In case you hadn't heard, the Canadian Wal-Mart store that I previously reported as being on the verge of unionizing actually did, only to be told Wal-Mart is going to shut the store down. Wal-Mart claims its because the store is not profitable although its not clear if this was before or after hiring the extra 30 or more employees the union thinks is necessary.
Either way Wal-Mart's action has not been good for its already tarnished image and prompted them to run full page ads in several Canadian papers claiming that employees are the cornerstone of the company. If that is so why is it then that many States are finding they are footing a very heavy bill to provide healthcare for Wal-Mart's employees? Wal-Mart does provide medical benefits but only pays for 52% of the premium - something that isn't going to fly for you average mother with a family working at their stores making close to minimum wage.
In the meantime Wal-Mart just squared away $19 billion in profit last year (including the $10 billion they ploughed back into building new stores). Even with 1,500,000 employees worldwide they could easily fork over several thousand each to pay for the best healthcare plan possible and have billions and billions left in the bank. Indeed $19 billion represents a profit of over $12,000 per employee - heck they could even give all their employees a raise and an extra week of vacation per year...
If you'd like some more information on the antics of the worlds biggest, baddest retailer click on the bumper sticker below.
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