Daily Kos: Anti-Union Wal-Mart Training Video

So, Big deal.

What is the point?

Any company has the right to advocate legal alternatives to the union.

Is this supposed to prove Wal-Mart is some ‘Evil Force’ against worker’s rights?

As far as I can see, nothing wrong with the video.

Oh, yes. We can’t have potential union members hearing BOTH sides of the debate, can we? If you apply at a company, you have the right (and the obligation) to learn about the situation you will be getting yourself into. You should also have this right with unions. However, the unions do not want people to see both sides because the facts generally convince most people that unions are a bad deal.

I don’t deny the right of unions to exist. I do deny the right of unions to intimidate and harass workers and to keep their members in the dark. I deny the right of unions to force anyone to join. Wal-Mart cannot force you to work for Wal-Mart; the UFCW should not be permitted to force you to join the UFCW.

We have to allow employees to choose. If the unions were so powerful and popular, they wouldn’t be pushing for the Card Check bill, whereby they gain control of a workforce simply because 51% of employees sign a card.

I disagree with Walmart listening to their associates.  Maybe when Mr Walton was alive but not now.  We told them along time ago women were being paid less than men and they ignored it and now they have a class action law suit against them.  We told them doing away with lay a way was a mistake and now our customers are complaining.  We told them for a long time that we should go back to some of the old ways on how we did things and now they are rethinking some of the things we do.  They want us to tell them stories of the Walmart culture but this current Walmart culture is not the one long time associates remember.

Is this supposed to prove Wal-Mart is some ‘Evil Force’ against worker’s rights?

It’s just more proof (like we need any more) that Wal-Mart is anti union. Big deal*.

There used to be a complete copy of Wal-Mart’s Anti Union Manual on line, but I see where WalMartyrs is no more.

...this current Walmart culture is not the one long time associates remember.

Just another reason for Bentonville to get rid of you tenured associates, kathleen. So you won’t keep reminding them of how good things used to be.

If the Wal-mart empire is supposed to be one big happy family, then we are it’s stepchildren. ~ Sylvia D’Angelo (9 yrs)

And how old is this video? They stopped wearing vests, what, a year ago?

polos came in this summer.

Ken V,

“It’s just more proof (like we need any more) that Wal-Mart is anti union. Big deal*.

It would be hard to find ANY company that WANTS a union interferring with their business, so Wal-Mart is NO DIFFERENT than any other company!!  I bet GM, wishes they had never seen the UAW, they might still be the company they once were and able to compete with the likes of Toyota!!

Yeah, I Bet Too..

And I bet if GM “never seen the UAW,” that forklift operator in Janesville I read about that makes $26 an hour, would be making $10 per hour while the management of GM stuffed the difference into their pockets to help pay for their country club dues.

The Point is Cazar...

<i>"What is the point?"</b>

The point is...what person with at least half a brain would fall for such a carefully scripted and phony piece of propoganda?  Do people talk like this in their “every day” conversations?

Poor Russell!

He never had an idea that Wal-Mart “went for”.  I wonder how many ideas he submitted to Wal-Mart.

If there are any Wal-Mart associates who secretly read this blog, I gotta ask… did you ever have any ideas that Wal-Mart “went for?”

As you have noticed I don’t care or have the time to post on here. I will just write a couple of things.

Wal-Mart does need an “in house only union”.  Composed only of Wal-Mart workers and not connected to any outside union. 

This will address the issues that Kathleen raises of no one listening anymore.  Everything is ran by the “crowd” in Bentonville and they listen to no one but the big “ego” they see in the mirror each morning.

polos came in this summer.

I guess you’re right, ooooo, it just seems longer. They started talking about the change a year ago.

As you have noticed I don’t care or have the time to post on here.

Huh? Noticed? :o)

Ken V—such hypocrisy in your post as you did “notice”!

I am pleased that my posts are read by you perhaps over time you will understand the sagacity of the words of the “Sage”, but then again you don’t notice.  Or do you???

Did Someone Just Say, “Sagacity?”

Yes… it was very discerning of you “Sage.” With your keen powers of observation, how come you never commented on the body language that “Donna” used in this bogus anti-union training video?

For that matter, maybe Wal-Mart could use a lesson in the hidden meanings of body language as well.

As a part of the management team, “Donna” should have been aware of the message that gets sent to the receiver when you fold both arms in front of you. 

On the one had “Donna” says that Wal-Mart is interested in comments and suggestions from associates, but by crossing her arms, she’s really sending the message “I am Management.  Don’t cross this line, I’m blocking you out.  I’m folding my arms to keep all you pesky little associates from getting through to me.” You are generally considered to be either hostile or insecure if you fold your arms while talking to another person.

Screwed by WalMart:Wonder how much$$$ Donna got for her “suggestion for improving the paperwork,that was used” in all the walmarts store??BTW,the “greeters” at Walmart was an associates idea from a small town in Louisiana many years ago-before thw walmarts grew to the “behemoth supersize me variety."There was evidently a fair amount of shoppers leaving with out paying for their goods.The greeter was actually a subtle ploy to discourage theft,becuase customers were greeted both coming in And going out,it was never devised for courtesy-it was strictly for inventory control masquerading as courtesy.

I do not see the problem with the video. This is supposed to be somehow removing the choice of employees to unionize? I am aware of the other measures taken. This video is harmless. By the way, i f you read this Nick, I was accused of being you. Apparently you must be very intelligent.

I should also say that I think the views expressed with regards to unions in the video are correct. I have seen and experienced many of the situations having been in unions.

Apparently you must be very intelligent.

Apparently you’re not, Free Mouseketeer.

See the happy moron,
He doesn’t give a damn,
I wish I were a moron,
My God, perhaps I am! -R. Fairchild

Ken V,

If you are so intelligent, maybe you can explain WHY union membership keeps declining every year!!  If unions are as great as people say they are, wouldn’t their membership be getting bigger?

I think that some of you anti people should read your little quote by R. Fairchild and ask yourself if you are really on the right side of the fence and if that quote doesn’t apply to you!!

Ken,

Apparently you’re not, Free Mouseketeer.

Whassamatter, big guy—can’t take the thought of anyone not “in step” with your drivel??

Nothing new to bring to the table, this week?

Have to resort to petty insults to support your weakening claims?

You, my feeble-minded friend, are truly becoming a piece of work, as each day passes…

Bill

RDS are happy Like the quote states

I see that the real fascists are still alive and well. They still have nothing to offer and so resort to name calling as an argument for their side. What I find the saddest thing is that they actually think that they have something to say.

It seems to me that these people would also be the first to use violence to suppress speech if they could get away with it.  Just look at how they have gone crazy over a cheesy corporate video. And how they start calling names someone who had actually experienced what the video speaks about. At least we can take comfort that they would silence their opposition for all of our good. Ha!

I am assuming that these people are just teens looking for some kind of cause. ( I certainly hope so!) If so, they may learn to seek objective truth rather than “their own truth” when they grow up. If not, they may become the type who goes into politics to access the means of violence and coercion to bring about their vision for the rest of us.

“I am assuming that these people are just teens looking for some kind of cause. ( I certainly hope so!)”

According to my sources, many of the long-timers, here are thirty-somethings with no families/lives of their own.

Can you say “living in the man-cave”???

Bill

“I am assuming that these people are just teens looking for some kind of cause. ( I certainly hope so!) If so, they may learn to seek objective truth rather than “their own truth” when they grow up. If not, they may become the type who goes into politics to access the means of violence and coercion to bring about their vision for the rest of us.”
Free Marketeer in WalMart worship mode alpha-

You are referring to the Edelman propaganda clowns again.

EDELMAN REVEALS TWO MORE ‘FLOGS’

• Edelman Reveals Two More Wal-Mart ‘Flogs.’ “Public relations firm Edelman, which last week pledged to be more transparent in its involvement with client-related blogs, Thursday revealed it is behind two more ‘flogs,’ or fake blogs, created on behalf of Wal-Mart. Until the new disclosures, both blogs appeared to have been created and contributed to by independent supporters of the big box retailer, an Edelman client…One blog appears on the home page of Working Families for Wal-Mart, the allegedly grassroots advocacy group formed by Edelman last December, which is “committed to fostering open and honest dialogue...that conveys the positive contributions of Wal-Mart to working families.” The second blog is on WFWM’s subsidiary site Paid Critics.” [Media Daily, 10/20/06]

Wal-Mart Recruits Bloggers for PR Battle

“Under fire for its less-than-employee-friendly policies, among other reasons, Wal-Mart has apparently been rallying a force of blogger loyalists and mercenaries, supplying them with PR ammunition in hopes of beating back the assault, writes the New York Times. Pro-Wal-Mart propaganda produced by public relations firm Edelman has appeared in blogs, often verbatim and without attribution...”

http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2006/03/07/walmart_recruits_bloggers_for_pr_battle/

When engaging the audience in dialogue, credibility and transparency is key, as Rubel noted with his own case study from Edleman PR’s blogging campaign for Wal-Mart.
Rubel told the audience that Edelman ran a blogging war-room for Wal-Mart where they identified the most pro- and anti-Wal-Mart bloggers and engaged them on a daily basis with information.

http://www.internetnews.com/xSP/article.php/3606591

“The war room staff arrives at Wal-Mart’s headquarters, a short drive from a nearby corporate apartment where they live, by 7 every morning. The group works out of an old conference room on the second floor, christened Action Alley, the same name Wal-Mart gives to the wide, circular aisle that runs around its stores.”

http://www.spinwatch.org/content/view/2039/9/

“The contract went to Edelman, which assigned its top two Washington operatives to the account. Wal-Mart would not say what it is paying Edelman, nor would it allow interviews with the war room staff.”
Michael Barbaro, The New York Times

WalMart/Edelman- We pay Edelman $10,000,000 annually for fraud to write WalMart worship hymns here and elsewhere on the internet. Propaganda frauds brought to you by a WalMart Edelman contract and further polluting the U.S. culture with more lies, distortions and evasions.

WalMart/Edelman ‘war room’ slobs bite the dust again only this time the teenagers are assuming you to be another uninformed hillbilly imbecile.

Bill & Free Marketeer,

Notice how Ken V, side stepped my question about how come union membership is declining, instead of growing?  Guess they don’t want to look at that!!

And, it’s going to SHRINK some more, when Ford and Chrysler have to deal with the UAW and the contract it offered GM!!

SDV,

“WalMart is #1 in cancer sales”

It’s funny that a person who smokes ‘Wacky Weed’, can be so down on cigarette smokers!!
Probably you are mad that Wal-Mart isn’t allowed to sell your smoke of preference!!

“...can be so down on cigarette smokers!!”
RDS has made the connection.

I did not mention smokers, just cancer. But the world remains stunned that you were able to put the two together. You seem bent on speculations about anger and madness, no doubt revealing some issues of your own about what WalMart does and does not sell. Did you recently try to return some shotgun shells?

WalMart- If only we could sell heroin and pornography, Nick would be a happy moral relativist at last.

“Notice how Ken V, side stepped my question about how come union membership is declining, instead of growing?”

Kenny does so much side-stepping, here, I am thinking of naming a new dance move in his honor.

Let’s all do The Kenny V!

Bill

SDV,

“I did not mention smokers, just cancer. But the world remains stunned that you were able to put the two together.”

So, now you are denying that in the past, you have not written about Wal-Mart selling cigarettes and therefore ‘cancer”?  And, I see you didn’t deny smoking ‘Wacky Weed’!!

Bill, It looks more like a boy’s fort, or maybe a girl’s playhouse. Boy, it is tough not fall to their level. I just read a quote that is apropos: “Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience”.

RDS, I did notice. Unions have done nothing for us. They have raised the pay of their members, those who still have jobs, that is true. Of course it is at the expense of those who are not in unions and are shut out of jobs because the employers have to hire fewer people. I do recognize their right to exist just like any other group in a free society. What I don’t like is the union’s use of violence and coercion, their refusal to allow other points of view to exist. Like our friend what’s his name.

You will also notice that there was no response to my charge of violence as an acceptable option. Only a long lecture on Wally World creating blogs of their own. (I do appreciate the resources by the way and thank you, just not the smarmy tone and insults.)

I am a little unclear still if I am supposed to be part of the evil Wally World blog snatchers or a “hillbilly imbecile”.

My response is: “So what?” Walmart has blogs. So do other companies. The next thing you’ll say is that they have people handling PR (yes I saw) and heaven forbid they may start to ADVERTISE!!!!

As far as being in “Walmart worship mode alpha” I rarely shop there. I made it a point not to shop there at all though very recently I have bought a thing or two. FYI I hated walmart for being in the vanguard of moving American jobs overseas, especially to communist China. The only time I buy the products of “slave labor” is when it is unavoidable. (You can’t find much made in the USA anymore.) I suspect you anti Walmart types don’t mind buying Chinese or other goods from oppressive nations, you just hate Walmart.

I do however recognize that in the past American jobs have been sent somewhere else too. The mills in New England stopped producing textiles because they could be made somewhere else for less. The furniture manufacturers moved from the northeast in the 80’s to the Carolinas then overseas. Mechanization was supposed to move people out of manufacturing, and it did to some degree, then automation was supposed to eliminate all jobs after the 70’s.
The problem i have is business’ getting govt subsidies for doing it.

What actually happens when jobs move out is that resources are freed to find new products and services to make our lives better. If we were still plowing fields with horses or by hand, using “Mabel” to connect our calls on a party line, and getting around on horseback we would not likely have kidney dialisys, cheap cars, or heart transplants.

One of the things I did like about Walmart is that, at least in the past, it did not seek govt. handouts and protections unlike other companies. One thing I don’t is the protectionist in me does not like to see manufacturing leave America. I don’t hear anyone complaining about how Walmart is “harming America” because I suspect that part of your belief system makes you happy. A little guilty pleasure for you.

As for the slave labor I base my purchases on the relative freedom of the country of manufacture. Third world countries are going through something like our industrial revolution. People flock to the cities to work in factories because while it sucks, it is better than death in the countryside. As our industrial revolution progressed people in the lower and working classes began to live longer, infant mortality went down, people in the lower middle and working classes began to have more leisure time. Other countries want this as well. Better for a child to work than die. Of course I would like to see them paid more, I would even be willing to pay more for them to earn more.

I can see more than black and white but you anti-free-speech fascists seem only to see a target for your anger.

Why so down on cigs? Don’t you believe the world is overpopulated? Easy way to get rid of some people. If Walmart sold porn one would hope it would be better than the video above.

:Who intimated that you were in WalmartWorship mode Alpha,Free Marketeer?

SanDiegoView in his long post above. It is in the first section.

Free Marketeer,

I couldn’t agree more with your post, if only more people would take the time to understand all that you have said!!  One point though, you said that:

“I hated walmart for being in the vanguard of moving American jobs overseas, especially to communist China. The only time I buy the products of “slave labor” is when it is unavoidable.”

As far as communist China goes, what better way to get them to stop being communist, than to introduce them to capitalism?  But, I see later in your post, that you realize that ‘slave labor’ is preferable to ‘death in the countryside’!!  And, while it will take a little time, just like here in America, wages will raise for them too!!  The best way to combat ‘slave labor’, is to allow them work and thrive as their companies make a profit, capitalism will do the rest, through competition!!

As far as America losing manufacturing jobs, is that any worse than losing ‘ditch digging’ jobs of the past and replacing them with technology, information and service jobs?  Wonder what these people would do if they had to go back to living like people did in times before the industrial revolution!!  Change is hard to accept, but we come out better for it in the end!!

Free Marketeer,

Obviously, you stopped and made a few people think*—kudos to you.

You were very much “on spot” with your post—particularly, the fact that many overseas nations are currently experincing their own industrial revolution.

Most of the people here either just don’t “get it”, nor do they “want to get it”.

Bill

*You can expect a reposting of some old material by SanDiegoView/WWOB—that’s pretty much all he knows how to respond”

RDS,

I agree with you but had had enough typing. I believe that if the market moves jobs then that is progress. When business lobbies Congress for special treatment or tax breaks to move overseas, or to Mexico, or Canada then we have a problem.

I agree that the best way may be to introduce change is through real free market reforms. But we need to be careful. Doing business with totalitarian nation does not mean they will change. Sometimes it just means giving them money. My concern is for us. It is difficult to overcome my prior years of accepting or endorsing protectionism.

The difficulty comes in with the transition. However if you protect industries then the consumer pays more and there is less benefit overall for society. My point is only that it is not easy. Then again the real free market never is. But the alternative is worse.

Thanks Bill, that is high praise. I hope I got some people to think. This is not easy or simple stuff. It is difficult to see people lose jobs and to wonder what will happen to us or U.S. next. but on the other hand with capital stock like tools and machinery being less expensive it drops barriers to people starting business’ and allows those who may not have been able to release their creativity to release it.

For instance now that a milling machine can be had for as little as $500 there will be people who can create things that they were previously barred from.

Office supplies are cheaper as well. I remember in the late seventies or early eighties I needed a 3 hole punch. I had to go to a stationary store and I paid about $25 for one on clearance that you can get at Staples now for about $5. I remember hearing that stationary stores would be wiped out. All I could think was “Thank goodness, those @#^*#$)! deserve it.”

I don’t see any sorrow from people on this site that without lower prices people on fixed incomes have to spend more than they otherwise would. I guess high prices and profits for business are more important than people.

Apparently those $4 drugs are hurting pharmacies although they are helping seniors, the uninsured, the under insured, the marginalized, and minorities. Darn you Wally World!

Gee, I am beginning to sound like I am in Alpha mode. I still do have concerns about the rate at which jobs are leaving the US and I do not trust the Chinese. They are building up their army and navy. They have also bought the largest port in California, have been caught arming street gangs, have bought a major party through the President and Vice-President who were actually convicted of accepting money from a foreign government for the party but did not have to give it back. Thank you Bill and Al.

Interesting side note: Do you remember when Ken Starr went after Bill Clinton? I had always thought he should get him for the Chinese connection. (Arms dealers at the White House, Janet Reno’s only denied search warrant as AG, etc.) Well it appears that a company owned by the Chinese army was a major client for his firm. So I don’t think it was any coincidence that he did not hit Bill hard on that issue. Point being that the party does not matter, they are buying influence.

If I am not mistaken are not they the largest US bond holder? Maybe next to the Fed.

For more on Assault of the Corporate Libertarians
From When Corporations Rule the World by David C. Korten

http://www.pcdf.org/corprule/assault.htm

“These capitalists generally act harmoniously and in concert, to fleece the people.”
Abraham Lincoln

“People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public or in some contrivance to raise prices...”

“In the mercantile system, the interest of the consumer is almost always sacrificed to that of the producer; and it seems to consider production, and not consumption, as the ultimate end and object of all industry and commerce....It cannot be very difficult to determine who have been the contrivers of this whole mercantile system; not the consumers...whose interest has been entirely neglected; but the producers, whose interest has been so carefully attended to; and among this latter class our merchants and manufacturers have been by far the principal architects.”

Have you guessed who yet?

Here is another clue:

“A great empire [America] has been established for the sole purpose of raising a nation of customers who should be obliged to buy from the shops of our different producers all the goods with which these could supply them. For the sake of that little enhancement of price which this monopoly might afford our producers, the home consumers have been burdened with the whole expense of maintaining and defending that empire. For this purpose, and for this purpose only, in the last two wars, more than two hundred millions have been spent...”

See the one at the end of the post too. This is Adam Smith in “The Wealth of Nations” (An amazing book I list as a must read.) At least certain parts.

What he is referring to and what I beleve you are refering to is not, repeat NOT, real capitalism, or more appropriately the “Free Market.” Mercantilism is what England had in the late 18th century when Smith wrote “Wealth”. It is very similar to whatwe have now and what I complained about various times in my postings here. It is also known as corporate welfare. Certain favored companies (okay maybe Haliburton, also Bechtel, Lockheed, Raytheon) or industry lobbies (ie farmers, tobacco, etc.) get certain favors from government (food stamp program, missile contracts, foreign aid projects) from government.

God forbid they be called “libertarian”. I won’t go into true libertarianism or classical liberalism here because I need to do some things tonight. But…
SanDiegoView I think we may be on the same page with regard to corporate welfare although I believe in none at all for any industry with one possible exception. (There is my old protectionist streak)

Would not fit:
Here is one from old Adam I know you anti Wally World types will love:

It is by this superior knowledge of their own interest that they have frequently imposed upon his ["the countryman’s” or common man’s] generosity and persuaded him to give up both his own interest and that of the public from a very simple but honest conviction that their [the dealers] interest, and not his, was the interest of the public…

Masters are always and everywhere in a sort of tacit, but constant and uniform combination, not to raise the wages of labour above their actual rate. To violate this combination is everywhere a most unpopular action, and a sort of reproach to a master among his neighbours and equals. We seldom, indeed, hear of this combination, because it is the usual, and one may say, the natural state of things, which nobody hears of. Masters, too, sometimes enter into particular combinations to sink the wages of labour even below this rate. These are always conducted with the utmost silence and secrecy, till the moment of execution, and when the workmen yield, as they sometimes do, without resistance, though severely felt by them, they are never heard of by other people. Such combinations, however, are frequently resisted by a contrary defensive combination of the workmen; who sometimes too, without provocation of this kind, combine of their own accord to raise the price of their labour. Their usual pretences are, sometimes the high price of provisions; sometimes the great profit which their masters make by their work. But whether their combinations be offensive or defensive, they are always abundantly heard of. In order to bring the point to a speedy decision, they have always recourse to the loudest clamour, and sometimes to the most shocking violence and outrage. The are desperate, and act with the folly and extravagance of desperate men, who must either starve, or frighten their masters into an immediate compliance with their demands. The masters upon these occasions are just as clamorous upon the other side, and never cease to call aloud for the assistance of the civil magistrate, and the rigorous execution of those laws which have been enacted with so much severity against the combinations of servants, laborours, and journeymen. The workmen, accordingly, very seldom derive any advantage from the violence of those tumultuous combinations, which, partly from the superior steadiness of the masters, partly from the necessity which the greater part of the workmen are under of submitting for the sake of present subsistence, generally end in nothing, but the punishment or ruin of the ringleaders.

How is Walmart different from this description written in 1776?

Just remember, corporate welfare is just that, it does not equate with free enterprise. Screw Ayn Rand.

OK, ok..I take back the ‘Mouseketeer’ crack, but you have to admit beginning a post by speculating about the reader’s intelligence is a little edgy.