sorry but if unions are against it, then its probably good for the consumer
Be careful what you all ask for. There is no reason Wal-Mart couldn't close the doors and sit idle for a couple of years. No sales taxes in your small town. No payroll earnings, which experts claim churn 7 times over in the immediate area. Millions instantly out of work, placing a strain on local unemployment and then hiring ANYONE will be at a lower wage because so many are looking for work of any kind.
We get bitched at every day to be wise in our use of fossil fuels. When I drive to Wal-Mart and get $150-300 worth of goods which would take 3-6 stops at the smaller stores, I am saving money on fuel, lowering the pressure on refineries which are operating at capacity, and lowering pollution with less driving and fewer constant stops and starts.
I am sure I am not the ONLY person on a fixed income. I need to shop wisely, and Wal-Mart allows me to do that.
One example: Large container of Yuban, Folgers or Maxwell house coffee is $9.99 in the regular stores. Wal-Mart charges $4.98 as of yesterday. That allowed me to take a couple of cans to the local Sheriff's office as a small token of their hard work.
Why should I drive more miles, pay for more gas, and pay more at all the mom-pop stores which are not paying high wages nor benefits, either.
Years ago, there was an attempt to unionize Kohler, the plumbing products company. Mr Kohler closed the doors over 5 cents an hour, according to the sroty I heard. 3 1/2 years later, he re-opened. The workers were more than glad to work for him and not complain about the wages he paid, which at the time were higher than other similar companies of the era.
Be careful what you ask for.
You sure got that right.
Unions are the single biggest reason all manufacturing moved overseas.