Wal-Mart; The Long Road Back from America's Largest Employer
Community Forum
Chicago (October 14, 2005): Moderated by Community Media Workshop's Thom Clark, labor representatives and community leaders of Illinois sound off regarding the negative impact of Wal-Mart on workers' rights & benefits Vs the need for jobs.
Part I (click microphone to hear audio program )
Part II (click microphone to hear audio program )
Important facts from WalMartWatch.com inlcude:
- Wal-Mart Watch 2004 Annual Report -- "The message to employees is clear: exercise your right to unionize and you'll end up in the unemployment line."
- On average, Costco pays its workers 65% more than Wal-Mart, yet earns more profits per employee -- New York Times, 5-3/05; Business Week, 4/12/04
- 1.6 million current and former female employees sue Wal-Mart for gender discrimination; the largest class-action suit in history -- New Your Times, 6/23/04
- The average pay for a Wal-Mart sales associate is $14,000 a year; $1000 below the poverty line for a family of three -- New York Review of Books, 12/19/04
- 115,919 current and foremer California Wal-Mart employees file suit claiming they were systematically and illegally denied meal breaks -- Bloomberg News, 9/19/05
- Women comprise 92% of Wal-Mar's cashiers, but only 14% of Wal-Mart's store managers -- Dukes v. Wal-Mart, walmartclass.com
Panelists include:
• Paul Blank
WakeUpWalMart.com
• Carol Ronen
State Senator for the 7th District
• Howard Brookins
Alderman for Chicago's 21st Ward
• Elce Redmond
South Austin Coalition Community Council
Moderator: Thom Clark,
Community Media Workshop
a Girl On Point Production
