[Aliska]

Wal Mart is the big first among probably many to come, some already here, causing a lowering of employee wages. There are many, many smaller outfits who don't pay a living wage.

Just because their business practices are legal doesn't mean they are moral.

They, like others, use part-time employment to dodge having to pay benefits. Few except the upper echelon full-time employees are paid a living wage on that job alone.

I'd sign the petition if I saw any hope of changing. I don't like to shop there or any of the mega stores that look like warehouses no matter how many lights, bells, whistles and promos they have. I do make an exception to shop at Aldi's sometimes.

[patriciaruth]

don't pay a living wage.

Entry level jobs are not meant to support a family of four.

I know some people would think that they weren't living if they didn't have the money to pay for a cell phone, cable, internet connection, take out food and designer jeans, but many of us lived long portions of our lives without them.

We also lived with air conditioning in our homes and cars.

Go to Bangladesh and Rio if you want to see what a real living wage is.

[NavVet]

Just don't work there, if you can make more money elsewhere.

[sailor4321]

Just because an employer doesn't apy what some interest group arbitrarily defines as "a living wage" doesn't mean that employer is immoral (or, that employees can't in fact get by just fine on less than the above referenced "living wage).

So called "living wage" restrictions are almost invariably the result of situations where some interest group is able to apply leverage way beyond what is proper (e.g., city ordinances in places like San Francisco). It is rediculous to pretend that you can ascertain something like a "living wage".

[Fledermaus]

Living wage=Marxism.

Get over it.

If people are too freaking stupid to make a good living in the greatest country on earth with all the opportunities, then to hell with them.

And define "living wage". Two cars, cellphones, cable, computer, internet access, etc? Geez, I guess next you'll argue these are god-given rights.

Anyone with an IQ above 100 can make a good living. Most don't even try.

[SALChamps03]

This "living wage" idea is garbage. If a job at Walmart doesn't meet someone's needs, they are free to seek employment elsewhere. They are free to seek additional training. I worked in retail for 20 years. After I got married, it didn't meet my needs any longer. I returned to college. I worked full-time while going to school full-time. I got my degree and I got out. Now I am making more money. Why? I sought marketable job skills that would pay me a higher wage.

[Chode]

min wage isn't meant to raise a family on and if that's all you make... ya better think twice before getting married and having kids.

only in America do the "POOR" have Cars and Microwave Ovens and Cable and DVD players and VCR's and CD players and ipods and Cellphones and $200.00 sneakers and still piss whine and moan about being poor... not to mention all the water lights and electricity they could ever use

[dakine]

"living wage"

You're "alive". Cut back your frivolous spending 50% and send the extra cash to me... (sounds just as absurd as your "living wage")

[Gabz]

Wal Mart is the big first among probably many to come, some already here, causing a lowering of employee wages.

In this region, WalMart pays better than most employers for basically unskilled labor.

[gogipper]

..... use part-time employment to dodge having to pay benefits....


And some employees use the part-time employment to fit into their chosen lifestyle i.e. taking care of children or parents, lower stress, etc. Making choices!

[Adiemus]

"Few except the upper echelon full-time employees are paid a living wage on that job alone."

BS.

My son works at Wal Mart. He is full time. He works as a technician in the Photo lab. I wouldn't call that "upper echelon."

By the way, his medical insurance is better than what the local school district provides for my spouse (and she has to pay a considerable portion of the insurance cost, my son receives the medical coverage for FREE).

All the Wal Mart whiners and bashers need to LEARN a little about the company before condemning it.

[texassizednightcrawler]

What is a living wage? Who sets the standard? ALF-CIO? Are you willing to spend big bucks for a toaster? Most of these people don't stay at Wal-Mart! My wife worked there briefly. She left for a new job. One of her friend who still works there was promoted from cashier to the optical dept. My wife's friend never had a professional job in her life! She was so excited, because this was a big opportunity for her. She was impressed that they thought of her that highly to promote her. If the chain was unionized she may never have gotten the job. Often people who work at these store are young, just starting out or like my wife in between professional jobs. Often it is not unusual for Wal-Mart to fire screw ups who run off to break room and sleep under the tables (this has happened) or people using drugs (this to has happened too). In either case if a union is involved it would drive costs up because of difficulty of getting rid of someone. Additionally, I am not going to shop at store were the hourly wages are going to be high, because it will drive prices up. Additionally, if there is high rate employee turnover, why offer them benefits. You would price yourself out of the market. Consumes shop on price (you state that you sometimes shop at Aldi's, which is very cheap. I guess you don't live near a Save-A-Lot). Not left wing union values.

[texassizednightcrawler]

What is a living wage? Who sets the standard? ALF-CIO? Are you willing to spend big bucks for a toaster? Most of these people don't stay at Wal-Mart! My wife worked there briefly. She left for a new job. One of her friend who still works there was promoted from cashier to the optical dept. My wife's friend never had a professional job in her life! She was so excited, because this was a big opportunity for her. She was impressed that they thought of her that highly to promote her. If the chain was unionized she may never have gotten the job. Often people who work at these store are young, just starting out or like my wife in between professional jobs. Often it is not unusual for Wal-Mart to fire screw ups who run off to break room and sleep under the tables (this has happened) or people using drugs (this to has happened too). In either case if a union is involved it would drive costs up because of difficulty of getting rid of someone. Additionally, I am not going to shop at store were the hourly wages are going to be high, because it will drive prices up. Additionally, if there is high rate employee turnover, why offer them benefits. You would price yourself out of the market. Consumes shop on price (you state that you sometimes shop at Aldi's, which is very cheap. I guess you don't live near a Save-A-Lot). Not left wing union values.