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Wal-Mart Warns of Democratic Win
The Wall Street Journal ^ | August 1, 2008 | ANN ZIMMERMAN and KRIS MAHER

Posted on 07/31/2008 9:53:55 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is mobilizing its store managers and department supervisors around the country to warn that if Democrats win power in November, they'll likely change federal law to make it easier for workers to unionize companies -- including Wal-Mart.

In recent weeks, thousands of Wal-Mart store managers and department heads have been summoned to mandatory meetings at which the retailer stresses the downside for workers if stores were to be unionized.

According to about a dozen Wal-Mart employees who attended such meetings in seven states, Wal-Mart executives claim that employees at unionized stores would have to pay hefty union dues while getting nothing in return, and may have to go on strike without compensation. Also, unionization could mean fewer jobs as labor costs rise.

The actions by Wal-Mart -- the nation's largest private employer -- reflect a growing concern among big business that a reinvigorated labor movement could reverse years of declining union membership. That could lead to higher payroll and health costs for companies already being hurt by rising fuel and commodities costs and the tough economic climate.

The Wal-Mart human-resources managers who run the meetings don't specifically tell attendees how to vote in November's election, but make it clear that voting for Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama would be tantamount to inviting unions in, according to Wal-Mart employees who attended gatherings in Maryland, Missouri and other states.

"The meeting leader said, 'I am not telling you how to vote, but if the Democrats win, this bill will pass and you won't have a vote on whether you want a union,'" said a Wal-Mart customer-service supervisor from Missouri. "I am not a stupid person. They were telling me how to vote," she said.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: democrats; economy; elections; obama; priceincrease; unions; walmart
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1 posted on 07/31/2008 9:57:07 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
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To: MinorityRepublican

This is GREAT!!! If every employer would do this it could change the outcome and keep the “Community Organizer” out of the Whitehouse, which I’m sure will NOT become “organized!”


2 posted on 07/31/2008 10:02:14 PM PDT by SierraWasp (I'm not against the environment, just GovernMental EnvironMentalism!!! (our new state religion))
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To: MinorityRepublican

yeah,and taxes,don’t forget the taxes,,,but unions have strong-armed people to vote forever.


3 posted on 07/31/2008 10:02:19 PM PDT by coalman (type to slow to be relevant,but I try)
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To: MinorityRepublican

They’ll also force Wal-Mart to stop selling firearms and ammunition.


4 posted on 07/31/2008 10:03:55 PM PDT by wastedyears (Show me your precious darlings, and I will crush them all)
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To: MinorityRepublican

Every company, big and small, should follow Wal-Mart’s lead.


5 posted on 07/31/2008 10:03:57 PM PDT by Drango (A liberal's compassion is limited only by the size of someone else's wallet.)
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To: MinorityRepublican

not ‘likely’ definitely.


6 posted on 07/31/2008 10:04:59 PM PDT by Beowulf9
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To: MinorityRepublican

About time that big businesses woke up to the threat to free enterprise that Obama and his marxist minions pose.

Time to put their money where their mouth is, and speak up against the Democrats and their business-wrecking agendas.


7 posted on 07/31/2008 10:06:31 PM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: Drango
I hope this news from Walmart has not gone un-noticed among most ( non union ) companies in our country.
I hope there are folks out there actively sending this news about Walmart to all the major ( non union ) companies.
8 posted on 07/31/2008 10:08:41 PM PDT by Prophet in the wilderness (PSALM .53 : 1 The FOOL hath said in his heart, there is no GOD.)
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To: MinorityRepublican

I shop at least once a week at Walmart because of their low prices - hope they stay low.


9 posted on 07/31/2008 10:12:36 PM PDT by Ciexyz
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To: MinorityRepublican
This is a good thing. I worked for Texas Instruments when I graduated from college. TI was very anti union and meetings were even held at employee level explaining the situation and what to do if union organizers showed up.

I don't know if TI is the same today. I do hope so.

10 posted on 07/31/2008 10:16:17 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: MinorityRepublican
When my wife was a manager, she attended a workshop on anti-union activities. The most important? An attitude of respect for your workers. If one of them has a death in the family, be at that funeral.
11 posted on 07/31/2008 10:16:22 PM PDT by RJR_fan (Winners and lovers shape the future. Whiners and losers TRY TO PREDICT IT.)
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To: MinorityRepublican

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many employers would post a note in their employees pay envelope saying “if so-and-so candidate (usually a democrat) is elected, don’t bother reporting for work the next day.” It worked then, but will it work nowadays?


12 posted on 07/31/2008 10:17:48 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (Barack Obama: Wrong & proud of it -- he's errogant!)
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To: MinorityRepublican

bookmark for later


13 posted on 07/31/2008 10:21:37 PM PDT by IrishCatholic (No local communist or socialist party chapter? Join the Democrats, it's the same thing.)
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To: MinorityRepublican

At the Rite Aid I use to work at, If you did not join the union, you were not allowed to work after a month or so. I stayed there for 2 weeks and never payed the union dues.


14 posted on 07/31/2008 10:24:50 PM PDT by a_chronic_whiner (Failure is not an option)
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To: MinorityRepublican
Not only does Walmart need to watch their back after Barry is elected, but every taxpaying citizen is this country will experience European tax rates. We will go back to the Carter years with long gas lines, and 20% interest rates for mortgages. No telling how high the interest rates for credit cards will be. Socialist medicine, socialist everything. Bigger government. Major slashes to the military and intelligence departments. Things are bad now, but they could be worse. Much worse. California, Arizona and New Mexico will be given back to Mexico. God help us all when Barry gets into office.
15 posted on 07/31/2008 10:25:22 PM PDT by antiunion person (President McCain, God help us all.)
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To: MinorityRepublican

The first thing the Democrats will do will be to eliminate the secret ballot for approving a Union. That way the goons will know which heads to crack.


16 posted on 07/31/2008 10:31:49 PM PDT by Anti-Bubba182
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To: MinorityRepublican

For later.


17 posted on 07/31/2008 10:55:25 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: MinorityRepublican

“growing concern among big business that a reinvigorated labor movement could reverse years of declining union membership. That could lead to higher payroll and health costs for companies already being hurt by rising fuel and commodities costs and the tough economic climate. “

If Obama wins, a severe recession is almost guaranteed and the US will never be the same again.

The Democrats would most likely use the recession as an excuse to fully convert the US into a totalitarian regime, with full government control of our economy and the people.


18 posted on 07/31/2008 11:44:34 PM PDT by FocusNexus ("Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." -- Vince Lombardi)
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To: MinorityRepublican

If they are so worried about the unions, if Obama gets elected. Then they should stop kiss their asses on socialized health care and global warming. I work for Wal-Mart. I noticed they were having meetings on this B.S. in the Wal-Mart world magazine which is available for associates. I have only seen it online on the Walmart associates only website. I don’t know if it would be allowed to post on here. They were having presentations that were like Al Gore’s movie, without his incessant whining. I do agree though that they should watch their backs if Obama gets elected and the Democrats have power in Congress.


19 posted on 07/31/2008 11:49:16 PM PDT by Stayingawayfromthedarkside
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To: MinorityRepublican

The main target of the card check legislation is Walmart. I am sure that Walmart is actively planning actions to counter unionization. If a union is forced through this legislation, Walmart will lower employment levels and increase automation. If Walmart succumbs to the union goons, retail prices will rise substantially.


20 posted on 07/31/2008 11:53:53 PM PDT by businessprofessor
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