Wal-Mart - is it really THAT evil?

[Ymir]

I was idly flicking through the TV channels and found a doco on Wal-Mart and was stuuned at either:

A. the one-sided nature of the material presented.

or

B. the awful operations of the chain from the way it treats the employees, to anti-unionism, to the vicitimisation of overseas workers, to lax external security, to poor environmental practices etc.

We don't have the chain in Oz (I think) but it got me to thinking that perhaps the large chains that we have might engage in similar operations.

So, is it A or B?

Cheers

[BlueCross]

WalMart sucks.

[AcdQueen89]

mix of both. duno the proportions

[Doug]

Walmart gets more crap than it deserves, I think.

First off, while its wages for the out of country factories and what not may seem low, it's generally substantially higher in pay than other jobs available in the same market

secondly, I'm anti-union, so I can't really bust on them for being anti-union. Unions are generally just a way for employees to demand more money than they deserve for the jobs they do, and are every bit as corrupt as the corporations themselves.

That being said, I still don't shop there, and I still wouldn't work there because they are douchebags to work for, from everything I've read.

I'm tired and rambly today and not really on my game, argument wise, but man, I hates me the unions

[Night Owl]

I'm tired and rambly today and not really on my game, argument wise, but man, I hates me the unions

I agree with you about the unions. I think they served their purpose, but they have outlived their usefulness.

I don't shop at walmart because scumbags shop there.

[Brugdor]

I agree with you about the unions.

Unions suck for the workers in a lot of ways too. Of course they don't tend to realize that but I suppose that's why people who are in them tend to be those who are highly unmotivated to begin with.

/ex Norfolk Southern employee
//most oppressive work environment I've ever experienced

[Ymir]

I'm not a big fan of unions - ours is a Teachers' Union. However, when a teacher is cranky with me as a principal, the teacher threatens me with the union. This is the same union that I belong to.

Then, when the union is arguing with our employer, it asks me to implement industrial action, whilst our employer asks me not to implement it.

Crap.

Cheers

[Hoopy Frood]

Pretty much what AcdQueen said and Doug expanded on.

It's a mix of both. They're a very bottom-line oriented company, but there are many companies like that. However, most don't have the noticeability that Wal-Mart does. Wal-Mart gets the press because they are the largest elephant in the room. Sam's Wholesale, which is Wal-Mart's discount club store/bulk seller is run pretty much the same way. However, Costco, Sam's Wholesale's biggest competitor in the bulk sale club store market, is run differently (better wages and benefits is one of the main things) and enjoys a similar level of success.

[Tank]

I prefer Costco. Their employees simply have a better attitude and make the shopping experience better.

And yes, I'm serious. Especially places like the US, I enjoy stores that treat their employees well. better treatment/wages = people care about their jobs, so they do them with more enthusiasm, ending up in everyone having a better day. That, and I hate the way WallMart is run through the loudspeaker-system ~.~

[AcdQueen89]

right now i'm reminded of this for some reason. it's something a teacher of mine was talking about last year (and she's usually pretty good on random facts). but she was watching something about charity and who gives the most. the Gates obviously do alot, but the WalMart people apparently give next to nothing. as in a dollar out of every million they have or something like that (i dont remember the exact numbers she said).

anyone know how true this is?

[The SysMan]

WELCOME TO WALMART!!!

[/greeter]

[AcdQueen89]

linky

link my friend just sent me about a pair of flipflops bought at walmart.
dont have food with you.

[Tank]

linky

link my friend just sent me about a pair of flipflops bought at walmart.
dont have food with you.

Yuck. Ick. Ugh.

[Na_Day]

linky
link my friend just sent me about a pair of flipflops bought at walmart.
dont have food with you.

Just wait, it'll get better.  Part of the reason things like this have been silenced is due to business concerns, obviously, but between the internet and a rash of recent industrial sabotages in China, they won't be able to hide all their problems much longer.  Too many people are looking into Chinese goods, and other internationally produced goods, to let this die.

Also, two side points:  One, about the industrial sabatoge comment, yes I'm not only sure it's happening but you would laugh if I told you who was behind it.  There's a fight for Asiatic Superpower rights brewing, and it's gonna be won with the checkbook over guns.

Second, with the unions, I can only say one thing as for unions: A union is what happens if management goes bad. It's something no one wants, but it sometimes comes to.

[Tink]

I'm tired and rambly today and not really on my game, argument wise, but man, I hates me the unions

I agree with you about the unions. I think they served their purpose, but they have outlived their usefulness.

I don't shop at walmart because scumbags shop there.

Do you mean ppl like this?
A very loud, unattractive, mean woman walked intoWal-Mart with her two kids yelling obscenities at themall the way through the entrance. The Wal-Mart Greetersays "Good morning, and welcome to Wal-Mart. Nicechildren you have there. Are they twins?"The ugly woman stopped yelling long enough to say,"Hell no,  they ain't twins. The oldest one's 9 andthe other one's 6. Why the hell would you think theyare twins? Are you blind, or just stupid?""I'm neither blind nor stupid", replied the Greeter."I just couldn't believe you got laid twice."

I hate to go to WalMart, b/c finding a parking space sucks, and finding an employee that can actually help, is hard. It's still not as bad as K-Mart.