When I read the article about Wal-Mart pulling out of Germany and Korea, I thought to myself good I am glad they lost big overseas serves them right! I say this because of there poor benefits and wage package for there employees. Yes, I am going to bash Wal-Mart and at the same time give a few tips about unions.

Wal-Mart is an amazing story thanks and no thanks to Sam Walton, you see he was very tight with his money not giving much or any to charities. Some of this seems to have changed since 1992 after his death, or perhaps due to mounting pressure coming from three fronts: discrimination lawsuits, unions, and political. It seems they are giving away money in all directions instead of doing the right thing, and that would be taking care of the people who get the job done like the employees!

One thing is for sure, if employees are not willing to stand up and demand more from there employer it is never going to happen and we will need help from the politicians as well to keep embracing what the Roosevelt administration did in 1933 (Wagner Act). The American workers fought very hard for there legal rights and pay in the work place, do not just assume it will always be there for you.

I can tell you this from experience, if a company looses its fight to a union, that company by law has to open its books up to the union! This means that huge companies like a Wal-Mart will find it very hard not to justify much better pay and benefits. Companies engaged in a union campaign will devote every last bit of energy and resource in fighting away that union! This means for a union to succeed it has to put on a world class performance. It will need a quality plan, well thought out strategies, and vigorous dedication.

- By Robert Souza
Credits: R.I.P. David F. Souza (Operating Engineers Brooklyn N.Y. Hall)

Related Links:
More about Wal-Mart
More about 1930
Local 406 on Legal Rights