Sprawl-Mart cowers in fear of a unified workforce.

[paineinthearse]

Closing the Jonquiere, Quebec store will only galvinize workers elsewhere.

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Freedom of Choice Delayed is Freedom of Choice Denied for Pa. Wal-Mart Workers; Wal-Mart's Anti-Worker Campaign of Legal Delays Silences Voices in New Castle Tire & Lube Express Dept.

2/11/2005 5:30:00 PM

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To: Metro Desk, Labor Reporter

Contact: Greg Denier, 202-466-1591, or Jill Cashen, 202-728-4797; Email: [e-mail]

NEW CASTLE, Pa., Feb. 11 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Wal-Mart forced workers to wait four and a half years for an election in their Tire & Lube Express Department of the Wal-Mart Supercenter in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart's high turnover rate pushed out the union supporters who began organizing with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 880 in June, 2000, because they felt Wal-Mart ignored their complaints about safety hazards.

Then, two days ago, Wal-Mart announced plans to shutter its store in Jonquiere, Quebec, rather than face the decision of the Quebec Labor Ministry that would have initiated a process to establish a fair and impartial wage and benefit settlement between Wal-Mart and its workers. Today under the appearance of opportunity, the workers failed to gain a voice on the job -- because Wal-Mart had already silenced their voice.

"Wal-Mart struck the final blow against these New Castle workers by showing them and the whole world to what lengths it will go to deny their employees a voice on the job. It's not surprising that the Tire & Lube Express workers would turn away from union representation after Wal-Mart's actions in Canada," said Joe Hansen, UFCW International President.

"Wal-Mart is the richest corporation in the world, yet cowers in fear of a unified workforce. It is reprehensible that this giant corporation would drag out a union election process for nearly five years, drive union supporters out and strike fear into the hearts of workers who simply asked for the opportunity to participate in a democratic process at work," continued Hansen.

The UFCW has launched a campaign to mobilize workers and community members to send a strong message to hold Wal-Mart accountable for its anti-worker actions. To get involved with the UFCW campaign and to sign on to the electronic petition, visit http://www.ufcw.org

http://www.usnewswire.com/

[coloradodem2005]

1. Let those stores close one by one.

I would be happy with that.

[Bozita]

2. Some (maybe all) of China's Walmarts are unionized -- Why not the US ...

... and Canada?

If it's good enough ....

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. Whattaya?

Some kind of Communist?

[Bozita]

4. I'm a fossil who thinks that wages, hours and working conditions ...

... should be negotiated.

Anything less accelerates the race to the bottom.

[Lefty48197]

5. Walmart represents everything that is bad in our economy

we're in a race to the bottom right now. The right wingers are insisting that EVERYTHING that cuts costs for a corporation is good. They're actually using Walmart as a tool to reduce wages nationwide. Pretty soon, we'll all either work at the shipping docks unloading the cargo from China, or we'll be driving the trucks to Walmart, or we'll be unloading those trucks and stocking the shelves at Walmart. The only remaining jobs will be the cashiers at Walmart.