Wal-Mart to close store over union threat

[MSgt213]

Retail giant shuttering Quebec location due to labor demands
The Associated Press
Updated: 4:57 p.m. ET Feb. 9, 2005

NEW YORK - In the latest salvo in a long-running battle between Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and organized labor, the company said Wednesday it will close a Canadian store where about 200 workers are near winning the first-ever union contract from the world’s largest retailer.

Wal-Mart said it was shuttering the store in Jonquiere, Quebec, in response to unreasonable demands from union negotiators, that would make it impossible for the store to sustain its business. The United Food & Commercial Workers Canada last week asked Quebec labor officials to appoint a mediator, saying that negotiations had reached an impasse.

“We were hoping it wouldn’t come to this,” said Andrew Pelletier, a spokesman for Wal-Mart Canada. “Despite nine days of meetings over three months, we’ve been unable to reach an agreement with the union that in our view will allow the store to operate efficiently and profitably.”

Pelletier said the store will close in May. The retailer had first discussed closing the Jonquiere store last October, saying that the store was losing money.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6941643/

[The Doctor.]

1. Systematically, one by one...

We should file suit to organize Labor Unions at each and every Wal-Mart.

They'll either fold or fold.

[goddess40]

5. sounds like a good plan to me.

They sure make it sound easy. I'm sure this is to send a message to their employees, question management and lose you job for yourself and your fellow workers.

[marmar]

7. I'm with you ...

I hope this snowballs into something larger. More kudos for our northern neighbors. Why can't we be more like Canada?

:yourock:

[ClintonTyree]

15. We will be................

in the soon coming Democratic juggernaut. Mark it down. The Cons have overstepped their agenda.

[mermaid]

2. Yep...It Will Close In May...And Re-Open In August With All-New

NON-UNION employees!

Bastards!! :nuke:

[NV Whino]

3. Good. The neighborhood will be better off without them.

Don't know if Canada has CostCo, but get one in if you can. CostCo has good buys and takes care of its employees.

[Canuckistanian]

12. Yes, we have CostCo's

They're in all the big cities. (I'm a member).

[Piperay]

4. So Walmart

just take 'your toys and run home' cause you didn't get your way, waaa waaa waaa...crybabies. :spank: :nopity: x(

[Career Prole]

6. Good. That's what it takes.

Now if only all the Walmart worker bees would stand up as one they could win a tremendous battle for the American worker.

“Despite nine days of meetings over three months, we’ve been unable to reach an agreement with the union that in our view will allow the store to operate efficiently and profitably.”

Right...I call bullshit.

[Haymare22]

8. No links yet, but.....

Big story about Woodland Park, CO and city council of COSprings having secret meetings with w*lmart trying to figure how to keep citizens out of the debate, how to move ahead with no public input but...the meetings were taped!!! rof.
You could check the Gazette Telegraph as I heard they printed a story on this, nada showing up on local news sites...that I found.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE.

[begin_within]

9. Now. maybe we can get them to close ALL their stores, one by one!

[DebJ]

10. Amen to the One down, more to go rooters!

[Canuckistanian]

11. They better not mess with Quebec

Quebec is a strong union-supporting province. It's the most liberal/progressive province in Canada, but they also like to do things their own way.
This is a province that nationalized the entire hydro-electric system when they found out they were being ripped off by hydro corporations.

[No Exit]

13. Oh, no!

Next thing you know, there will be competing five-and-dime stores on Jonquiere's main street! Then there might even be clothing stores--actual stores that sell nothing but clothing, and aren't part of a larger building! Then... drug stores! The poor people of Jonquiere will have to mourn as the Great Big Parking lot becomes rank with... weeds! The road traffic might even dry up, and there might even be people taking buses downtown and walking!

Those poor people. How sad that their town will lose that wonderful Wal-mart lack of all atmosphere...

[WLKjr]

14. Didn't you hear? Their not gonna take it anymore

all that negative publicity and guppies nibbling away at them..... :(

[ClintonTyree]

16. Fuck WalMart........................

I'll never shop there again. They can take their "always low prices, always" and shove them up their ass. When they start paying people a living wage, MAYBE I'll consider going back. MAYBE!

[Haymare22]

17. hating walmart......today...

I briefly spoke with an asian woman and a, hmmm, not sure the others background but they both also said 'I hate walmart" Kewl!

Edit...and both had reasons of impacting, shutting down local stores.