MontanaXVI

Let me first start off by saying I did quick search and did not see anything like this that caught my eye, so please, if this is a re post do get rid of it.

I want to start off by saying or asking rather what is everyone's thoughts on the giant retailer Wal-Mart?

A little background on myself, I work for one of (if not the biggest) grocery retailer in the US (Kroger) and have for 12 years. I have a great healthcare package as worked out by my local union through my employer and while the payscale is a bit weak I do make a decent amount of money with the opportunity for a little OT here and there as the season dictates (vacations to cover, holidays etc.)

I asked the question above because for me, and this is not just due to the fact a union is involed and WM is historically very anti union, I simply flat out cannot stand WM. They (much like many companies) treat employees like shit, pay equally qualified women less than men in the same positions, use cheap out of country labor to make cheap product the american public goes nuts for, runs small business and shops out of town then raises the prices. The list goes on and on and on. People flock to them just because of the name and oh joy a new WM is opening let's go..with quite a few of them around me, no matter what end of town you are in the WM looks like trash all the traffic, and people who just feel the need to act like they have no sense or something just due to the fct they are shopping WM. I know this is probably not the norm but just around here that is the way it seems.

I will be the first to say working for a grocer it is very hard to work 40+ hours in a week then turn right around and give a third of my check right back to them on a regular basis to buy my food purchases for me and my girlfriend, but I just cannot bring myself to shop at such a cut throat competitor who has such a directly negative impact on my immediate working conditions. My contract is up in September, and the union is getting us ready now, it is going to be long and hard due to the fact that WM pays less so now my company feels the need to do as well to compete, not to metnion clashing my benefits or adding on ridiculous co-pays. The country as a whole is facing many problems with healtcare so I know in the long run this cannot be avoided, but again my problems result from WM and the way they run their business.

Hopefully some of you can post your thoughts/feelings on this WORLDWIDE corporate influence that WM is.

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Spank you very much