Posted on 10/02/2006 8:06:25 AM PDT by gopwinsin04
If they bleed themselves too much, they will change tactics. WalMart didn't get to be the world's largest retailer because they're stupid. I'm sure they studied the labor markets before making this decision. If it turns out to be a poor one, they can always change course.
"I'm beginning to hate Walmart about as much as the leftists do."
Maybe you need to take a long look at yourself then. Wal_mart "forcing" employees to Medicaid? Yep, you're turning liberal, if you weren't already.
>>>These new policies are the exact opposite of what has made Wal-Mart successful and they have, in the last six months, apparently decided to kill the goose that laid the proverbial golden egg. Sam Walton's legacy is dead, and the associate is now considered a dispensible commodity. >>>
This is exactly my point ExpatGator. The very thing that made Walmart a success is now going to be their downfall and unfortunately, us taxpayers will the be the ones to foot the bill while the CEO's have their fat nest egg sitting in wait. Makes me sick.
"As for funding their payroll, no corporation is obligated to provide benefits. Take up that complaint with Congress."
Isn't it funny how more and more FReepers are pushing for socialism lately? I have only been a member of this site for a couple of years and the change here in that time has been dramatic.
>>>Do you own any stock? Have a pension, a 401(k) maybe? A stock mutual fund? Perhaps a whole life insurance contract? An annuity? If so, those corporations are you. >>>
Walmart stock holders have as much a say so as I do about what color socks you wear. You are blind.
>>>"As for funding their payroll, no corporation is obligated to provide benefits. Take up that complaint with Congress."
Isn't it funny how more and more FReepers are pushing for socialism lately? I have only been a member of this site for a couple of years and the change here in that time has been dramatic.>>>
Noone is wanting socialism. What we are wanting are tax breaks to end for corporations who drain on the state ecomony. But some Freepers aren't quite intellegent enough to grasp that.
Your situation is EXACTLY trapped by your own making, unless someone snatched your family, planted them where you live, and forced your hubby to work for 20 years at one place NEVER planning to do anything else. Who, besides your family, made those decisions? I have sympathy for your circumstances, but you don't have anyone to blame based on your previous reply. No employer is obligated to stay in one place, nor remain in operation infinitely. The textile market changed and y'all never saw it coming, but how is that ANYONE else's fault?
But of course it is an option! If a worker doesn't want to go to P/T he can quit. Wal-mart workers are not slaves.
I just wish more companies would offer P/T positions. I know a lot of stay-at-home moms who would love to work P/T, but hardly any companies offer P/T hours.
They will have to change that course without the loyal 10, 20, and 30+ year associates that they are intentionally squeezing out. Their success has been based upon the huge loyalty that their personnel policies engendered through the years. They really took care of people who took care of them. Those days are over and it will be VERY difficult to regain that loyalty, if it is even possible.
The company's loyalty is what kept those folks going in what is a frustrating, unrewarding and fairly low-paying sector (retail). You think they had long lines last year for the holidays??? Wait until you see this year. They are not even gonna have layaways for their "Blitz Day" after Thanksgiving, which historically accounted for about 25% of that day's "sales". I bet their "no show" employees will set a record this holiday season.
I have taken graduate level economics, micro and macro, and the level of economic ignorance on this, a conservative forum, stuns me at times. Too many people just don't understand free market economics anymore.
Mark my word: their stock will be a major percentage lower this time next year.
""Trapped by your own making" is an arrogant and INCORRECT assessment."
Cry me a freaking river. What happens to you is other people's fault? That's how poor people who stay poor think. That is not how the rich think.
I suggest you read two books. "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" and "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind". With your attitude, you will be poor until you die. It is ALL you, EVERYTIME.
"It should be noted that longevity was being rewarded by regular pay increases, to the point that there are cart-pushers who are making $20/hr or more."
That $20 figure looks like bravo siera to me....are you including benefits or something and is that in line with the industry?
>>>Your situation is EXACTLY trapped by your own making, unless someone snatched your family, planted them where you live, and forced your hubby to work for 20 years at one place NEVER planning to do anything else. Who, besides your family, made those decisions? I have sympathy for your circumstances, but you don't have anyone to blame based on your previous reply. No employer is obligated to stay in one place, nor remain in operation infinitely. The textile market changed and y'all never saw it coming, but how is that ANYONE else's fault?>>>
As I said to Lady Vet. Hope your arrogance doesn't come back to bite you. When you are humbled, think of the Freeper "Sandbar", ok?
Their new layaway policy (because of course the ONLY thing that matters is the bottom line of profit, customer satisfaction has NO value at Walmart) will send them right down the lane as Kmart.
Nice that you're believing in one of the biggest liberal lies alongside Global Warming.
Wal-Mart employees are taxpayers just like everyone else. If you don't want them on Medicaid, then abolish the system. But until then, don't being in favor of Medicaid picking and choosing who can leech off the system.
People who do not need layaway for Christmas, school shopping, etc.. do NOT shop at Rich's, Macy's etc... They are moving out of loyalty not only to their employees, but their customer base as well.
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