Quote:
Originally Posted by GA Russell
Dale, that might be what they say, but I don't believe it. I believe that the only reason Walmart is singled out is because it is the most successful non-union company.
I believe that the most vocal criticism is coming from organized labor and their allies in politics; and I believe that if Walmart were to unionize, the criticism would stop immediately even if Walmart continued its questionable business practices.
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I can only speak for my area. When Wal-mart built their last big-box store, there was huge local opposition driven primarily by the local companies. My area has a large number of smaller local grocery chains and they were the ones primarily concerned. I live a big red state and there is rarely even the mention of "union" here... may as well be painting a swastika on your face. I can assure you the dissatisfaction around here had nothing to do with unions.
Of course, it could be an odd case for all I know, as I said I can only speak for this area.
And to be completely fair, I haven't noticed any negative effect from the new store yet. In some ways, I've noticed some really positive effects. The largest of the local grocery chains took on the elite foodie crowd as their differentiating factor. Sure, prices aren't fantastic but man they have some REALLY GOOD FOOD. And top notch quality without having to walk into a store so thick with elitism it's palpable. So I'm happy about that. Plus, the strip malls surrounding the new store that Wal-mart was required to build as part of the overall agreement have several new local companies at least one of which is some rather good italian food. Several local credit unions are there, another less tasty mexican restaurant (also local.)
So, as I said, there was great opposition but perhaps either through the various agreements that were made to get that area rezoned (it was all residential, so, half was made available for a wal-mart and lowes, walmart had to build a park for the rest of the residential area, plus the strip malls with reduced rent for a few years, and whatever else I don't even know all the details) or of course possible due to there never being a threat, it seems to have overall been a positive addition to the community.
I have seen rather negative impacts from wal-marts in the past as I noted in an earlier post, though. These were smaller wal-marts. Regular sized not those super-wal-marts that are usually built now. I am not sure why they had such an impact on surrounding property values and such but it was bad. That history could be part of the animosity towards wal-mart as well.
I don't discount your union theory entirely, but at least in this area it's got nothing to do with it.