.

Excellent news! This makes me very happy. Now we just need a few more such blows against this evil giant and some maneuvering to get some better giants and non-giants in place and maybe someday we can kill Walmartzilla forever.

To give perspective to those who don't get it:

Walmart destroys competition through unfair business practices; exploits all its workers, not just the swarthy ones; breaks the law in its finances and employment practices; and sells shit for list price. That's right, kids, those "discounts" are a myth. Walmart's Walcrap costs them pennies to stock, so those rollbacks to $4.00 are still giving them a greater than 100% retail mark-up. Comparison shop with places like Target, if you don't believe me. The prices are the same. Then factor in the cost of getting to and from the giant Walbox in the middle of nowhere, and before you know it, it costs more to pay Walmart's "low" prices than to order over the internet from stores with higher numbers on the price tags. And for all its ripping off of the public, what does Walmart do for society? Create jobs? Yeah, jobs that don't pay. Wow, that's a help.

Compare that with Target, which sells all the same shit for the same prices, plus more attractive shit by name brand designers on exclusive contract, and which has been recognized as one of the biggest corporate donors to social development charities and programs on the local levels in places where their stores are located. The origin of Target was an independent department store opened by some guy back in the 1960s. That entrepreneur decided to donate 5% of his company's profits to local charities every year. That store no longer exists, and its descendant Target is one of the biggest retail corporations in the world, but it STILL donates 5% of annual profits to regional and local charities. Today this translates to millions of dollars every year. They support major poverty and hunger relief efforts as well as small programs to improve schools, build parks and public playgrounds, and similar community development projects. They actually go looking for projects to support. They don't just wait for people to come begging. Who has Walmart helped lately? The government of China? It's own employees?

IKEA is another of the world's largest retail giants. They realize millions of dollars in profits every year on a business model that actively pursues fair trade and fair labor practices and environmentally sound production systems. They use their buying power to support groups working to organize labor, to eliminate predatory "middle-man" systems in third world markets, and to stamp out child labor around the world, and such efforts are having measurable effects. Child labor is under such attack in India that the Indian government just announced a plan to stamp it out altogether in that country, which signals a major shift occuring over there. Meanwhile, Walmart depends on producers who use child labor and near slave labor, and I challenge Walmart to beat IKEA's balance of price to quality for housewares.

Such examples show that Walmart's way is not the only way and certainly not the best way. Shoppers can have better and should expect better. Walmart does not deserve either American shoppers or American workers.

The newest episode of Family Guy should give people some idea of what to do about Wal-Mart. Those who have seen it, do what Peter, Brian, and Stewie did. Those who haven't...well, just make sure your boss's name isn't Mr. Penisburg.

I'm talking about first-world workers (people who really matter) treated like slaves.

*drags a huge trout out of the freezer in preparation for a serious smacking...*

*drags a huge trout out of the freezer in preparation for a serious smacking...*

Come on now, if I didn't say something insensitive, cruel, or just downright evil people would think there was something wrong with me.

Don't blame them, blame the people who buy their products. That is a ridiculous position to take. It's like saying...don't punish the guy who beats up his wife in the street...punish the people who watched and did nothing about it. The witnesses are culpable, yes...but the main offender should not be let off scott-free simply because other people were complicit in the crime.

Come on now, if I didn't say something insensitive, cruel, or just downright evil people would think there was something wrong with me.

Actually, the trout is for the n00bs who are going to jump down your throat (as usual) because they don't know you well enough yet to realise you just like to stir shit up :)

*drags a huge trout out of the freezer in preparation for a serious smacking...*
well if he does look in the freezer,he just could smack the ice out of you,you may need a hearth massage,thought i guess you don't need it

well if he does look in the freezer,he just could smack the ice out of you,you may need a hearth massage,thought i guess you don't need it

Uh....huh. And what outrageous conclusion did YOU jump to, just now?

Actually, the trout is for the n00bs who are going to jump down your throat (as usual) because they don't know you well enough yet to realise you just like to stir shit up :)

Funny how none of them have commented on it yet. Maybe they agree with my statement.:eek:

*drags a huge trout out of the freezer in preparation for a serious smacking...*

he is right to a degree, most people don't give shit about what happens in the third world. they donate a small amount to a charity organisation to make them feel good, but they go on buying goods that are only as cheap as they are because some third world workers were exploited.

Uh....huh. And what outrageous conclusion did YOU jump to, just now?

you don't need to be smack,
cool down

Guys, everybody knows that the only way to truly destroy Wal-Mart is to go into the store, find the heart, and break it. Watch out for the ever changing forms of Wal-Wart however. ;)

Big company doesn't = teh EVIL

Big company that destroys competition and essentially becomes a monopoly, censors music, movies and books by refusing to sell them after it's driven all of it's competitors out of town, treats it's workers like crap, and supports brutal regimes like the Chi-Coms by helping them sell the products of their unsafe, high-pollution, low wage factories = teh EVIL

I thought this topic was about Wal Mart, not Microsoft.

you don't need to be smack,
cool downYou mistake my mood.

You have to put blame on where blame is needed. If your an anti-Wal-Mart kind of person then I would blame a whole lot of people.

1) The workers for putting up with not being paid for hours worked. Look if your going to be stupid enough to work without being paid. Who's problem is that?

2) The people that shop there and have given Wal-Mart the ability to get so big.

3) The suppliers for putting up with some real bullcrap demands that they put on them. They demand everyday deliveries from many of the direct suppliers. They demand nearly day long service from some of the companies such as the soda, chip and beer merchandising. They demand certain prices for the suppliers products. Yes they do dictate what the suppliers prices will be to Wal-Mart. If you do not like it then you do not sell in Wal-Mart.

4) The cities that allow Wal-Mart to build. Now many cities in the area I live actually have a ban on Wal-Mart in effect. What Wal-Mart does is just build on the edges of the Cities in question though.

There is more to blame I am sure. But on the other hand for the ones that are either in the middle or support Wal-Mart. This has got to be the lowest cost places to shop. Let alone a American corporate success story.

1) The workers for putting up with not being paid for hours worked. Look if your going to be stupid enough to work without being paid. Who's problem is that?


i don't think most walmart employees have a lot of other options. and why don't they have a union to handle that kind of problems?

You mistake my mood.

my mistake

The Great State of Pennsylvania has found in favor of a group of Wal Mart employees and will award them at least 62 million dollars. It seems Wal Mart forced them to work unpaid hours.



Other states have also found Wal Mart guilty of such practices. Hopefully Americans will see Wal Mart for what it is and start boycotting the unethical, criminal enterprise out of Arkansas.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/24-10132006-726160.html

Good. Those assholes get what the deserve any time something bad happens to them. My mom used to work there. She was once told to get an extremely heavy crate on top of a shelf off for a customer, then, on the way down, she fell. She hit her head and had to go to the emergency room.

You know what those Wal-Mart Bastards did? THEY FINED HER. They told her she didn't use proper procedure for going down a ladder. Not only that, but she also lives at the poverty level. Its a shame.

And people wonder why I'm a Communist....

i don't think most walmart employees have a lot of other options. and why don't they have a union to handle that kind of problems?
Oh, maybe it is because WalMart actively and agreessively blocks unionization of its stores? It like to threaten to close altogether and leave its worker's jobless rather than allow unions in.

But hooray for Quebec, which has TWO unionized WalMarts...

Speaking from experience, large companies like Walley World arent the only one's doing this(and of course I'm not justifying it so hush). I've worked in the restaurant industry and they all but *ask* for you to work off the clock. Even the city school system I worked for expected you to do x amount of work in x number of hours. If the job wasnt complete, oh well, they expected you to stay. Unsaid of course because that would be illegal.There is no such thing as overtime in the school system (here). I'm not speaking of salaried positions either.

As far as comparing Walmart and Target, I'm sorry but they do not always sell the same stuff at the same price. I know-I frequent them both. Bounty paper towels 8 rolls- walmart=$6.37 Target $7.49, Tide laundry detergent- walmart $6.97 Target $8, Pampers walmart $19.97, Target= $21.49. Even my prescriptions are 8-10 bucks cheaper for the exact same drug. Just a few examples. Does Target have sales that result in same price or even lower that Walmart? Sure, but for everyday shopping, Walmart has the better price in my experience. When you have an average grocery bill of $300 per week and shopping at Walmart vs Target, Kroger,Albertsons, etc, means saving anywhere from $50-$80 per week, then your decision is pretty easy to make. Thats quite a savings per month/year.

This is my opinion and prices in other areas may differ. I'm only speaking from my personal experience here in the small town of Rome. No matter what company, if they are breaking the law, they should be punished and held accountable.

Oh, maybe it is because WalMart actively and agreessively blocks unionization of its stores? It like to threaten to close altogether and leave its worker's jobless rather than allow unions in.


isn't that illegal?

i don't think most walmart employees have a lot of other options. and why don't they have a union to handle that kind of problems?

I do not buy that in this nation. There are a ton of jobs out there for what Wal-Mart pays them. They get minimum wage or damn near close to it without retirement or healthcare. Your telling me that you could not find another job that fits those requirements?

As far as the anti-union policy that Wal-Mart employs. There are a ton of laws out there pertaining to unionization. Someone needs to enforce them.

i don't think most walmart employees have a lot of other options. and why don't they have a union to handle that kind of problems?
organising is a solution, believing in the sasquach is not,organising the Sasquach is not...(organizing a solution)

No matter what company, if they are breaking the law, they should be punished and held accountable.

The problem with that is you need someone willing to actually go to court over labour standards (or lack thereof) AND be able to foot the bill of going up against a huge, billion-dollar corporation...knowing in the meantime that you can pretty much kiss your job goodbye, and any gains you might make will benefit others, but not yourself.

isn't that illegal?
There are plenty of ways to block unionisation that are legal or at least quasi-legal...including making dire threats about having to close down permanently if the workers unionise (due to increased labour costs and loss of profitibility).

One of the best ways to block unions is to provide standards equal to, or exceeding union standards...perhaps we could suggest this to WalMart? Ha!

I thought this topic was about Wal Mart, not Microsoft.

Except Microsoft doesn't do any of that stuff. Your joke fails on all levels.

The problem with that is you need someone willing to actually go to court over labour standards (or lack thereof) AND be able to foot the bill of going up against a huge, billion-dollar corporation...knowing in the meantime that you can pretty much kiss your job goodbye, and any gains you might make will benefit others, but not yourself.
right,you spotted it,
With this,we are entranch to accept labor,as freedom

i am always suprised that walmart has any defenders at all. it is just so obviously a criminal enterprise on every level imaginable.

Except Microsoft doesn't do any of that stuff. Your joke fails on all levels.

Just chuckle half-heartedly and keep the heat on WalMart, m'kay?? :D

i am always suprised that walmart has any defenders at all. it is just so obviously a criminal enterprise on every level imaginable.

It's the neo-liberalist slant...bad business practices are unfortunate, but eventually, as the market becomes more free, self-interest will encourage better treatment.

Ooooh...I just got an idea for another thread....

It's the neo-liberalist slant...bad business practices are unfortunate, but eventually, as the market becomes more free, self-interest will encourage better treatment.

Ooooh...I just got an idea for another thread....
eventualy ....
we are ruling you
title
Social darwinisms accept idiots,they know it.

It's the neo-liberalist slant...bad business practices are unfortunate, but eventually, as the market becomes more free, self-interest will encourage better treatment.

Ooooh...I just got an idea for another thread....

That's the kind of blind, naive Pollyanna view on corporations and the upper class in general that drives theories like Trickle-Down Economics. You're expecting compassion from conservatives.

It's the neo-liberalist slant...bad business practices are unfortunate, but eventually, as the market becomes more free, self-interest will encourage better treatment.


We tried that, back in the late 19th century and earlier 20th century. What you said will happen did not happen. In fact, the exact opposite happened.

We tried that, back in the late 19th century and earlier 20th century. What you said will happen did not happen. In fact, the exact opposite happened.

I don't think she's endorsing that belief. I think she's pointing out the beliefs of the free market cultists.

That's the kind of blind, naive Pollyanna view on corporations and the upper class in general that drives theories like Trickle-Down Economics. You're expecting compassion from conservatives.

No, the theory is not about compassion, it's about greed and self-interest being the underlying motive...and reshaping greed and self-interest as ultimately good, because they will lead to an increase in labour standards once such standards become profitable.

The main example always paraded out to support this view is working conditions in Japan...from sweat-shop labour and poverty to a booming economy and improved working conditions, all based on the free market.

We tried that, back in the late 19th century and earlier 20th century. What you said will happen did not happen. In fact, the exact opposite happened.Exactly. Heavy government interference was needed to improve working conditions, spurred on by the birth of unions. What worked for us in the West is being denied to the rest of the world, based on belief in a theory that has never actually panned out on a wide scale the way it was predicted it would.

Do as we say, not as we did...

No, the theory is not about compassion, it's about greed and self-interest being the underlying motive...and reshaping greed and self-interest as ultimately good, because they will lead to an increase in labour standards once such standards become profitable.

The main example always paraded out to support this view is working conditions in Japan...from sweat-shop labour and poverty to a booming economy and improved working conditions, all based on the free market.
There is no way in reshaping it,at least not expendable.
it is and willl say (liberal or not) base on one though....
"I can do better."
yes you can.
but not alone

Oh, maybe it is because WalMart actively and agreessively blocks unionization of its stores? It like to threaten to close altogether and leave its worker's jobless rather than allow unions in.

But hooray for Quebec, which has TWO unionized WalMarts...
Which goes to prove that it's worth the effort to fight them. They buckle under in other countries.

Yes, yes...Walmart's evil. Hasn't this tripe gotten old yet? :rolleyes:

What's your point? That as things remain true for longer periods of time truth becomes less relevant?

Is that why conservatives are so quick to trounce on our civil rights? They're not fashionable anymore "That's soooo 1776."

It really seems that when conservatives can't even pretend that their arguments have merit they just trot out the "well it's old news (http://www.workingforchange.com/comic.cfm?itemid=19914)," line.

Do you go to hospices and tell the patients there to "just get over it already?" Your logic is very similar.