The Walmart Movie
 

http://www.walmartmovie.com/

I went to see this last night and it was really good. I wondered if anyone else has seen it? If there is a screening in your area, I'd say go. It's worth if for the free popcorn, pop, appetizers, and wine. I love FREE. It was ALL FREE. I'm thinking you can also get the DVD at Blockbuster or wherever.

I'll think twice before shopping there again. It makes me wonder about the business practices of ALL stores, not just the retail giant.

Girl there is a whole underground movement against Wal-mart I never knew about myself until I started frequented another message board.

I've never liked them since 2 years ago, they were busted here in town for hiring GOBS of illegal aliens at sub-par wages(no breaks or anything either).

I know this isn't popular, but Walmart also contributes to the loss of lots of US jobs to oversea locations. They demand that their products be sold at a certain price and producers find that the only way to get their product that low is to move labor overseas or to purchase parts from oversea manufactuerers.

These reason are being presented on a very elementary scale (mostly because I'm at work and don't have time to dig ) but it just touches the surface as to why for a while, they are no longer on my list of places to shop - and that's if I can help it.

I may check this movie out - who produced this?

I haven't heard about the movie.

However, I do know that Wal-Mart takes care of its employees from the top to the bottom. Many of our assistants work their as their second job. There benefits are great! When many of their employees evacuated for the storms, WalMart was there for them...IMMEDIATELY! They received on the spot assistance and the option to work immediately. Shucks, if all I had was a high school diploma, I'd probably work at Wal-Mart. Why not? Benefits, stock options, bonuses each year...

Many companies have their deep dark "secrets". If we knew about all of them, where would we shop? who would we support?


:confused:

Wow! One of the things they focused on in the movie was that the employees didn't get good benefits. They encourage their employees to seek public assistance and will even help with the paperwork?! 70-some odd percent (I think that's right) of their employees get government assistance of some sort (WIC, welfare, food stamps, etc).

I don't think it's about not supporting the businesses. I think it's more about forcing them to do what's right in order to continue supporting them. I'm sure ALL corporations have their deep dark secrets. But if those secrets come to light, should they be ignored? I don't know who we'd support. I guess mom & pop stores?

It's why I feel conflicted about boycotting them. Clearly, the people who work there NEED the jobs; I don't want anyone out of work. However, I also do not want people mistreated because they NEED the job and have nowhere else to work. It's not fair labor. They have too many class action lawsuits for all their employees to be totally happy. Like I said, I don't know, but it definitely has me thinking.

Robert Greenwald produced it.

Good point AKA2D91

And as with anything, some locations are probably managed poorly (ie the one in my city) as opposed to others where the managment really takes care of their employees.

I can vouch for the assistance part. A lot of my clients work at Wal-Mart. The catch is usually that the health insurance costs are too expensive to cover the employee and their family. So a lot of my clients have Medicaid for their children.

Wal-Mart has put a lot of mom-and-pops out of business, but SOMETHING they are doing is working or else they would not be the powerhouse that they are now. As for hiring illegal workers, that goes on everywhere. There are ways to verify someone's SSN, and if it's a duplicate that will come up too. I do this everyday as part of my job.

And like every other chain store, like HK1974 said, it depends on how the store is managed and what its employee make up is like.

I worked at Wal-Mart in high school.

My General Manager bought a vacation house in Vale CO with his Holiday bonus.

nikki- Start Menu>Programs>Accsessories>System Tools>Character Map Pick your font and all of your accents/marks will be there. Ami me gusta hablar espanol, y tu?

Re: Moms and Pops
You are SOOOOO correct on that. The moms and pops were so convenient to get to. However, many have lost their business to the competition of one stop shopping.

Bonuses:
I wouldn't mind working at the Walmart here. Many stores are still not operating. One store was open for almost 2 months before the nearest location opened almost 2 weeks ago. I KNOW that store's employee's bonuses will be HUGE! Last year, my former assistant received at least $1200 as a part of her bonus. :o

Also regarding the health coverage, many of the employees their working their 2nd job aren't in it for the benefits. They either get the benefits via the hubby or their regular job.

I can't stand Wal-Mart. I despise having to go in there and when I do, I run in and get what I need. What people fail to realize with Wal Mart is while it does make merchandise that would be otherwise out of reach affordable for the working poor is that at the same time, it keeps the working poor just that. Poor.

Ok...those of you that hate Wal-Mart...

Propose an alternative...

It irritates me when people talk about something like Wal-mart as such a problem, but have no solution.

How about the hardware store, grocery store, clothing shops, etc.. If you're looking for a discount store alternative, my answer to that is TARGET!

I live quite happily without Wal-Mart in my life.

:rolleyes:

You can never even BEGIN to talk about a solution until you completely understand the problem. Otherwise, you are making uninformed decisions. I apologize if creating a conversation where different view points are discussed allowing us to learn from one another in order to perhaps make an informed decision in the future has made you uncomfortable. If you are that irritated, perhaps this isn't the thread for you.

My goodness...

Gracias! Me gusta hablar espanol, tambien. Pero no me gusta me trabajo en este momento porque no puedo hace (I can't do) este renewal.....argh!

What makes Target so different from Wal-Mart...except slightly higher prices for the same or slightly more "brand name" items.

I'm not uncomfortable, and I'm really wanting people to "discuss different veiwpoints", but that includes, not only saying "I hate XYZ" but saying why and proposing alternatives. That is key in a good debate. I'm really not as worked up as you're apparently thinking I am.

And saying "I don't know" is not appropriate for a "good debate?" Must we all have an alternative TODAY, RIGHT NOW? Or can we just discuss the issue? I don't have an alternative right now because I haven't completely made the decision to not shop there. Which was the reason why I started this thread, to generate conversation (because there are two sides to every story, so I'm not totally convinced that the Walmart movie is the gospel), not necessarily to wage a war against Walmart and come up with solutions and alternatives. I didn't know it had to be a debate. :confused:

They had a showing at our union hall in Bellingham. I missed it because I had to work.

(Yup I am a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union-UFCW)

The issues about Wal Mart have been around for sometime now. Working there as a second job and working there as a primary job are two different things. Those who rely on the job for their sole dependence are the working poor (I am not talking about the managers.)

And there was a time when Wal Mart would NOT open stores in inner cities. They left those to K-Mart. :rolleyes: That in and of itself is why I do not shop at Wal Mart.

How is Target different? It is a conglomerate that also includes upscale retail stores. It does not need to rely on severe cost cutting to offer lower prices in the Target stores, because it has a different relationship with its vendors.

Ideal08, thanks for the link. Robert Greenwald makes some very thought provoking movies.

I understand what you are saying. That's why I said in my initial post, what are we to do? These multi-million/billion dollar companies ALL have something going on that we don't know about. Additionally, it could be revealed that their practices aren't Godly. So, what are we to do? We can boycott, but they will still continue to flourish. I've got to pick my battles, and fighting WalMart isn't one of them.

Personally, I'm going to shop where it's convenient. Right now, we don't have too many options as many of you all have. If it's mom and pop, WalMart, Target, AF AM owned, or whatever, that's where I'm going to go if they have what I want.



How does WalMart continue to make one poor? :confused: I thought individuals were responsible for themselves, not WalMart. :confused:

You've never hear the term working poor?

Wow.....
 

I am amazed at what people do not know about Walmart....

I truly recommend (well actually begging) that people watch the movie...

Yes it is true that corporations have a facist stranglehold on this country but, Walmart has taken it to a different level.

Please watch the movie......

And by the way, I do not mean to be insulting but, if you are unsure of what "working poor" is, you should really decline from giving an opinion.

Why do I have the nerve to type such a statement? Because when I worked for the AFL-CIO (when all unions were still under their umbrella), I have seen more Walmart and "Walmart like" hell holes that would make you cry, scream, or both.

But anyway, here is a short definition of "working poor" from Wikipedia...

"Working poor is a term used to describe individuals who maintain full-time jobs but remain in relative poverty due to low levels of pay and dependent expenses. Often, they have negative net worth and lack the ability to escape their situations. In some situations there are people who choose to reject material benefits or prefer a lifestyle that most would regard as lazy or degenerate. Those people would not fall within the category of working poor.

In contrast to the ideal portrayed in Horatio Alger novels, where determination and a strong work ethic can lift a person from poverty into middle class comfort, the "working poor" are those who work hard yet do not escape poverty."

There are A TON of articles and blogs concerning this issue. Not to mention, the massive tax cuts for the wealthy are killing this population. :rolleyes:

Soror AKA2D '91

When Sam Walton ran Walmart, it was the "made in the USA" that got alot of people rallying around the store and allowing for their phenomenal growth. Then before you know it, Walmart is going overseas, putting manufacturing plants out of business in the US and exploiting the individuals that work for the store. There was a story at a reputable newspaper that found that the a large segment of the Walmart workforce utilizies governmental assistance for its workers with respect to healthcare. Walmart can't have it both ways, they can't be capitalistic when it comes to their shareholders and welfare pimps when it comes to their employees. Their actions are expanding the gap between rich and poor (and keeping the poor, poor) because there are not opportunities for growth if one doesn't have a college degree. So one can work there for 10 years and not receive any real benefits. So you have a person who works an honest job, 40 hours a week, but needs governmental assistance to have health care benefits for their children. With no opportunities for job advancement, no ability to transfer their skills to a competitor and/or start a business to compete against Walmart, one can work their forever and never move into the middle class.

One shouldn't need a college degree to live a middle class in America. Oh, did I forget Walmart continues to hire illegal aliens through "contractors" ?! Oh, and they are so automated they know to the hour how much toilet paper goes on the shelf but they can't figure out their contractors are paying below the minimum wage for their workers..bull!

I feel both parts of the arguement, but I feel that Wal-mart helps those that are poor, able to purchase reasonably affordable items. Im looking at this from a consumer stand point and I ask what is someone suppose to do who is BROKE (like myself) and Walmart and Sams Club are the only places near by that they can afford??

I like Target but sometimes they are little more pricey and out of my range, especially for household items. When I am at Target in my mind, I'll be thinking "Man I know I can get this much cheaper at Walmart"

great discussions...I'll continue to educate myself about this issue, but in reality I would probably will still shop at Wal-mart and Sams Club, I can't even deny that.:o

^^^Exactly!

So Walmart is the ONLY business with these practices (past or present?) NO!

Still, how is WALMART responsible for keeping one poor? working or not?


There are many people with only a high school diploma doing very well. It's about choices, ambitions, etc.

^^^true...

This whole issue is new to me, but not far-fetched cuz once business gets big, 9 times outta 10, it's going to do things that big bussines does. Those things are usually unmoral, unethical, and greedy-esque (which isnt really a word, but I couldn't think of another adjective).

Hmm, but I just saw the trailer, I think I may just buy the DVD and try and get it shown on campus if I can. Looks like something Micheal Moore would put out. Walmart is such a big thing around this area cuz there is nothing out here. Most people don't seem to be college educated. The majority seem to be lower middle class or juss in that poor bracket. A wonder what kind of effect a movie like that would have in an area like this.

So are you saying thay anyone who is poor is poor by choice? :(

I'm a fan of Walmart for the selection and prices. I think they are very different from Target, Kmart or other discount retailers. It is more than just low prices that have made them the global industry leader that they are. If no one wanted to shop there, they would go under. If no one needed to work there, they would go under. They are filling a need in many communities for jobs and low cost items. Yes, the pay is low. So is the pay at the gas station, TJ maxx, McDonald's and other jobs of that sort. It's unfortunate that many of these workers are unable to get out of the cycle of poverty. But that situation was probably already in existence before they started working at Walmart.

CHOOSE to BREAK the cycle!
 

^^^
E.X.C.E.L.L.E.N.T

The unfortunate thing is that the current welfare system requires that you get a job within five years. If the only job you can get is at a company that pays ultra-low wages, (and for example, the majority of your pay barely pays for housing, child care, and transportation) you are stuck in the cycle. I guess that is why I am less judgemental than I used to be. Working in social services I see the struggles that many earnest people, trying to get on their feet, go through. And I know that companies like WalMart do not help the situation.

Soror, I will say I do agree with you to a certain extent. I once read this book called Nickel and Dimed which talked about the poverty cycle. One of the things the author pointed out was that when she was working at Walmart she was only making $7 an hour but she was required to buy a Walmart shirt to wear for work that cost $7. It was hard because she said a work shirt cost one hour of her pay. Something to think about....(read the book to gather a better meaning)

However, from a consumer stand point, I don't think that not shopping at Walmart is going to help the situation at all.

This sounds like the issue is more closely related to the national minimum wage than Walmart. I just don't see why Walmart is the main villian when there are plenty of other companies that pay $7 or less. At least at Walmart, employees can aspire to management or some type of pay increase over time. Several of their top managers started at or near the bottom of the totem pole.

That is why I said companies like Wal*Mart. And I am not sure how prevalent aspiring to management is without a higher degree. So you have any stats on that?