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Wal-Mart Strikes Back
The American Spectator ^ | February 16, 2005 | Philip Klein

Posted on 02/15/2005 10:19:32 PM PST by quidnunc

Last week, Wal-Mart's Canadian division said it would close its first unionized store in North America, making Quebec the latest battleground in the retailer's struggle against unions.

Wal-Mart's decision triggered vicious rebukes from leftist Canadian politicians. David Christopherson, a Canadian Member of Parliament, even called Wal-Mart's decision to close the store "economic terrorism."

It is difficult to understand how workers are exercising their free choice by banding together to negotiate with their employer, but Wal-Mart is the corporate equivalent of Bin Laden because it is choosing not to stay in business under the union's terms.

Putting that aside, there is a greater irony here. The United Food and Commercial Workers union has spent years blasting Wal-Mart for violating human rights, putting local stores out of business, exploiting workers and being an all around evil corporate citizen. The union has a large presence in Canada, but it is based in Washington, D.C. and has campaigned to unionize Wal-Mart in both countries.

"Quite simply the benefits of having a Wal-Mart in your neighborhood are outweighed by the cost in store closures, lost jobs and other adverse effects Wal-Mart has on a community," the union's Website reads.

Based on these statements, one would expect the union to be celebrating the closing of a Wal-Mart in the parking lot like a conquering army. The union has liberated one town from the clutches of the Wal-Mart empire. It should be declared VWM day!

But the union is singing a different tune.

-snip-

(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Canada; Editorial; Extended News
KEYWORDS: bootheel; chinamart; chinanonukeus; competitionkillers; monopoly; walmart; walmarthell
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1 posted on 02/15/2005 10:19:32 PM PST by quidnunc
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To: quidnunc
Go Wal Mart! I don't shop there, but I've always liked how they operate.

Wait for the Social(ist) wing of the conservative movement to show up to bash Wally World.

2 posted on 02/15/2005 10:20:57 PM PST by Clemenza (Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms: The Other Holy Trinity)
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To: quidnunc
The store was an under performing store before the union attempted to organize. The union demands guaranteed it would no longer be a viable operation. Closing was the right choice.

Walmart really don't want to let the camel's nose under the edge of the tent. No unions ever.

3 posted on 02/15/2005 10:24:30 PM PST by Myrddin
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To: quidnunc

I like Walmart too but it is finally time to rein China in.

4 posted on 02/15/2005 10:25:21 PM PST by bahblahbah
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To: quidnunc

Oh no!!! The only store in N. America that sells Chinese good is not bowing down to extortion!!!

Damn the evil empire....


5 posted on 02/15/2005 10:25:40 PM PST by Tempest (Click on my name for a long list of press contacts)
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To: bahblahbah

That picture is cool. So did Walmart order the execution? Or was it Target? Or perhaps the picture has nothing to do with Walmart in a logical sense.

I tell you what I'll post a pic of hungry children and caption it. Feed the hungry children of the world shop at Walmart.....


6 posted on 02/15/2005 10:27:41 PM PST by Tempest (Click on my name for a long list of press contacts)
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To: quidnunc

LOL Oh yeah. The world's richest retailer just can't abide those uppity employees wanting to work for 40 hours instead of the usual 39, wanting benefits and ~gasp~ a livable wage. Who do they think they're dealing with? Why Walmart will have to give up the poor Chinese and hope they can find little children willing to work to produce their goods for 10cents per hour.


7 posted on 02/15/2005 10:28:19 PM PST by ETERNAL WARMING (We have the best politicians corporate money can buy)
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To: quidnunc

WalMart has the right to close a store if they feel there are adverse business conditions. It's their store. Unions have to realise that there is a point where they are no longer helping their members and doing damage instead. Until unions learn that, or union workers learn the union have screwed them over with out of control demands, this will happen again.


8 posted on 02/15/2005 10:28:46 PM PST by DJ MacWoW ("Are you cops? FBI" bad guy, "I'm currently unemployed" Tony Almeida of 24)
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To: ETERNAL WARMING

It's all the UNIONS fault...Just like the unions made the execs at GM pay 2 Billion to avoid buying something...

Note: This isn't defending unions, I am just trying to point out the double standard that exists in the minds of some.


:)


9 posted on 02/15/2005 10:31:27 PM PST by FactsMatter
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To: Tempest

Fight extortion, feed the children, save the world.

Shop Walmart, it makes the world a better place...

10 posted on 02/15/2005 10:31:48 PM PST by Tempest (Click on my name for a long list of press contacts)
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To: quidnunc; Dog Gone; Grampa Dave; snopercod; Willie Green
I've never been a Wal-Mart basher, but I'm really surprised how they layed right down for the Chinese Communists and agreed to allow yoonyunizashun of ALL there China operations!!!

Incredible!!!

11 posted on 02/15/2005 10:31:54 PM PST by SierraWasp (EnviroDems are against everything! Especially if it involves productive American's fun or profit!!!)
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To: Tempest

How is supporting a company that is one of the largest supportes of a Communist country a good thing?


12 posted on 02/15/2005 10:32:51 PM PST by FactsMatter
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To: FactsMatter

How is it different than any other retailer. If they weren't the largest retailer someone else would just step in and take their place. And guess what, they'd sell products made in China too!

Gasp!!! Big shock....


13 posted on 02/15/2005 10:35:04 PM PST by Tempest (Click on my name for a long list of press contacts)
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To: ETERNAL WARMING

What are you talking about?

WalMart does not produce anything, they simply buy things there and sell them here.

If and when they can find the same things cheaper elsewhere, then they would buy there.


14 posted on 02/15/2005 10:36:59 PM PST by bill1952 ("All that we do is done with an eye towards something else.")
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To: bill1952

Stop confusing the issue with facts. Walmart is obviously a communist company. They obviously have no interest in supplying the consumer with affordable goods but only to make the Chinese rich!


15 posted on 02/15/2005 10:38:49 PM PST by Tempest (Click on my name for a long list of press contacts)
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To: Tempest

If you check my post history I have advocated strongly for spreading globalization through southern Africa to serve the dual purpose of diluting the low paying job market from China and increasing the standard of living in Africa. I'm all for free trade, just not for oppressive communist countries.


16 posted on 02/15/2005 10:39:10 PM PST by bahblahbah
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To: quidnunc
Philip Klein, a former Reuters journalist, writes from New York.

This author sure doesn't seem to fit the Reuters profile.

17 posted on 02/15/2005 10:46:31 PM PST by Lancey Howard
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To: quidnunc
Last week, Wal-Mart's Canadian division said it would close its first unionized store in North America, making Quebec the latest battleground in the retailer's struggle against unions.

WOOHOO!!

18 posted on 02/15/2005 10:52:34 PM PST by Terriergal (What is the meaning of life?? Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him for ever.)
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To: bahblahbah

Not quite sure how Walmart can help that.


19 posted on 02/15/2005 10:53:22 PM PST by Terriergal (What is the meaning of life?? Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him for ever.)
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To: FactsMatter
How is supporting a company that is one of the largest supportes of a Communist country a good thing?

Because while Chinese peasants and prisoners are sucking hind teat, I'm getting my stuff cheap and living large.

20 posted on 02/15/2005 10:55:34 PM PST by Lancey Howard
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