Posted on 05/17/2014 8:54:15 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
When I woke up to see the news, I could hardly believe it: President Obama is planning a visit to the Mountain View Wal-Mart where I work.
But the excitement quickly passed when I found out the store would be shutting down hours in advance of his visit. I wouldn’t be able to tell the president what it’s like to work at Wal-Mart and what it’s like to struggle on low wages, without the hours I need. I am living at the center of the income inequality that he speaks about so often, and I wanted to talk to him about how to change this problem.
My situation is not unlike that of many of the 825,000 Wal-Mart associates – and many other Americans – who are working hard, but just can’t keep up. Most of us aren’t even paid $25,000 a year even though we work at the largest employer in the country and one that makes $16 billion in profits.
I wanted to tell the president what it’s like working – and living – like this.
Things have always been tight. After four years working at Wal-Mart in Mountain View, I am bringing home about $400 every two weeks (I’d like to get more hours, but I’m lucky if I work 32 hours a week). That’s not enough to pay for bills, gas and food. All I can afford to eat for lunch is a cup of coffee and a bag of potato chips. I’ve always done everything possible to stretch paychecks and scrape by. Sometimes it means not getting enough to eat.
But then I got some bad news that made stretching my budget impossible.
Two months ago, I started feeling ill. My doctor told me I needed to take a week off to have a series of medical tests. Every day for a week I went to the hospital and had to pay $30, $60 or $100 in co-pays for each appointment, test and X-ray.
With these additional expenses and without a paycheck for the week I was out, it pushed me over the edge. I didn’t have enough money to pay the rent.
Right now, I don’t have a place to call home.
I sleep on the floor of my son’s living room because I can’t afford my own place. All of my belongings are in my car. I don’t know where to send my mail.
I used to think, “At least I have my health and my family.” But my doctor thinks I may have colon cancer, and with all of the money I still owe the hospital, I’m not sure how to finish the tests and get treatment. Even though I do have insurance through Wal-Mart, the co-pays are more than I can afford with only $400 every two weeks.
I wanted to tell the president I am scared. I am scared for my health. I am scared for the future for my grandkids. And I am scared and sad about the direction that companies like Wal-Mart are taking our country.
I don’t wish the struggle I’m facing onto anyone. But sadly, my situation isn’t unique. I know that I am one of many living in the Wal-Mart economy who has no financial stability. We expect to work until our deaths because we don’t have any retirement savings and are concerned about the future in front of our children and grandchildren.
There are so many of us who have it so hard – trying to live paycheck to paycheck. While the president is here visiting my store, I want him to look inside at what is really happening at Wal-Mart.
I want the president to help us and tell Wal-Mart to pay us enough to cover the bills and take care of our families. That doesn’t seem like too much to ask from such a profitable company, a company that sets the standard for jobs in this country. And I hope it’s not too much to ask from a president who believes that income inequality is the defining challenge of our time.
Didn’t know this about Foothill-DeAnza. I know they are always looking to hire professional staff anytime I check higher ed jobs websites.
“I want the president to help us and tell Wal-Mart to pay us enough “ (and full-time work/amnesty)
Yeah. Just issue executive orders, Barry. Go ahead.
My wife started as a deli clerk in 1999, within a year she was an assistant manager, today, her salary is in 6 figures, with stock options and other benefits - all with a high school education.
Advancement oppurtunities are there if one trys.
But they do have managerial programs that can make it a career. They also help workers who have to relocate, to find slots in stores in the new area.
One thing Walmart does well is promote from within. If she was a good employee she would have been promoted before now.
But man oh man I detest these hard luck stories. She's been working 32 hours a week for the past 4 years - what the hell has she been doing with the other 136 hours? If she would have spent a couple of days off walking around an upper middle class neighborhood, knocking on doors and offering to walk dogs or weed gardens, the woman would have had some savings. Assuming she isn't a complete and total slacker, she'd quickly gain a reputation and she could move into cleaning homes and baby sitting. I have no sympathy for those who believe the world owes them a living.
Well, she wanted to, but Wal-Mart threatened to kill her if she mentioned it.
She should get to see the President and ask him why he has created such a mess of the economy,when the economy was booming in the 80s wages were higher because businesses were competing for workers therefore they paid more,now there are more people looking for work so the attitude is take it or leave it,who cares,this ass clown sure doesn’t,as for blacks who voted for this who by over 90 percent,how has that worked out for you?
Not only that guess what he is pushing now? Can’t find a job,too bad,you will be competing with millions of Mexicans soon.
What do think that will do to wages and working hours,more part time jobs.
Keep voting for Marxists IDIOTS,you get what you deserved,fairness,everyone is EQUALLY miserable
She should get to see the President and ask him why he has created such a mess of the economy,when the economy was booming in the 80s wages were higher because businesses were competing for workers therefore they paid more,now there are more people looking for work so the attitude is take it or leave it,who cares,this ass clown sure doesn’t,as for blacks who voted for this who by over 90 percent,how has that worked out for you?
Not only that guess what he is pushing now? Can’t find a job,too bad,you will be competing with millions of Mexicans soon.
What do think that will do to wages and working hours,more part time jobs.
Keep voting for Marxists IDIOTS,you get what you deserved,fairness,everyone is EQUALLY miserable
i guarantee she has a cell phone with at least 3G
my thought is why should walmart raise the rates - why doesnt she ask Oflapears if he can lower her taxes so she has more discretionary income
Pam Ramos hasn’t done the math. If WalMart had profits of 16 billion and divided it all between their 825,000 associates, it would mean each would get 19,000 a year.
However, WalMart also has out there about 4 billion shares of stock that are held by a huge number of people. They have invested in WalMart and expect a part of the profits. With 16 billion in profit and 4 billion shares, that means each shareholder could make a maximum of $4.
And if WalMart paid nothing to their shareholders why would anyone invest in Walmart, and with no money how could WalMart invest in new stores, new ideas, and new expansion?
So, the bottom line is that a raise for a worker means that prices have to increase or costs have to be reduced.
Based on her pic, she’s probably not physically able enough to do the more active jobs around the store, such as stocking any of the departments (especially grocery or garden), or working in one of the higher-volume areas like electronics. That leaves greeter or cashier, or things like that. She may be limited as to available areas. That of course doesn’t exclude your premise; even within her viable areas she obviously hasn’t excelled, though it might be harder to stand out.
Pam should get a job as a dental hygienist or perhaps a petroleum engineer or even an over the road truck driver and her Walmart problem will just go away.
Pam falls under the general heading of ungrateful bitch
Every job in Walmart stocks shelves....There are no greeters.
I’m bettin’ Pam voted for the Dear Reader, whose policies have contributed to the slow economy, her lack of hours and wages, and to the costs of her getting an education and out of that low-wage job going sky high.
But hey, Pam, I bet you enthusiastically vote for the next Democrat nominee...
Whiney Walmart employee? Quit.
Income inequality is being pimped at Walmart stores in CA this week end the SEIU are out in droves.
Sign the petition and help old people is one of their lines.
So ‘Pam’ brings in $9600 after taxes (which BTW aren’t much, if any at all). Even single with no children, that qualifies for a $365 credit on EITC. No federal taxes, plus $365 she didn’t pay in.
Also, she probably qualifies for SNAP, and maybe Section 8 Housing. Let’s also not forget subsidized Obamacare which means Medicaid for her. This story is long on ‘heartaches’ from her point of view, but very lacking in specifics with respect to the probably help she is already getting from the rest of us.
“Ramos is also a member of OUR Walmart...”
She’s a commie union thug planted at WalMart to destroy the company from within.
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