Don’t End Up Being One of the “People of Walmart”

Whether there is or isn’t a grocery strike, we can put Walmart on the list for the grocery companies’ reasons for trying to slash wages and benefits on the unionized grocery clerks. Corporate greed, of course, tops the list, billions in profits just doesn’t seem to be enough. Like all the other companies in the country, lowering wages, making the employees pay for benefits, and breaking unions seems to be the order of the day. Whatever the grocery companies wring out of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, representing the grocery store employees, you can be guaranteed these same companies will come after us next. Our drivers and warehouse people will be next in line to fight off the rash of union busting. Just keep in mind that the Teamsters, as well as every other union, is under attack from Corporate America. Walmart will, of course, try to cash in on any strike to sell more groceries. Fortunately our members do a great job of educating people about Walmart and shopping Costco and our other union grocery stores Let’s see if these grocery stores appreciate our loyalty.

If not, there will be a Teamster presence to be reckoned with. We can not and will not allow our members to be treated unfairly by the grocers or any other company. Walmart is having problems of its own, though. Walmart has been the 800-pound gorilla for many years, but some of the smaller companies are now willing to square off against the giant. Amazon.com and other internet companies are fighting back against Walmart. Two online Walmart executives are leaving as Walmart attempts to reorganize their internet business here and abroad. Walmart, as reported in the mainstream media, does not have the lowest prices; smart shopping can provide better products at lower prices. Walmart employees are also trying to form an association to help them deal with the management of Walmart, just another sign that people are finally getting wise to the giant retailer and the poor treatment they receive. Meanwhile, Walmart must keep building stores to get to those lower economically based customers and find employees willing to work for less and be exploited for their labor. Desert Hot Springs is just the latest city Walmart has decided to invade. Of course they already have befriended the city council. Some of these council people just fall all over themselves to please Walmart. It’s laughable and sad at the same time to see how Walmart works these uninitiated council members with dinner and a compliment. The residents will wake up one morning and Walmart will be there, thanks to the buffoons running their city. On another note, Facebook and Twitter people aren't willing to admit to a trip to Walmart on their pages. It’s more likely some shop at Walmart but don’t really want anyone to know about it. The “People of Walmart” videos on youtube have also had a dramatic effect on Walmart. The customers that are filmed look to be from another planet or do not seem to own a mirror. Recently, a friend of mine saw his brother-in-law on the site and has been laughing ever since, much to the dismay of his wife. Walmart, although being a laughingstock on the internet and being the brunt of jokes on many late night shows, is not a joke at all to its workers, or to anyone else working for a living. Walmart has caused more companies to pay less and reduce benefits in an effort to be more profitable at the workers’expense than any other company in recent history. How many manufacturing jobs has Walmart been responsible for sending overseas? In these times of a bad economy we must stand strong and vigilant to protect our way of life. We will persevere.

My name is Jimmy Doyle and I can be reached at (909) 562-0876