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UpAgainstWalMart
Attheworld'slargestandmostprofitableretailer,lowwages,unpaidovertime,andunion
bustingareawayoflife.NowWalMartworkersarefightingback.
ByKarenOlsson(/authors/karenolsson) |March/April2003Issue(/toc/2003/03)
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JenniferMcLaughlinis22,hasababy,drives
atruck,wearswidelegjeansandspiky
plasticchokers,dyesherhairdarkred,and
worksatWalMart.ThestoreinParis,Texas
WalMartSupercenter#148isjust
downtheroadfromthemodestapartment
complexwhereMcLaughlinliveswithher
boyfriendandheroneyearoldsonfive
daysaweekshedrivestothestore,putson
Photo:BrentHumphreys
abluevestwith"HowMayIHelpYou?"
emblazonedacrosstheback,andclocksin.
SomedayssheworksintheGardenCenterandsomedaysinthetoydepartment.The
paceisfrenetic,evenbythenormallyfastpacedstandardsofretailingoften,it
seems,theresimplyaren'tenoughpeoplearoundtogetthejobdone.Onagivenshift
McLaughlinmightmanaregister,hoponamechanicallifttoretrievesomethingfrom
ahighshelf,catchfishfromatank,runovertoanotherdepartmenttohelplocatean
item,restocktheshelves,dustoffthebikeracks,orfieldquestionsaboutpottingsoil
andlawnmowers."It'sstressful,"shesays."Theypushyoutothelimit.Theyjust
wanttoseehowmuchtheycangetawaywithwithouthavingtohiresomeoneelse."
Thenthere'sthematterofherpay.Afterthreeyearswiththecompany,McLaughlin
earnsonly$16,800ayear."AndI'mconsideredhighpaid,"shesays."Thewaythey
payyou,youcannotmakeitbyyourselfwithouthavingasecondjoborsomeoneto
helpyou,unlessyou'vebeentherefor20yearsoryou'reamanager."Becausehealth
insuranceontheWalMartplanwoulddeductupto$85fromherbiweeklypaycheckof
$550,shegoeswithout,andreliesonMedicaidtocoverherson,Gage.
Complaintsaboutunderstaffingandlowpayarenotuncommonamongretailworkers
butWalMartisnomerepeddlerofsaucepansandboomboxes.Thecompanyisthe
world'slargestretailer,with$220billioninsales,andthenation'slargestprivate
employer,with3,372storesandmorethan1millionhourlyworkers.Itsannual
revenuesaccountfor2percentofAmerica'sentiredomesticproduct.Evenasthe
economyhasslowed,thecompanyhascontinuedtometastasize,withplanstoadd
800,000morejobsworldwideby2007.
Givenitsstaggeringsizeandrapidexpansion,WalMartincreasinglysetsthestandard
forwagesandbenefitsthroughouttheU.S.economy."Americanscan'tliveonaWal
Martpaycheck,"saysGregDenier,communicationsdirectorfortheUnitedFoodand
CommercialWorkersInternationalUnion(UFCW)."Yetit'sthedominantemployer,and
whattheypaywillbethefutureofworkingAmerica."Theaveragehourlyworkerat
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WalMartearnsbarely$18,000ayearatacompanythatpocketed$6.6billionin
profitslastyear.Fortypercentofemployeesoptnottoreceivecoverageunderthe
company'smedicalplan,whichcostsupto$2,844ayear,plusadeductible.As
JenniferMcLaughlinputsit,"They'reontopoftheFortune500,andIcan'tgethealth
insuranceformykid."
Angeredbythedisparitybetweenprofitsandwages,thousandsofformerandcurrent
employeeslikeMcLaughlinhavestartedtofightthecompanyonavarietyoffronts.
Workersin27statesaresuingWalMartforviolatingwageandhourlawsinthefirst
ofthecasestogototrial,anOregonjuryfoundthecompanyguiltyinDecemberof
systematicallyforcingemployeestoworkovertimewithoutpay.Theretaileralsofaces
asexdiscriminationlawsuitthataccusesitofwronglydenyingpromotionsandequal
payto700,000women.Andacrossthecountry,workershavelaunchedamassive
drivetoorganizeaunionatWalMart,demandingbetterwagesandworking
conditions.Employeesatmorethan100storesin25statesincludingSupercenter
#148inParisarecurrentlytryingtounionizethecompany,andinJulytheUFCW
launchedanorganizingblitzintheMidwest,hopingtomobilizenearly120,000workers
inMichigan,Kentucky,Ohio,andIndiana.
WalMarthasrespondedtotheuniondrivebytryingtostopworkersfromorganizing
sometimesinviolationoffederallaborlaw.In10separatecases,theNationalLabor
RelationsBoardhasruledthatWalMartrepeatedlybrokethelawbyinterrogating
workers,confiscatingunionliterature,andfiringunionsupporters.Atthefirstsignof
organizinginastore,WalMartdispatchesateamofunionbustersfromits
headquartersinBentonville,Arkansas,sometimessettingupsurveillancecamerasto
monitorworkers."Inmy35yearsinlaborrelations,I'veneverseenacompanythat
willgotothelengthsthatWalMartgoesto,toavoidaunion,"saysMartinLevitt,a
managementconsultantwhohelpedthecompanydevelopitsantiuniontacticsbefore
writingabookcalledConfessionsofaUnionBuster."Theyhavezerotolerance."
Theretaliationcanbeextreme.InFebruary2000,themeatcuttingdepartmentata
WalMartinJacksonville,Texas,votedtojointheUFCWtheonlyWalMartinthe
nationwhereworkerssuccessfullyorganizedaunion.Twoweeksafterthevote,the
companyannounceditwaseliminatingitsmeatcuttingdepartmentsinallofitsstores
nationwide.Italsofiredfourworkerswhovotedfortheunion."Theyheldameeting
andsaidtherewasnothingwecoulddo,"recallsDottyJones,aformermeatcutterin
Jacksonville."Nomatterwhichwaytheelectionwent,theywouldholditupincourt
untilwewereoldandgray."
Ifyou'veseenoneWalmart,you'veseentheParisstore,moreorless:agraycinder
blockwarehouseofabuilding,witharedstripeacrossthefront,flagsontheroof,
WALHMARTspelledinlargecapitalsinthecenter,andthecompanycredos("WeSell
forLess"and"EverydayLowPrices")totheleftandtheright.Inside,thecavernous
storeisbathedinadimfluorescentlightthatmakesthewhitewallsandlinoleumlook
dingy,andonaFridayshortlybeforeChristmas,themerchandiseiseverywhere:not
onlyinbinsandonshelves,butinboxeswaitingtobeunloaded,orjuststationedin
someoddcorner,likethepineguncabinets($169.87)linedupbytherestrooms.
Televisionmonitorsadvertisethermometersandcompactdiscs,Christmascarolsplay
overtheaudiosystem,andyetthere'sakindofsilencetotheplace,asuspensionof
ordinarylife,asshoppersintheirtrancesdriftthroughthestoreandfillcartswithtubs
ofpopcorn,amicrowave,achessset,dogbiscuits.HereProtestantthriftand
consumerwantsarereconciled,forthemomentanyway,incartsbrimmingwith
bargains.
WalMart'ssuccessstorywasscriptedbyitsfounder,SamWalton,whosegeniuswas
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notsomuchforinnovationasforpickingwhichofhiscompetitors'innovationstocopy
inhisownstores.In1945,WaltonboughtafranchisevarietystoreinNewport,
Arkansas.Themostsuccessfulretailers,henoticed,werechainslikeSearsandA&P,
whichdistributedgoodstostoresmostefficiently,loweredpricestogeneratealarger
volumeofsales,andintheprocessgeneratedalotofcashtofinancefurther
expansion.These,inturn,wouldserveasbasicprinciplesofWalton'sbusiness.Ashe
explainsinhisautobiography,SamWalton,MadeinAmerica,hedrovelongdistances
tobuyladies'pantiesatlowerprices,recognizingthatsellingmorepairsatfourfora
dollarwouldbringgreaterprofitsthansellingfewerpairsatthreeforadollar.The
womenofnortheasternArkansasweresoonawashinunderwear,andadiscounterwas
born.WaltonopenedhisfirstWalMartDiscountCityin1962andgraduallyexpanded
outfromhisArkansasbase.By1970WalMartowned32outletsby1980therewere
276by1990,1,528in29states.
Thecompanygrew,innosmallpart,bydintofitslegendaryfrugalityahabitthat
startedwithSamWaltonhimself,whodroveanoldpickuptruckandsharedhotel
roomsoncompanytripsandinsistedonkeepingtheheadquartersinArkansasasplain
aspossible.Payroll,ofcourse,tendstobearatherlargerexpensethanhotelrooms,
andWaltonkeptthataslowashecould,too.Hepaidhisfirstclerks50to60centsan
hoursubstantiallybelowminimumwageatthetimebytakingquestionable
advantageofasmallbusinessexemptiontotheFairLaborStandardsAct.In1970,
WaltonfendedoffanorganizingpushbytheRetailClerksUnionintwosmallMissouri
townsbyhiringaprofessionalunionbuster,JohnTate,tolectureworkersonthe
negativeaspectsofunions.OnTate'sadvice,healsotookstepstowinhisworkers
over,encouragingthemtoairconcernswithmanagersandimplementingaprofit
sharingprogram.
Afewyearslater,WalMarthiredaconsultingfirmnamedAlphaAssociatestodevelop
a"unionavoidanceprogram."MartinLevitt,theconsultantwhoworkedonthe
program,saysthatWalMartdoes"whateverittakestowearpeopledownanddestroy
theirspirit."Eachmanager,hesays,istaughttotakeunionorganizingpersonally:
"Anyonesupportingaunionisslappingthatsupervisorintheface."Thecompanyalso
encouragedemployeestobelieveinthegoodintentionsof"Mr.Sam,"whopeppered
hisautobiographywithtributestohis"associates":"Ifyouwanttotakecareofthe
customersyouhavetomakesureyou'retakingcareofthepeopleinthestores."
YetmanyWalMartworkersallegethatthecompanyWaltonleftbehindwhenhedied
in1992isanythingbutabenevolentcaretaker."We'reunderpaid,andI'mworried
aboutmyretirement,"saysanovernightstockerinMinnesotawhoaskednottobe
identified."IimagineI'llbeworkinguntilI'm90."Herdaughterworksasastocker,
too,butafternineyearsshedoesn'tmakeenoughtosupportherchildren."She'shad
togodowntothefoodbank,andI'vesentstuffoverforthem,"hermothersays.
"Theyjustcan'tdoit."Onthejob,sheadds,workersareforcedtoscrambletomake
upforunderstaffing."We'reshortwehaveaskimpycrewatnight.We'vegotpallets
stackedoverourheads,andwecan'tgetcaughtupwithallofit."
AquicklookaroundatthestoreinParismakesclearwhatanemployeeisupagainst:
thousandsofitems(90,000inatypicalWalMart)thatcustomersareconstantly
removingfromtheshelvesandnotputtingback,orputtingbackinthewrongplace,or
droppingonthefloorthestoreakindofAugeanstable,withacorpsofbluevested
Herculesestryingtokeepthingsclean.(WhenImentionthistoJenniferMcLaughlin,
shetellsmethat'swhynoonelikestoworkthe2a.m.to11a.m.shift,because"allit
is,isputtingstuffback.")Togetthejobdone,accordingtothedozensofemployee
lawsuitsfiledagainstthecompany,WalMartroutinelyforcesemployeestowork
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overtimewithoutpay.IntheOregonwageandhourcase,aformerpersonnel
managernamedCarolynThiebestestifiedthatsupervisors,pressuredbycompany
headquarterstokeeppayrolllow,regularlydeletedhoursfromtimerecordsand
reprimandedemployeeswhoclaimedovertime.In2000,WalMartsettledsimilar
lawsuitsinvolving67,000workersinNewMexicoandColorado,reportedlypaying
morethan$50million.
WalMartblamesunpaidovertimeonindividualdepartmentmanagers,insistingthat
suchpracticesviolatecompanypolicy."Werelyonourassociates,"saysspokesman
BillWertz."Itmakesnobusinesssensewhatsoevertomistreatthem."ButRussell
Lloyd,anattorneyrepresentingWalMartemployeesinTexas,saysthecompany"has
apatternthroughoutallstoresoftreatingtheirworkersthesameway."Corporate
headquarterscollectsreamsofdataoneverystoreandeveryemployee,hesays,and
usessalesfigurestocalculatehowmanyhoursoflaboritwantstoallottoeachstore.
Storemanagersarethenrequiredtoschedulefewerhoursthanthenumberallotted,
andtheirperformanceismonitoredindailyreportsbacktoBentonville.Tomeetthe
goals,supervisorspressureemployeestoworkextrahourswithoutpay.
"Iwasaskedtoworkofftheclock,sometimesbythestoremanager,sometimesby
theassistantmanager,"saysLibertyMoralesSerna,aformeremployeeinHouston.
"Theywouldknowyou'dclockedoutalready,andthey'dsay,Domeafavor.Idon't
haveanyonecomingincouldyoustayhere?'Itwouldbelikefourorfivehours.
Theywereunderstaffed,andtheyexpectedyoutoworkthesehours."
WhenJudyDanneman,awidowraisingthreechildren,wenttoworkasanhourly
departmentmanagerinWestPalmBeach,Florida,shequicklyrealizedthatshewould
havetoclimbthemanagementladderinordertosurvivebecause,assheputsit,
"mykidshadthisbadhabitofeating."Theonlywaytodothat,shesays,wastowork
offtheclock:"Workingunpaidovertimeequaledsavingyourjob."Whenshefinally
becameanassistantmanager,Dannemanknewshehadtoenforcethesamepolicy:"I
knewformydepartmentmanagerstogettheirworkdone,theyhadtoworkoffthe
clock.Itwasanunwrittenrule.Themajorityofthemweresinglemothersraising
children,orelsemarriedwomenwithchildren.Itwassad,anditwastotally
demandingandverydrainingandverystressful."
Infact,morethantwothirdsofallWalMartemployeesarewomenyetwomen
makeuplessthan10percentoftopstoremanagers.Backwhenshewasfirstladyof
Arkansas,HillaryClintonbecamethefirstwomanappointedtotheWalMartboard,
andtriedtogetthecompanytohiremorewomenmanagers,butthateffortapparently
wentthewayofnationalhealthinsurance.WalMarttodayhasthesamepercentageof
womeninmanagementthattheaveragecompanyhadin1975.
AttorneysrepresentingworkerscontendthatWalMartistootightlycontrolledfrom
headquartersinArkansastoclaimignoranceofwhat'shappeninginitsstores."In
Bentonvilletheycontroltheairconditioning,themusic,andthefreezertemperature
foreachstore,"saysBradSeligman,alawyerwiththeImpactFund,anonprofitlegal
organizationinBerkeley."Mostcompaniesdividestoresintoregions,andthenyou
haveahomeofficeofseniormanagement.AtWalMart,theregionalmanagersare
basedinBentonvillethey'reontheroadSundaytoWednesday,andthenback
meetingwithmanagementThursdaytoSaturday.They'retheoneswhomakethe
fundamentalemployeedecisionsandthehomeofficeknowsexactlywhattheyare
doing."
Thecompanyinsistsitadequatelytrainsandpromotesfemalemanagers.Butin2001,
aWalMartexecutiveconductedaninternalstudythatshowedthecompanypays
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femalestoremanagerslessthanmeninthesameposition."TheirfocusatWalMart
hasalwaysrelentlesslybeenonthebottomlineandoncostcutting,"saysSeligman.
"Virtuallyeveryotherconsiderationissecondaryorthirdorfourthorfifth."
ToprotectthebottomlineWalMartisasaggressiveatfightingoffunionsasitisat
cuttingcosts.Employeesapproachedbycoworkersaboutjoiningaunionare"scared
toeventalk,"saysRickyBraswell,a"greeter"atthestoreinParis."They'reafraid
they'lllosetheirjobs."
InParis,itwasJenniferMcLaughlin'sboyfriend,21yearoldEricJackson,whofirst
startedtalkingaboutaunion.Raisedbyamotherwhoworksinafactory,Jackson
alwaysassumedhewouldfindajobafterhighschoolratherthangoontocollege.But
thefewfactoryjobsinParisarehighlysoughtafter,soJacksonwoundupatWalMart,
whichemploys350peopleoutofalocalworkforceofonly22,000."Peopleain'tgotno
otherplacetogo,"hesays."There'snootherjobstobehad."
Jacksonstartedasaneveningcashierearning$5.75anhour,anditwasn'tlongbefore
hewasregularlyaskedtoperformthedutiesofacustomerservicemanager,
supervisingtheothercashiersandschedulingtheirbreaks.Heaskedforapromotion,
butthreemonthslaterhewasstilldoingtheextraworkfornoextrapay."Itookit
becauseIwantedmoremoney,butInevergottheraise,"Jacksonsays."Theyknew
theycoulddoittome."Hefoughtforthepromotionandeventuallywon,butbythen
hehadalreadycontactedalocalunionofficeaboutorganizingthestore.
"WhenEricfirstsuggestedit,Ilookedathimlikehewasoncrack,"saysMcLaughlin.
"Isaid,Youcan'ttakedownacompanylikeWalMartwithaunion.'"Nevertheless,
JacksonarrangedforaUFCWorganizertocometoParisandmeetwithasmallgroup
ofworkersoneJuneafternoonatthePizzaInn.Butthecompanysooncaughtwindof
theorganizingeffort.Asoneworkerleftanearlymeetingofunionsupporters,he
spottedaWalMartmanagerintheparkinglot.Fromthenon,workersseenaspro
unionwerewatchedcloselybymanagement.
"Bythetimewehadourfirstmeeting,theywereholdingtheirfirstantiunion
meeting,"saysMcLaughlin.Theresponsecamestraightfromthecompany'sunion
avoidanceplaybook:TroopsfromtheBentonville"PeopleDivision"wereflownin,and
employeeswererequiredtoattendhourlongmeetings,wheretheywereshownanti
laborvideosandwarnedaboutunions."Theytendtotreatyoulikeyou'resimple,and
theyuserealbadscaretactics,"saysMcLaughlin.Thosewhosupportedtheunion,she
says,weretold,"Somepeoplejustdon'tbelongatWalMart."
McLaughlinisn'tshyaboutspeakinghermind,andinthemeetingsheconfrontedone
ofthemenfromthePeopleDivision."Letmetellyou,Iusedtohaveepilepsy,"she
toldhim."Mydadwasinaunion,andwehadhealthinsurance,andIgotbetter.I
don'thavehealthinsurance.Ifmychildgotepilepsy,whatwouldIdo?Doesn'taunion
helpyoutogetcompanypaidinsurance?"Theman,sherecalls,becameflustered.
"Jennifer,Idon'thaveanansweraboutthat,"hesaid."I'llhavetogetbackwithyou."
Themeetingswerejustthebeginning."Thevideosandgroupmeetingsarethesurface
cosmetics,"saysLevitt,theformerconsultant."WhereWalMartbeatstheunionis
throughaoneononeprocessimplementedfromBentonville.Theycarefullyinstruct
managementtoindividuallyworkovereachemployeewhomightbeaunion
sympathizer."InParis,EricJacksonwascalledintoabackroombyfivemanagersand
madetowatchanantiunionvideoandparticipateinaroleplayingexercise."Iwas
supposedtobeamanager,andoneofthemwastheassociatewhocametomewitha
questionaboutaunion,"saysJackson."SoIquotedthevideo.Isaid,Wedonot
believeweneedaunionatWalMart,'andtheywerelike,Good,good!'andthenI
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said,We'renotantiunionwe'reproassociate,'justlikeI'msupposedtosay."
Beforetheonslaughtbythecompany,saysMcLaughlin,shetalkedtomorethan70
workersattheParisstorewhowerepreparedtosigncardscallingforavoteonunion
representation,butthatnumberquicklydwindled.Thosewho'dsignedcardsfeltthey
werebeingwatched."Allofasuddenthecamerasstartgoingup,"saysChrisBills,
whoworksinthereceivingarea."Nowthere'sthreeinreceiving.Thisonemanager
tookupsmokingsohecouldsitwithusonourbreaks."Otherhourlyemployees
learnedforthefirsttimethattheywereactuallycountedasmanagers."Theysaidwe
wereconsideredmanagement,soweshouldn'tgetinvolvedwiththeunionstuff,"says
DianneSmallwood,aformercustomerservicemanagerwhoworkedatthestoreseven
years.Employeesopposedtotheunionweregiven"proassociate"buttonstowear,
whilemanagersamendedthedresscodetoexcludeTshirtswithanykindofwriting
onthem,apparentlytopreventworkersfromwearingunionshirts.
WalMartdeclinedtoletMotherJonesinterviewstoremanagersorrepresentatives
fromthePeopleDivisioninBentonville,butsaysitsendsoutpeoplefromcorporate
headquarters"toanswerquestionsassociatesmayhaveandtomakesurethatall
storepersonnelareawareoftheirlegalrequirementsandmeetthoserequirements
exactly."Butthecompanyhasalsomadeclearthatkeepingitsstoresunionfreeisas
muchapartofWalMartcultureasdoorgreetersandblueaprons."Union
representationmayworkwellforothers,"saysCynthiaIllick,acompany
spokeswoman."However,itisnotafitforWalMart."
Withthecompanysodeterminedtowardoffunions,theprospectsofemployeesin
townslikeParis,Texas,winningsignificantimprovementsinwagesandworking
conditionsseemawfullyslim."It'salongprocess,"JenniferMcLaughlinconcedes."I
wishitcouldbedoneinthenextyear,butpeoplecomeandgo,andforeveryone
unioncardyougetsigned,twootheroneswhosignedcardshavegottenfiredorleft.
It'srealfrustrating,andalotoftimesIdon'twanttodoitnomore.ButI'mnotgoing
togiveupuntilIendupleavingthestore."
Intheend,thesuccessoftheorganizingdrivesmaydependonlabor'sabilityto
mobilizemorethanjuststoreemployees."We'llneverbringWalMarttothetable
storebystore,"saysBernieHesse,anorganizerforUFCWLocal789inMinneapolis."I
cangetallthecardssignedIwant,andthey'llstillcrushus.They'llclosethefrigging
store,I'mconvinced.We'vegottodoitinconjunctionwiththecommunity."That
meansgoingtosmallbusinessesandreligiousleadersandlocalofficials,hesays,and
convincingthemthatit'sintheirinteresttostanduptoWalMart."Asacommunity
we'vegottosay,Allright,ifyouwanttocomehereanddobusiness,here'swhat
you'vegottodoyou'vegottopayalivingwage,you'vegottoprovideaffordable
healthinsurance.'"
Puttingtogethersuchabroadinitiativecanbe"likepullingteeth,"Hessesays,butthe
stakesarehigh.Ifemployeessucceedinimprovingwagesandworkingconditionsat
thecountry'slargestemployer,theycouldeffectivelysetanewbenchmarkforservice
sectorjobsthroughouttheeconomy.Some27millionAmericanscurrentlymake$8.70
anhourorlessandbytheendofthedecade,Hessenotes,nearly2millionpeople
worldwidewillworkatWalMart.
"Thesearethejobsourkidsaregoingtohave,"hesays.
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leebendel 8yearsago
i'manemployeeofwalmartinwadsworthohio.i'vbeentheresinceitopendin2004.ihurt
myshoulder2weeksagoatworkbecauseofalotofwhatyoutalkedabout.shortstaffed
andforcedtoworkfast.lastnightigotcalledtotheofficeandoneofthemanagerstriedto
Wenoticedyouhaveadblockeron.Supportnonprofitinvestigative
writemeupforgettinghurt.ididnothingwrong,iwasreachinguponapalletthatwasat
reportingbypitchinginafewbucks.DONATE
X
least8fthighandthecaseofjuiceweighedatleast50lbs.theytoldmeishouldhave
usedaladder,whichisalsoasafetyhazard.whatdoido?elroyosu@aol.com
Reply Share
joeDirt>leebendel 3yearsago
Iamlookingintoapplyingforthepharmacypositionatyourstore.Iamcuriousto
knowiftheyareshortstaffedthereaswell?Ijustgraduatedfromschoolsothis
wouldbemyfirstrealjoboutsideofschool.Iamwonderingifthisisagoodfirstjob
tobein?
Reply Share
MaryHonderich>joeDirt 6monthsago
Ihonestlythinkitis.Itisn'tasbadaseveryonemakesitouttobe.The
problemwithcollectivism(pleasetakenotesMotherJonespublication)is
thatitonlylooksatgroupsandfailstolookatthepeoplewithinthem.Iwork
atWalmartandlovethepeoplethereincludingthemanagementteam!
Prettymuchwithanyjobthereisgoingtobeeasyandhardpeopletowork
withitsmoreofamatterofhowitgetshandled.Caseinpointifyourefuse
toworkandstandaroundwithasign(whatIamguessingtheydon'tpay
youtodo)theyhaveeveryrighttofireyou!
Reply Share
bettyjones 8yearsago
walmartisauser!!underpaid,wer'ejustanumbernotaperson,itsnothowlongyouve
workedforthem,itsavailibility.itsucks!!!!!!!!
1
Reply Share
amanda 8yearsago
InSeptemberOf2006IwashiredatAWalmartinCorry,Pennsylvania,Iworkedtherefor
7MonthsasacashierandBecauseMylongtermboyfriendwasgoingtoschoolaKent
StateMainCampus,Wemovedtothatarea.Iputinforatransfertoanotherstoreand
whilestillworkinginpa,IrecievedajobofferforCustomerservicemanagerinthe
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whilestillworkinginpa,IrecievedajobofferforCustomerservicemanagerinthe
streetboro,oh.Ithoughtitwasawesome,soItookitwithouthesitation.UponmovingI
startedworkinginthatstore.IwouldalsoliketoaddtheyknewIhadnotraininginthat
position.Thefirstdaytheybasicallyhandedmethekeystothepodiumalongwithallthe
departmentkeysandleftmetofigureitout.thatwholesituationwasverysketchy.there
wasnostoremanager,alongwithotherassistantmanagers.throughmymonthofworking
there,twomanagerslefttogotodifferentstores.thestoremanagertheyhiredwasanex
employeeofKmart.Igottomeetheraboutoneweekbeforeileft.theyalsohiredaco
managerinthatweekthatworkedatTop's.Iexperiencedtheworstworkingconditionsin
mylife.Ihadtodothingsthatwasnotinmyjobdescription.Ihadtotakecareof
Jewelry,Electronics,SportingGoodsalongwithmyresponsibilitiesasaCSM.Iendedup
havingaargumentwithanassistantmanageroverheractuallyyellingatanother
employee.Iendedwalkingoutofthatstoreandneverlookedback.They"investigatedthe
incident"ButIneverheardfromthemagainaboutwhatwasdecided.Franklyatthatpoint
Ididn'tcare.thewayeverythingwashandledineveryaspectwasabsolutleydisturbing.
franklyIwoulddiscourageanyonefromworkingforthem.
4
Reply Share
Nick(Nicademus)Gibson 8yearsago
Youhaven'tanyideahowtruethisis..youreallycannotsupportsomeoneelseonawal
martsalery,youcanbarelymakeitonyourown..therearepeoplebeinghiredinatmore
payallthetime..andyouarenevertakenseriouselyunlessitinvolvesaunion,thenyour
justfiredinsteadofresolved...iworkforstore65outofSullivanmissouri,andiwouldlike
tobeheard.
2
Reply Share
Nicademus 8yearsago
Itshardforayoungmantomakeitwithoutabetterjob.
Reply Share
dannardone 8yearsago
VerytrueIworkatwalmartfor2years
Reply Share
RebekahDay 8yearsago
IworkforSupercenterWalmartStore#3726inGrandBlanc,MI.Iwashiredinasadaily
cashierat$7.70/hour.Iwastrainedindirectsandincashieringasthiswasabrandnew
storethatopenedinJan.2006.IwashiredNov.30,2005.Ithenwasmovedto2ndshift
becausetheywereshortstaffed.Icurrentlyhada3yroldsonandfoundoutIwas
pregnantwithtwins!Walmartrefusedtoabidebymy10lb.liftingrestrictionandmystool
restriction.WhenIwasfinallygivenmystool,Iwasputatthedoor,atthefittingroomto
answerphonesandotherthings.Thefunnythingisthatmyrestrictionclearlystated
"NeedsastooltobeplacedatLANEtodojob."IwastoldthatifIneededastoolthenI
needtobeathomeonthecouchwithmyfeetpropped.WellIwasparttimeandcouldnot
receiveshorttermdisabilty.SohowwasIsupposedtohelpsupportthehouseholdand
prepareforTWINS?Ithenwentonmaternityleave.BecauseofthisIwasbypassedona
CSSposition.Ireturnedtoworktogorightbackoutforgallbladdersurgery.ShortlyafterI
returnedfromsurgeryIwasdeniedcertaindaysoffthatwereimportantastheywere
familyeventsthathappeneveryyearandwastoldthattherewerepeoplewhohadmore
senorityoverme,butyetthereisnosenority.PlusIwashiredbeforethesepeople.Finally,
inJan.2007IwasaskedifIwantedtogoto3rdshiftasacashierastheyhadjustfired2
peopleandweredesperate.IfiguredIwouldbemakingadollarmoreanhoursoItookit.I
thenwentfrom$8.10to$9.10anhour.Justamonthafterthatmybrotherwashiredin
seemore
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MichaelSheets 8yearsago
IgotfiredfromWalMartinJune2007forfollowingmymedicalrestrictionswhenigothurt
pullibga2000lbpalletbymyselfbecauseicouldhavehelp.Theyrefusedtogiveme
somethingtositoneventhoughitwasoneofmyrestrictionandthesaidthecould
acconodateit.WheniwasdoorgreetingIwent10feetawayfromthedoortogetsomthing
toleanonandmypatheticacuseforacomanagerfiredmeonthespot
4
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http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2003/03/againstwalmart
8/16
10/2/2015
UpAgainstWalMart|MotherJones
4
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mike 8yearsago
WalMart5466inGroveCityOhiosucks,theyfiredmefordoingexactlywhatiwastold.
Butiguesswe'llseewhohasthelastlaugh
1
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Lolol>mike 4yearsago
them,theymakebillions
5
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lowpaid 8yearsago
Haha.Iwasjusthiredatwalmart.InArkansasthestateofthehomeoffice.Imake6.80an
hour.Iwork32hoursaweek,Ican'tbefulltimebecausethenIwouldgetbenefits.Iwill
make11,000ayearbeforetaxes.Iamsupporting3kids.Waybelowpovertylevel.Yet
severalpeoplewhoworkatwalmartcomplainbecausetheymake810dollarsanhour.I
alwaysgetakickbytheaverageswalmartsaystheypaytheirworkers.Ithinkitis10an
hourrightnow.Luckythem.
1
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frustratedemployee>lowpaid 6yearsago
Iknowthefeeling
WhenIstartedinOctober2006,Iwashiredonat9.75perhour.After3years,Iam
upto11.60perhour.However,newhiredstaffinourdepartmentstartedat10.20
anhour.
Theirpayscaleissounjust.I'llbegivingmyresignationprettyshortlyasit'salmost
impossibletohaveanotherjobbecauseWalMartcontrolsallofretail.Iama
certifiedITtechnicianin3levels.
I'llbegladwhenIamgone.
3
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Tamsbear16>frustratedemployee 4yearsago
IhavebeenwithWalmartfor5years.IstartedasacashierandnowIama
parttimeCustomerServiceManagerandstillonlymake10.90/hrand
maybe3034hrsaweek.HowamIsupposedtogetbyonthat?
1
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Marissa>Tamsbear16 4yearsago
Butthat'snotWalMart'sproblem.Nooffense,butmanyretail
employeesarereplaceable.Otherjobsthatrequirehigh
qualificationsgethigherpaybecausetheemployersneedtopay
themenoughtoknowthattheywon'tleave.Butprettymuchanyone
canbeaWalMartemployee.Unlessyourpayisbeneathminimum
wage,IseenoreasontoblameWalMart.Thisiscapitalism.It's
harsh,butwhatcanyoudo?It'sthebesteconomicsystemwehave.
1
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R.S.S.>Marissa ayearago
Ifthisisthebestwehavegotthenitistimeforrevolution.
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cindywiltz 8yearsago
ForallthoseseriousaboutchangingthesystematyourWalmartstore.Icanrelateijust
startedworkingforWalmartAGAINovernightafterabout9yearsofnotbeinginthe
company.MostlybecauseIneededsomethingtosupplementmyeducation.Iwrite..idon't
knowIguessbecauseI'veheardthesamecomplaintsaroundmyownstore.WalMarthas
atendencytodiscriminate,degradeandfabricatetotheirassociatesandhaveno
explanationforit.Alsonoreasonforit,Ihavebeenworkingovernightforthemalittleover
5monthsnowandhaveseennumerouspeoplequit.Almostdailyit'sbeenforamonthI
haveseengoodpeopleleaveforthingsthatcaneasilybecorrectedbymanagement.Yet
theirsolutionistochangeformatandgoonvacation.It'stimetomakechagespeople.Write
downcomplaints,times,anddatesandtakethemtoHR.Iftheydonothinggotheextramile
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downcomplaints,times,anddatesandtakethemtoHR.Iftheydonothinggotheextramile
andbringittotheirbossesandsoon.Nooneevergotanythingdonebybelly
aching.Howevereveryonedeservesrespectnomatterwhoyouaresodemandit.Asa
collegestudentnoIdon'tplanonstayingatWalMart.StillIbelieveinteamworkand
honestbusinesspractice.Sopeopleit'stimetogiveWalMartasmackonthehandthat
hurts.SinceIstartedWehavebeentoldlieafterlie,fromjobstatustojobevaluation.For
examplewhenIhiredonIwastoldspecificallybythemanangerofmystoreandthen
againinorientationthatevaluationswouldtakeplaceafter90days.Insteadmostpeople
weretakenofftempstatusandputonparttimewithnoevaluation.Nottomentionyouare
seemore
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shane 8yearsago
Ifyouthinkthepayandconditionsaresobadthenwhydontyougoworksomewhere
else.Whycomplainwhenyouhaveeveryoptiontoexploreotheropportunities.Obviously
thereissomereasonthatyoustay.Issomethingbetterthannothingatall?
7
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1234>shane 5yearsago
I'mwritingapaperformycollegewritingcourseonthisarticle,andthatistheexact
stanceI'mtaking.There'salwaysanotheroption,obviouslytheemployeestolerate
theconditionsforareason.
3
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Pyrite>1234 4yearsago
....WhileIalmostagreewithyourcomment...Ihavetoexplainonelittle
thing...Thegrassisnotalwaysgreener...Iwasunemployedfor...along
timepriortothisjob...Ifeltblessedtohavegotabyjobatwalmart..And
EventhoIAMbeingshatondaily..IwilldowhatIcantokeepmyjob..
becausebeingcoveredwith"shat"isalotbetterthanbeinghomeless.
EverypersonatmystoretoleratesthisbullbecuaseweALLknowthatits
thisorthestreets..Thereisnoworkheretobehad...Orwewouldhaveall
quit..andhadit.Youarerite..toadegree..Iftheconditionsaresohorrible,
whynotmoveon...But,myfriend..someofuscantmoveon..WMisthe
onlyplaceinthiscountythatregularlyhires..Mostplaceshavenotbeen
activelyhiringforyears..peoplecherishwhateverworktheycanget..And
Walmartisonlyregularlyhiringcausetheonesthatcan,DOquit.Idont
wannacomeoffasajerkhere..Butifyoudontknowfirsthandwhatitslike
inthesestores,Youreallyhavenoplacepostingyour"advice"..Andifyou
DOhavefirsthandknowledgeofthesestores,theenvironmentandthe
"walmartway"Andstillfeelyourcommentisvalid..thenIwouldbetmoney
youareaWalmartSalariedManager..CauseIhearthemsaythesame
thingregularly"Ifyoudontlikewhatsgoinon,thenleave"
7
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ryan 8yearsago
IjuststartedatwalmartandI'monthenightshift,Iget8dollarsanhourandthatsgoodfor
me(everyotherjobI'vehadhasbeenunder7anhour),nightshiftgetsadollarmorean
hourIthinkthat'swhyits8.00,nothingcrazyhashappenedsofarand8dollarsanhouris
coolwithme,itseasyworkI'mnotcomplaining,sothat'sonepostonherethat'spro
walmart(I'malsoprounionbutheywhatcanyoudo)I'mwiththeotherguy,ifyoudon't
likeitfindanotherjob(youcanworkatwalmartuntilyoufindsomethingbetterlikeI'm
doing),heythisisAMERICAordidallthisfreedommakeyouforget,ohandwalmartisa
freakingstorethat'sownedbysomeonesomewhere,getyourownfortune500company
andrunitthewayyouwant,untilthenshutupandeatyour99centlemonbakeddelli
chicken
7
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spoiledbrat 8yearsago
anyretailjobstinksifyouareapersonwhothinkseverythingshouldbehandedtoyouon
asilverplatter.youngamericanshavenoworkethic,nowondereverythingisgettingout
sourced
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2003/03/againstwalmart
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Anonymous>spoiledbrat 5yearsago
Itishardlyamatterof'workethic'whenpeopleareworking.Itisamatteroflow
wageserviceindustryjobsandwalmartinparticulargettingawaywithnotpaying
theirworkersalivingwagesotheycanbeselfreliant.Keeptakingupforthebig
boxstorewhileyouareprovidingwagesfortheirworkersbecausewalmartwants
tokeepitsprofitsandnotpaytheworkersthemselves.
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Daniel>spoiledbrat 3yearsago
Youarewrong.It'snotaboutthework.Ilovetoworkandtogetthings
accomplished,andsodomostofthepeopleIknow.
Idoshareyourdisdainaboutyoungamericansthough...It'stoobadthattheydon't
haveanyonetoshowthemwhatrealworkethicis..
Itreallyseemslikeworkisall"whip"andnoethicanymore/
"lifewithoutvisionisdrudgery".
Reply Share
chrismullen 8yearsago
idontfellsorryforsomeonewhoworksatwalmartifudontlikeworkingtherethenout.
2
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Anonymous>chrismullen 7yearsago
IamayoungunivesitystudentandIdonotworkatWalMart.Ipersonallythinkthe
peoplewhopracticallysay"likeitorleaveit"aresomewhatnaive.Thisisspecially
truewhenyouseepeoplewhohavechildrenorareseniorcitizens.Thisistheonly
jobtheycanfindintown.Theycannotmoveanywherebecausetheydonothave
theresourcestodoso.Theyhavetotakecareandprovidefortheirkidsor
themselvesiftheyareseniors.Itiseasiertotellayoungadultwhodoesnothave
asmanyobligationstoleaveitifhedoesn'tlikeitbecausethereismoremobility
andenergy.Idothinkthepeoplewhocanleave,meaningtheyhavetheresources
andabilitytoleave,shouldleave.ButtherecannotbeageneralizationSomeone
cannotjustsaytoeveryone"ifyoudon'tlikeitleaveit".
11
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Anonymous>chrismullen 5yearsago
actually,walmarthassomuchcloutthatevenworkerswhodonotworkforthem
areseeingtheirwageslowered.don'tblamehardworkingpeoplewhoarenot
beingpaidafairwageblamegreedycorporationswhoexploittheirworkersfora
profit.
5
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ja114023>chrismullen 5yearsago
1:youmeanfeelnotfell
2:Iunderstandyourpointofviewbutsomepeopledonothaveachoice.Wellof
coursetheyhaveachoicebutiftheyapplytolotsofjobsandtheonlyonethat
callsiswallmartthentothemitsbettertomakesomemoneythannomoney.If
theyhavetopaybillsorfeedfamily.
1
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Dave 8yearsago
InBryanOhiogotfiredrecentlyforaunrulycusomersayinghewasshoppingelsewhere.I
amnotsurehowIcouldhavepreventedthisbutthemanagerJacksaiditwasmyfault.I
havehadnumerouscompilments.Thismanagerisknowntoberudetothecustomersmy
momwasinthestoreandhewasveryrudetoherwhensheaskedforhelpfromhimhe
didnotknowwhoshewasshecomplainedtomeaboutthisbutItoldherIcouldsay
nothinginfearoflosingmyjob.Jobsarenotplentifulrightnow.Ineverrecieveda
weekendoffsinceIworkedthereandwentinwhenevertheycalledmetodoso.Iamnot
surewhatIcandowhenacustomerisunrulyIguessinformingmysuperiorwasa
mistakeinthiscase.Iamnotanumberbutahumanbeing.IhopethatsomedayJackgets
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2003/03/againstwalmart
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mistakeinthiscase.Iamnotanumberbutahumanbeing.IhopethatsomedayJackgets
thesametreatmenthehasbeenhandingouttoothers.Ihavereadthroughthecomplaints
andalloftheseIhaveseenmyself.Theyhavenoreguardforsafetyandnorepectfor
youasanindividual.
1
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Bob 8yearsago
IwashiredbytheWalMartSuperCenterhereinSpringfield,ILinFebruary2007.
Thejobwastobepartofthestoresetupandremodelingcrew.Thejobwas
classifiedasatemporary,parttimeposition,althoughthescheduledhours
were10:00PMto7:00AMbeginningeachSundayeveningthroughThursday.
Thejobwastolastuntilthestoreremodelingprojectwascompletedestimated
tobeabout3months.Iwaspaid$9.45perhourasagreed,andinsomeweeks
hadtheopportunitytogetafewhoursofovertime,whichIgladlyaccepted
inordertoearnadecentpaycheck.
Idiscountedtheofficial'temporary,parttime'WalMartjobclassificationIwas
givensinceIwasactuallyworkingregularlyscheduledfulltimehours+overtime.
InitiallyIfeltthatthismightbeagoodopportunitytoimprovemylivingstandard
andgetwithacompanythathadapromisingfuture.Ifoundtheworkincludeda
significantamountofheavymanuallaborbutworkedveryhardandcontinuedmy
commitmentinhopesthatanadvancementtoamorepermanent,fulltime
positionwouldbecomeavailableattheendoftheproject.Thiswasnever
promisedbycompanypersonnel,butitwassuggestedthatprojectworkerswho
didanexcellentjobmightbeofferedapermanentpositionattheendofthe
project.Thisturnedouttobethecase.
seemore
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Anonymous>Bob 5yearsago
agree
BelievewhenIsaythistheywillgettheirswhomtheyhavetreatedunfairlyand
theirstewart'sover.weallhavetoanswerforthewrongwe'vedone.Prayforthem
andmoveon,weallhavefallenshortofthegloryofGod.whohasnotsinnedcast
thefirststone.Beblessedall
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Pyrite>Anonymous 4yearsago
...Seriously?
Reply Share
KellyDebbie6>Anonymous 4yearsago
IamaChristiansoIunderstandwhereyourcomingfromhoweverWalmart
hastobeheldtothesamestandardsweallliveby.Ihavebeenthroughso
muchwiththisCo.thedaythatIleaveisthedayIwilltellallbyanymeans
availabletome.Walmarthastoanswertoallthepeoplethey'vehurt,
peoplethatGodcreatedandloves.ThisCo.willfallandIprayGodallows
metowatch.
1
Reply Share
TheresaKugelman 8yearsago
IalsocannotliveonwhatWalMartpaysme.Idon'thavehealthinsurancebecauseit'sto
expensive.IliveinHunterdonCountyinNewJersey,whichisveryexpensive.
1
Reply Share
GloriaMillich 8yearsago
Goodluchandmayyouwininyoureffortstogetfairpayforajobwelldone.
Reply Share
David>GloriaMillich 4yearsago
:I<notcaring
Reply Share
jennifer 8yearsago
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2003/03/againstwalmart
12/16
10/2/2015
UpAgainstWalMart|MotherJones
jennifer 8yearsago
meandmyhusbandworkforaretailcompany(union)theonlythingtheunionisgoodforis
thatyougetayearlyraise,theydonotprotectyouonnothingelsenotevenpensionme
andmyhsubandcanworkinthesamedept.dothesamejobbutigetpaidalotlessthan
him,theycanpromoteyouanddemoteyouonthesamedayfornoreasontheycan
scheduleyouwheneverandwhatevertheywantunionsaysdowhattheysay,yearsago
unionsweregoodnotnowtheysuck
Reply Share
Anonymous>jennifer 5yearsago
Itsyourshopstewardthatsucks,andyourunioneven.IamaTeamster.Wedon't
havethatproblem.
1
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Pyrite>jennifer 4yearsago
Youunionstoppedjustshyofgrammaraye?Butonaseriousnote..Someunions
havealotofpowertoinfluencetheworkenvironment,Othershaveless..Itsounds
tomelikeyoudon'thaveaunion..IworkatWalmart..ANDIamamemberofthe
InternationalBrotherhoodofBoilermakersLocal112.IfWalmartknewIwould
likelybefired..ButIDOknowfirsthandwhataunioniscapableofasfaras
makingyourworkingenvironmentfair.
Reply Share
Nikki 8yearsago
Iamasinglemotheroffourbeautifulchildren.IfitWEREN'TforWalmart,Iwouldjustbe
anotherstatisticdependinguponthesystem.Ihavedentalinsurance,medicalinsurance,
andaccidentalformyselfandallofmychildren.Idon'tknowwhyanyonewouldneglectto
signupfomedicalbenefitsfortheirfamily,notonlyaretheyaffordable,therearemany
planstochoosefrom.Ifyouaren'ttakingadvantageofthat,Iwouldconsiderthatdueto
yourownfault,notWalmarts.IhaveNEVERbeenaskedtoworkofftheclock,infactjust
theopposite,mymgrs.alwaysaskedifIwas"on"beforeevenattemptingtoaska
question.Thebiggestproblem,ishiringpeoplewhocomeinwithanalreadybiased
opinionofthestoreandattempttoswayanyandeveryotherindividualtomirrortheir
negitivity.WorkingatWalmartisnotmandatory,it'soptional,andVOLUNTARY.
4
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Anonymous>Nikki 5yearsago
walmart
Letmeguess,yournew!!!Onlyrecentlyhavetheymadesurenobodyworkedoff
theclock!AndthatwasONLYbecauseofALLthelawsuits!!!!
1
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guest>Anonymous 4yearsago
IworkedatWalMartfrom19891997.NEVERwasIaskedto,orexpected
to,workofftheclockdespitehavingworkedunder3differentstore
managersduringthattime.I'dbeatthestoreofftheclockwaitingfor
friendstogetoffworktogooutandifmanagementwouldseemehelping
straightenanythingorrunareportsomyfriendscouldgetoffworkearlier,
theywouldremindmethatIwasofftheclockandnottobeworking.
TherearealotofcrappyjobsintheeconomythatIwouldn'twanttomakea
careerofWalMartisjustoneofthem.Butitwasalotbetterthroughhigh
schoolandcollegethansomejobsmyfriendshad.SoIfinishedcollegeso
Icouldgetout.Everyonehasthechoiceforaneducationsotheycanwork
someplaceelse.Andiftherearenootherjobsinyourtown,move.
1
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AngiePursley@rogers.com 8yearsago
canyoupleaseemailmeadescriptionoftheduty'sadoorgreaterdoseatwalmart.
Reply Share
John 8yearsago
Ihaveneverworkedforwalmartbutihavespentthepast14yearsworkinginfastfood
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2003/03/againstwalmart
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10/2/2015
UpAgainstWalMart|MotherJones
Ihaveneverworkedforwalmartbutihavespentthepast14yearsworkinginfastfood
peoplealsocomplainaboutthesejobsbeforeisaythisletmesayistartedoutatminimum
wagewhenimadeitto$7.50anhourfoundoutiwasgonnahavebabyieventuallymade
ittoo$9.25anhourinevercomplainedinevercalledoutialwaysworkedoverorcamein
ifcalledbecauseiknewhardworkwastheonlywaytogetanythingittook7yearsuntili
gotachancetomanagemyownstorenowimake$70,000.00ayearsoiknowthatmost
ofthesepeoplearewineylazypeoplewhowanteverythinghandedtothem.Peopleshut
upworkyourassoffandgetsomewherequitwaitingonotherpeopletogiveittooyou.
3
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GlennMiller>John 6yearsago
Pleasetakeyour$70,000ayearandfindindependenceandentrpenurialamerican
freedom.RememberyourWalmartstoremightbeonAmericansoil,buttheir
coporatelawsarefeudalandslaving.Icommendyouforthehardworkupthe
chain,butwhenitisallsaidanddonewhatdoyouhaveajeaporized401Kanda
10?%discountcard.AskLeeScottpersonallythedayyouretireifherellycares
aboutyouorhowgoodofawelloiledmachinepartmadeitsofarthenstarted
throughingmonkeycrapbackacrossthemanagmentlinestohisorherown
Associates.
Reply Share
Anonymous>John 5yearsago
Supposeeveryoneinthestoreworkedashardasyou.Doyouthinkeveryone
wouldbemadestoremanager?No,becauseinprinciple,onlyafewpeoplecanbe
storemanagers.
It'sclearwhytheymadeyoumanager,thoughyouthinkinexactlythewayWal
Martwantsitsmanagerstothink!
1
Reply Share
Anonymous>John 5yearsago
walmart
GOODFORYOU!!ButIhopeyouhaveenoughbrains,tospendyourmoneysome
placeelsebesideswalmart!!Iworkthere,gotinjured6YEARSago,havehad
FOURsurgeries,havebeenfightingforeach&everyoneofthem,onmyown!I
workedVERYhardforthiscompany&havehadtofightJUSTashardorharder,to
getthemedicaltreatmentthatIdeserved,fromtheverybeginning!ThereisNOT
ONEpharmacythatwilltakewalmartsworkmansc0mp,becausewalmartmakes
sureofthat,bydelayingpaymentsformedsforaslongas6to7months,therefor,
MAKINGyouusetheirs!Mylastbacksurgerywas3weeksago&EVERYSINGLE
TIMEI'vegonetogetmymeds,3times,sofar,IHAVETOPAYOUTOFPOCKET
because,theytoohavetobeOK'dfromheadquartersbackeast!Theyareona
differenttimethanusinWashington.Sure,they'llreimburseme,lasttimearound,it
wasTWOYEARS!!!!!!IDONOTSPENDADIMEINWALMART!!!Myonlywayof
protestingatthisstage.Theyhavearepforpostponingmedhelp,foraslongas
possible!Mostfolkscan'twaitmonthsoryearstofightthem,theyhavefamiliesto
support&whenyougivein,THEYARELONGERRESPONSIBLE,theyknowthat
&bankonit!!!STOPGOINGTOWALMART!!!ItisTRULY,THEMOFFIAOFTHE
RETAILBUSINESS!!!!!
3
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riekeant>John 5yearsago
Hardworkmeansnothingthere.
IunderstandthatHardWorkandDeterminationisthewaytomakeittobetterpay.
ThisisnotthecaseatWalMart.Itisthecasemosteverywhereelse.Whenyou
starttomakemoremoneyatWalMartyouareseenasaliability.Iworkedata
WalMartinBillingsMt.for43/4yearsbeforefindinganewjob.Iwatchedmany
associatesmakeitoverthe$10anhourmark.Itwasnotlonguntiltheynolonger
workedthere.Ifyoucouldn'tmakeitintothealmostcultlikemanagerialpositionsat
thatWalMart,afteryougotpast$10anhourtheyprettymuchmadeyourlife
miserableuntilyoufinallygotfedupandleftorfiredfornogoodreason.
Yes,Irealizethatapersonhasthefreedomtonotworkthere,butformanytowns,
WalMartistheonlyoptionforuneducatedfolks.IleftWalMartingoodstanding
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WalMartistheonlyoptionforuneducatedfolks.IleftWalMartingoodstanding
whenanotheropportunitycamemyway,butIfeelbadforpeoplewhodon'thave
theeducationortalentneededtohookontotheopportunityIdidatthetime.
Listen,Iunderstandbothsidesofthestoryhere.Ifyoudon'tlikethejobyoushould
findanewone...ifyoucan.FormostoftheWalMartworkers,itistheonlyjob
thattheycanget.ItseemslikeitwouldbeembarrasingtomeifIownedWalMart,
profited12billion,andknewthatagoodportionofmyworkerswereonfood
stamps.
IntheUS,IbelieveitisIllegalforacompanytoblockunionsasfarasWalMart
does.IremembertheantiunionvideosthatIwasforcedtowatch.Idon'tknow
wheretheanswerslie,butIhopethebestforallofyou.
1
Reply Share
rick 8yearsago
walmartisthegreediestcheapestpieceof[deleted]ontheplanet.theyscrewemployees
aswellascustomers.lowpricesmyass!onsomethingtheypay10dollarsfortheymarkit
up110%thensayohitsonsale.b.s.theylietheycheatandtheydontcarewhotheystep
ontolinetheirpockets.theycouldntcarelessifyousuethem.theyhavebillionsandas
longaspeopleshoptheretheyaresupportingthecommunistpartyinchina.whilechina
getsrichweamericansarelosingeverything.walmartisadisgrace!lasticheckedchina
wasourenemy.walmartrubsshoulderswithanyonewhowillmakethemaquickbuck.they
havebecomeabovethelaw.anyothercompanywithasmanysuitsaswalmartwouldbe
outofbusinessbutinthenewworldordertheymaketheirownrules!youcantbeatthemif
theycometoyourtownsaygoodbyetoyoureconomy.theyeatlittletownsforlunchand
thecourtsdonothing.why?ibelievepolotitionsarepaidtolooktheotherway.walmartis
thenewmafia!
3
Reply Share
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