United Food and Commerical Workers, Local 1459, Springfield, Massachusetts -

Support a Major Retailer Living Wage in Baltimore

superuser — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:15:00 -0400

Thanks to Baltimore City Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, Baltimore may soon have a new living wage law for major retailers.

Understanding Walmart's Bugging of Underwear

superuser — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:15:00 -0400

Walmart is starting to put RFID tags on items such as blue jeans and underwear. Walmart claims that these tags, which the company uses already to track shipments and pallets, will help with inventory control. But there are many privacy and security issues surrounding RFID which must be addressed.

Poll: DC, Baltimore and Philly Residents Support a Living Wage

superuser — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:15:00 -0400

As Walmart pursues expansion into major urban markets, Wake Up Walmart and the United Food and Commercial Workers have sought the opinion of local residents in DC, Philadelphia, and Baltimore to find out how they feel. The response to this poll, preformed by the respected polling firm Lake Research, was clear: Resident have clear standards and support a living wage for big box retailers.

Walmart "Supporters" Paid Untraceable $100

superuser — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:15:00 -0400

A story in today's Chicago Reader¹ reveals that at least one hundred pro-Walmart "supporters" in Chicago were paid $100 to come and protest on behalf of the retail giant building in their neighborhood in front of Chicago's City Council on Thursday, June 24.

Wal-Mart Pays For Its Own Economic Impact Study in Powhatan, VA.

superuser — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:15:00 -0400

You would think by now that local officials would know not to bother reading impact studies that are paid for by big box consultants---but it's a slow learning curve.

On August 21, 2009, Sprawl-Busters reported that Wal-Mart's wanted to get into Powhatan County,Virginia--and the response from neighbors was predictable.

Powhatan County has almost doubled its population since 1990. As of 2008, the population hovered around 28,000 people.

After 5 Year Legal Battle, Wal-Mart Is Still Not Building in Raynham, MA.

superuser — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:15:00 -0400

On April 15, 2009, Sprawl-Busters reported that a proposed Wal-Mart supercenter in Massachusetts had been thrown into a deep freeze.

A rival grocery chain store, the Demoulas Super Markets Inc. of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, the parent company of Market Basket supermarkets, had taken Wal-Mart to court over a proposal superstore in Raynham, Massachusetts. Demoulas is the owner of the Market Basket Plaza on Route 138 in Raynham, Massachusetts. Demoulas filed their lawsuit in May of 2005, naming the Raynham Planning Board and Wal-Mart as defendants.

Weak Economy Puts Wal-Mart Superstore On Hold in Manatee County, FL.

superuser — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:15:00 -0400

There's an empty parking lot in Manatee County, Florida that should have had a Wal-Mart superstore on it by now. But slow sales in the United States are putting a crimp in a number of Wal-Mart projects. In Manatee County, Wal-Mart is feeling the heat of a slowing economic outlook.

Online Poll: Vote No Walmart in DC

superuser — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 02:15:00 -0400

A poll in today's Washington Post Express asks: "Would you support a Wal-Mart store coming to New York Avenue in D.C.?"

Why not let them know that the kind of practices that Walmart is famous for (awful health care, low wages, anti-worker policies) aren't welcome in the Nation's Capital?

ACLU Bring Medical Marijuana Suit Against Walmart

superuser — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 02:15:00 -0400

Joseph Casias started working at a Wal-Mart in Battle Creek, Michigan in 2004 where he took a job as an entry-level grocery stocker and later moved his way up to inventory control manager. In 2008 he was named Employee of the year.

Wired's "The Future of Medical Bills" Imagines Grim Future

superuser — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 02:15:00 -0400

Last night I was reading Wired.com, a personal favorite web destination, and come upon one of the scariest things I'd ever imagined.