Can't Wal-Mart, a Retail Behemoth, Pay More?

The New York Times ^ | May 4, 2005 | Steven Greenhouse

[ran15]

Right now many hospitals are desperate for nurses as an example. Would only be a couple years education and then a few years work, and then he'd be making huge money.

Or like someone mentioned he is a strong healthy young man.. he could handle many manual trades. Like maybe a concrete forms carpenter? Easily make over 30$ an hour after a couple years in that job.

[Sloth]

Wal-mart is free to offer whatever wages they see fit, and workers are free to accept or reject.

Having said that, working for Wal-mart really does suck. I did it one summer in college, and I would starve before doing that again.

[mewzilla]

If Wally pays more, its customers pay more.

How the heck does that help low income folks?

[conservativecorner]

These stories make me sick. Go get further training for a job that pays better or get a second job. Nobody is stopping any of the Wal-Mart employees from quiting and finding a job that pays more than Wal-Mart. It's the "pursuit of happiness" and not the "guarantee of happiness".

[freedomfiter2]

"Wal-Mart is doing the polar opposite of Henry Ford. Wal-Mart brags about how its low prices help poor Americans, but its low wages are helping increase the number of Americans in poverty."

Oh yes, these workers were forced to quit their high paying jobs to work at Walmart. If other jobs paying more were available in their market they would switch. So why are we not hearing about the other employers in these markets?

[whereasandsoforth]

The NYT always has room for a story like this, but this same time last year they could not find one column inch to review one of the nation's bestsellers, "Unfit For Command".

I like Wal-Mart. I spend a lot of my money there voluntarily. I am also a taxpayer to the US government. Those payments are not voluntary and I have no idea were my money really goes or for what. If some of my involuntarily tax money goes to pay food stamp and medical for the folks that work at my local Wal-Mart, I don't mind. Let Wal-Mart workers figure those benefits into their yearly take.

If my tax dollars are helping keep Wal-Mart's prices down, then great. I'd rather the money go to something that benefits me in the long run instead of to something like the NEA which exist only to hurt me.

[samtheman]

Can't the NY Times, a news behemoth, make more sense?

[rabidralph]

I bet if walmart made a few well targeted "contributions" these politicians would shut up quick.

How ironic. People complain about the influence of lobbyists and how they buy politicians. I guess this is what happens when you don't come up with some senators' allowance.

[durasell]

People are attached to the familiar and the known. They don't like leaving their home towns. But that's changing. In the last six months I've dealt with a half a dozen low level employees from places like north carolina, texas and illinois who moved to NYC to work at blockbusters, car rental places and as temps to make a new start.

[Modok]

What a whining socialist.

[laredo44]

"I make $8.53, even though every one of my evaluations has been above standard," Mr. Mrkwa (pronounced MARK-wah) said. "You can't really live on this."

Then don't.

[yer gonna put yer eye out]

I agree totally, and I know what I'm talking about (having spent 31 years in construction), unlike some of the other responders on the forum.

Trouble is, some of these kids don't like being cold in the winter and hot in the summer as some vocations require...

I'm really worried about some young folks today.
Too soft.

[Chi-townChief]

Why can't Costco just hire more of these people? Better yet, why can't the minimum wage be $80,000? Even better, why can't we get paid for just staying home?

[goldstategop]

Retailing has built-in efficiencies. Wal-mart could charge higher prices, but would its customers pay them? I'd personally be willing to pay a dollar or two more to see to it the company's employees were paid better. Beyond that, for most people, its an issue of diminishing returns. Wal-mart also has a responsibility to its shareholders, to return the company a reasonable profit so it can pay them dividends. Wal-mart also pays taxes that benefit the community. Of course Wal-mart could pay its employees more. The real question is how much more before it loses the advantage that draws customers, namely lower prices. When one goes beyond a certain point, Wal-mart is going to be punished not for being socially insensitive, but for being a successful business.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[DesertSapper]

This is just another hit piece on a successful "evil capitalist" corporation.

It is not a surprise when all we hear is whining from those who stay at a low wage when there are alternatives. Those with no ambition tend to get what they strive for.

Walmart has provided a low-cost alternative to many other stores, is well-lit, clean, and relatively safe. The company provided a much-needed job for my wife when we were newly married (she even had stock options!).

I will continue to shop at Walmart for many of my needs and will switch to another store when they do and offer better.

[goldstategop]

I meant to say "inefficiencies." So I trust critics will take a look at the big picture before they try to makeover Wal-mart into something you don't see in established businesses in the retail sector of our economy.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[freedomfiter2]

Don't be afraid Jason, try to learn a marketable skill, like carpentry or plumbing or electronics. Then maybe you can get a better job than a stockboy at Wal mart.

I get your point but I think that too many people believe you need a degree or a job to make money. This is a land of opportunity where you can do better with your own business. A lot of people get trapped because they don't consider all their options.

[yer gonna put yer eye out]

"People are attached to the familiar and the known. They don't like leaving their hometowns"

Well goodness me, I'll bet they like EATING.

Most of us have had to do MANY things we didn't like over our lifetimes...it's called MATURING.

[Conservative Infidel]

I did not read the whole article, but hey John! You stock food on a shelf. I am so sorry you don't have a Porsche in the garage. Call Howard Dean and the ACLU. I am sure at least one of your rights is being violated.

You are absolutely correct! He is 27 years old doing the work of a 17 year old, for a 17 year old's wages. If the pay for stocking groceries at Wal-Mart is so bad, why doesn't he just go across town and stock shelves at the local Kroger? What the article didn't say was how long this individual had been at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart pays a very competitive wage. Locally, Wal-Mart has a starting salary of TWICE the minimum wage. Consequently, this has forced up salaries at the local fast food places. It has also forced the local fast food franchises to offer health benefits. I am not a Wal-Mart cheerleader, but I could go on and on about how Wal-Mart has helped the local economy.

[durasell]

The winners learn to adapt. I once met a guy who sold his house in Georgia for something like $90,000 and came to NYC to study at the Gemological Institute of Ameica (GIA) to learn how to grade stones. He did this at age 35. Met another guy, this one from New Hampshire, who was working three jobs to learn to become a pastry chef.

It's an adapt or die situation and a lot of people haven't figured that out.