Don't let the prices fool you: Wal-Mart is no bargain for N.J

Star Ledger ^ | 06.16.06 | Tom Moran

[Coleus]

The line outside the new Wal- Mart in Kearny began form ing long before the 8 a.m. grand opening on Wednesday.

This corporate behemoth is opening stores everywhere on earth these days, including this 43rd outlet in New Jersey, built on the foundation of a vacant trucking terminal a mile or so from the New Jersey Turnpike.

You may have heard that Wal- Mart treats its employees as disposable parts, paying low wages, offering lousy benefits and crushing any effort to form a union. That's all true, which explains why almost half their employees quit every year.

But on Wednesday in Kearny, company executives did all they could to show the other side. They gave a giant cardboard check to a hospital charity. They invited leaders from the Hudson County Urban League to praise the company's efforts to recruit minorities. Middle-aged employees in matching blue vests cheered Wal- Mart's letters in unison, like high- school kids at a pep rally.

The emotional peak came when Wal-Mart vice-chairman John Menzer stepped onto a wooden po dium and told his new employees they were like family to him. "At Wal-Mart, we're all about our core beliefs, and respect for the individual," he said. Love it or hate it, Wal-Mart's formula works. Its low prices have made it the largest private employer in the world. It earns about $1 billion in profits each month.

The problem is the company is also a welfare freeloader.

It offers such paltry health benefits, at such a high cost, that most employees don't take any coverage at all. And many of them land in state programs designed for the poor. It offers such paltry health benefits, at such a high cost, that most employees don't take any coverage at all.

[VeniVidiVici]

It offers such paltry health benefits, at such a high cost, that most employees don't take any coverage at all. And many of them land in state programs designed for the poor. It offers such paltry health benefits, at such a high cost, that most employees don't take any coverage at all.

Such a pity. People leaving high paying, benefit giving jobs to go work at Wal-Mart, which apparently is too stingy to give either. Ah, well, what can you do?

[paulat]

It offers such paltry health benefits, at such a high cost, that most employees don't take any coverage at all. And many of them land in state programs designed for the poor. It offers such paltry health benefits, at such a high cost, that most employees don't take any coverage at all.

...oookay...so where would these people be WITHOUT Wal-Mart?

[soccer_maniac]

Its low prices have made it the largest private employer in the world. It earns about $1 billion in profits each month.

Case closed.

[AlaskaErik]

If Walmart is such a terrible place to work, then why don't they have trouble finding new associates to hire?

[Graybeard58]

S.O.S., different day.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Sure. Their low prices are no bargain for anybody.

[blackbart.223]

"If Walmart is such a terrible place to work, then why don't they have trouble finding new associates to hire?"

Another way to look at this is if you don't want low wages educate yourself so you don't have to accept them.

Not a hard concept.

[Kirkwood]

Walmart was the only business open for many weeks after Katrina. Walmart made it possible for people to return to their homes and begin the recovery.

[scan58]

It offers such paltry health benefits, at such a high cost, that most employees don't take any coverage at all. And many of them land in state programs designed for the poor. It offers such paltry health benefits, at such a high cost, that most employees don't take any coverage at all.

Could you repeat that, please?

[Nextrush]

No matter how much liberal booty gets smooched and liberal groups get funded by Wal-Mart as is now happening in the Jesse Jackson shake down tradition, they still get dumped on by the MSM.

[JerseyHighlander]

As far as WalMart in NJ, I doubt they'll affect the state much, the original low end dept storres started in NJ, it's a ripe market since many of the originals are gone.

Btu this, this is as funny as the Olive Garden restaurant chain running the "When your here your family!" ad campaign in North Jersey. Yeah, family you can't bring to your regular Italian place.

The emotional peak came when Wal-Mart vice-chairman John Menzer stepped onto a wooden po dium and told his new employees they were like family to him.

[pillut48]

Walmart bashing ping

[Graybeard58]

No matter how much liberal booty gets smooched and liberal groups get funded by Wal-Mart as is now happening in the Jesse Jackson shake down tradition, they still get dumped on by the MSM.

Can you expand on that a little?

[stephenjohnbanker]

"Such a pity. People leaving high paying, benefit giving jobs to go work at Wal-Mart"

Uh, not by choice. Capitalism is the best economic system in the world, but it ain't perfect.

[stephenjohnbanker]

I agree, but not every American is destined for college.

[miliantnutcase]

still sittin on their front stoop drinking 40's. ;o

[phatus maximus]

My sister lives in a small town and works at Walmart...they don't have much, 3 kids and she can't afford to get the crap insurance they offer...Go ahead, make your jokes, but lots of families could use a break from the company that makes a billion a month...she works her butt off for 40 hours a week and doesn't get weekends off...I'd say that the company could spare a bit of the profits to help her kids, my nephews, get decent medical care, wouldn't you?

[dk/coro]

So, what does that have to do with the price of tea in China? Working toward goals is what it is all about!

My dad died in WW-II when I was 14.

I WORKED after school, Saturdays and all summer(s); got to college on a full scholarship through the Navy; 2 Masters Degrees and an accelerated 0-6; ended up as a Bechtel Exec in my second career. Business ownership in my third. Hold-em player in my forth. *S* Money is easy; happiness we work at on a daily basis. *S*

I suggest that American kids might simply get off their collective asses -- and go to work!

Money is to be made, if that is their inclination.

Otherwise, indeed, there is WalMart. Opportunity abounds!
The choice is clear!

NO excuses whatsoever!