Wal-Mart Employees Speak Out About Mandatory Anti-Union Meetings, Political Intimidation

[RedEarth]

Today, the Wall Street Journal reported that Wal-Mart has been warning its managers that a Democratic victory in the fall would lead to unionization at Wal-Mart stores. “In recent weeks, thousands of Wal-Mart store managers and department heads have been summoned to mandatory meetings” discussing the downsides of unionization and not-so-subtly telling employees not to vote for a Democrat.

Wal-Mart Watch notes that the article “would not have been possible without the several brave Wal-Mart employees” who spoke out against the company’s policies, including the employee below who e-mailed Wal-Mart Watch:




http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/01/wal-mart-intimidation/

[fascisthunter]

1. Walmart=AntiAmerican Right Wing Trash

another corporation run by fascists closely linked to the GOP

[billyoc]

2. Oh, but I'M the union thug.

Well, in my case it's true. :hi:

[bluestateguy]

3. Obama should be ready to go to war with Wal-Mart if he is president

Government still has a lot more power than even the largest corporation, IF government chooses to use it.

An Obama Justice Department can strangle Wal-Mart with years of investigations and lawsuits. The Labor Department and OSHA can shackle Wal-Mart with constant investigations, inspections and public relations embarrassments. The INS can perform persistent raids to stop the hiring of illegal immigrants, AND see to it that the people who are punished are the Wal-Mart managers and executives. The IRS can audit, audit, audit not only Wal-Mart, but the Walton family's personal taxes as well.

[ret5hd]

4. What say our resident Wal-Mart warriors???

What defense can you supply us for this? Please, tell me. I'm waiting on the edge of my seat!

[bluestateguy]

5. Wal-Mart warriors on DU?

I think you'll be waiting a long time.

[ret5hd]

6. Oh, you'll find plenty of 'em if you search around.

Practically every thread about walmart brings 'em out, but i bet they'll lay low on this thread.

[bushmeister0]

7. We got the same speech about unions at Borders before they "moved the cheese"

and went to the dark side.

I'm sure the fatcats at Wal-Mart aren't the only ones concerned about the Employee Free Choice Act.

[Disturbed]

8. Can this be a basis for a Law Suit against War-Mart?

:shrug:

[demosincebirth]

9. Seems like Wal Mart is getting a little edgy

[MyshkinCommaPrince]

10. Not surprised....

When I worked at Target 18 years ago, we had to attend an anti-union meeting. They made us watch a video starring Penn and Teller. I consider Target less objectionable than Wam-Lart, and took it for granted that such meetings were probably common in such businesses. Bummer. I hope this can go somewhere. Unions would be a boon.

[norepubsin08]

11. If Obama gets in office

he oughta nationalize wal mart and make every one of those stores employee owned...it would serve the wal mart board of directors right!!

[Occulus]

12. I'm thinking maybe current union members employed elsewhere should

start working at MalWart (sic) just to deliver the truth in these meetings, pass out the telephone numbers of their current locals, and then quit on the spot.

I don't need a second job at the moment (knock on wood), but I'm actually seriously considering doing this just to give MalWart managers a serious headache.

At the least, it would raise awareness.

[jules1962]

13. Gonna backfire on them

Just take it from me, this is backfiring on the fatcats. Associates are talking and they don't appreciate that the corp is treating them like sheep. This is gonna be fun.

[Skittles]

14. I hope so, jules

welcome to DU :hi: