Walmart is a civil conspiracy to violate labor law.
Walmart is at it again. From the Minnesota Independent:
Wal-Mart is threatening to fire pro-union workers at its store in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul, according to a complaint filed today with the National Labor Relations Board. The charges, filed by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 789, allege that starting on June 11 corporate representatives began telling employees that they could easily acquire a list of union backers and that those people would lose their jobs.
I know what some of you…cough…Someone and Bob…cough…are thinking. Isn’t Walmart innocent until proven guilty? Not when they have such a terrible record on labor law violations. Since 1995, the Republican-dominated NLRB has issued at least 60 rulings against the company. And do you remember those secret anti-Obama meetings? This company has no respect for law.
They also have no respect for the intelligence of the American public:
Daphne Moore, a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart, says that the company is looking into the allegations. “We’re just learning about the filing,” she says. “We’ll review it and respond after that review. Generally we provide our managers with training on how to comply with labor laws and we also make sure that our associates know their rights.”
[emphasis added]
Excuse me, I have to take five minutes off from writing this post in order for me to stop laughing….There, I’m back.
If Walmart cares so much about workers knowing their rights, it should post the phrase, “You have a right to join a union” in every break room in every store in the country. They won’t, because Walmart doesn’t believe in the rule of law.
That’s actually what cracks me up about all these Employee Free Choice Act discussions we have here. I read all about about the workers’ individual constitutional right to a “secret ballot.” Leaving aside the fact that the secret ballot isn’t going anywhere whether EFCA passes or not, there is no constitutional right to a secret ballot, even in actual political elections. [The Australian Ballot dates from the 1880s.] The legal right of workers to representation by the organization of their choice dates from 1935. Where’s the outrage when Walmart violates that? The selective outrage of Walmart defenders is no different from the Governor of Texas suggesting that his state should secede from the union. It’s a poke in the eye to our democracy and it makes me sick to my stomach.
Walmart is a civil conspiracy to violate labor law. Walmart’s many online defenders are part of this conspiracy. Shop there and you are a party to it too.
Let’s say I buy your theory that Wal-Mart has no respect for the law and that they have an anti-union taskforce that is dispatched to thwart unionization efforts. Do you honestly think they would be stupid enough to threaten to fire people? That doesn’t make any sense, JR.
The anti-union task force is not a theory and they threaten to fire people because the penalty for breaking labor law is so low. Haven’nt you learned anything by reading this blog?
It’s funny – the freedom to associate has been around since 1791. I guess it doesn’t matter, though.
Hey Bob!
The rule of law also means that only the Supreme Court can interpret the Constitution. I know some nice people who think the income tax amendment was passed illegitimately. Unfortunately, most of them are in jail.
In 1857, the Supreme Court ruled that “blacks are not considered citizens”.
Let’s all bow down to the all-knowing Supreme Court of the United States and never question anything these fine judges decide. They’re always right.
JR, have you seen this anti-union taskforce? If not, how do you know it’s not just a story? WMW just posted a bunch of misinformation about Wal-Mart’s healthcare plan. I bet you believe that, too. Yes?
All of the training manuals tell you that you cannot threaten. Yor so-called task force would be playing by the same rules, wouldn’t it?
JR:
Apparently there is no cure for the Stockholm syndrome. I do admire your patience, though.
Robert: This may be a complete surprise to you, but just because someone disagrees with Jonny and you on social issues, it doesn’t mean they suffer from a mental disorder. It’s a crazy (heh) thought, I know… but there are plenty of individuals that disagree and agree with you who run normal, everyday lives.
Nonsense, Bob! We have been brainwashed by Wal-Mart.
Bob:
I suggest you get yourself arrested to protest this terrible injustice.
Someone:
Robert is right. You’re beyond hope.
Guys: You don’t just have your own opinions, you have your own facts. Look up cognitive dissonance.
By the way the Stockholm Syndrome is a perfectly rational way to approach a situation when someone has your nuts in a vise.
It’s just that you guys buy the whole story even when you are anonymous. Perhaps you think (know?) that Walmart can trace your behavior and that makes you so unquestioning.
It turns out that even the STASI didn’t keep as close tabs on the population as people were led to believe. A little intimidation goes a long way.
You’re silly, Robert. If I didn’t believe in this great company, I wouldn’t work for it.
Robert: For your information:
My name is Jerry Richard Cook, Jr. I work at store #0833 in Carmi, Illinois. I’m a Connection Center sales associate and my employee number is #1825. My personal cell phone number is 618.384.6938
Of course, with that, the obligatory disclaimer that the comments I have made and will make on this blog are of my own free will and in no way are meant to represent those of Walmart as a company, nor are my actions sanctioned by Walmart.
There, Robert – I’m no longer anonymous – you and Johnny can drop that line now. Not that I ever was very anonymous.