Wal-Mart Clarifies Policy Regarding Unions

[Khephra]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Although Wal-Mart prefers to handle labor negotiations directly with individual employees, the world's largest retailer does not have a global anti-union policy, a company spokeswoman said Friday.

"Our global policy is to work within the laws of individual countries," said Wal-Mart international spokeswoman Beth Keck.

Keck's comments followed news earlier this week that the company would permit branches of the official Communist Party-controlled union in its Chinese stores if employees requested it.

Keck said the statement didn't reflect a change in Wal-Mart policy.

"(The statement) was to set the record straight and was oriented to the Chinese media and Chinese audience," Keck said.

http://www.newsday.com/business/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-wal-mart-unions,0,574263.story?coll=sns-ap-business-headlines

[Fovea]

1. oriented to the Chinese media and Chinese audience

Translation:
We had to say this, becasue the govt would not let us rape workers in China.

[Fridays Child]

2. American union organizers, please disregard.

We are only appeasing China so that we can continue to make money there.

End of transmission

[struggle4progress]

3. "I object to the factory manager being named head of the union," ...

... Mr. Liu shouted from the floor, interrupting Mr. Liao's address. "A boss cannot represent workers."

http://joehilldispatch.org/walmartbeat/


Sounds like just the kind of union WalMart would like ...

[stevebreeze]

4. Walmart's policy of "negotiating with individuals" is like a fight

between a newborn infant and Mike Tyson...with no referees! So if the infant wins they win....The real problem is Walmart and other giant corps have so tilted the rules to favor them with campaign contributions it will take a hell of a lot of our hard work to set the playing field level.

[InvisibleBallots]

5. I love this! Walmart is feeling the heat

I'm sure they "prefer to handle labor negotiations directly with individual employees" - i.e., the employee is on her own and Walmart has a team of high priced corporate lawyers on their side. Fair and balanced right?

[Vidar]

6. China & Canada kick their ass:

Time to change their story. They are good Republicans--lying bastards.