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Post by Trent Lawless on Jan 7, 2008 12:14:18 GMT -5
I read a book a couple years ago called The United States of Wal-Mart, which while not exactly complimentary, wasn't entirely scathing.
Wal-Mart is a big employer in my area, since we don't have a Target or any other similar store to compete with it yet. I can say that of the people I see working there, I've seen a lot of the same folks for years, so things couldn't be all that bad if they haven't walked out or found a better opportunity.
One thing I will certainly say in Wal-Mart's favor: They do make a commitment to hiring those with disabilities. I'm all for that, working in a field that provides reading material for the blind and visually impaired.
But one concern I hadn't heard addressed lately is that of Wal-Mart's reputation for union busting. That was one of the big knocks against the company and, as far as I know, hasn't been resolved. Eliath, any insights?
Perhaps this thread should be retitled by now?!
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Post by Eliath on Jan 7, 2008 17:04:39 GMT -5
But one concern I hadn't heard addressed lately is that of Wal-Mart's reputation for union busting. That was one of the big knocks against the company and, as far as I know, hasn't been resolved. Eliath, any insights? Ah yes, this always comes up in just about every conversation about Wal-Mart.  Wal-Mart's stand on unions is simple: We don't need them. The entire decision on this matter is actually left in the hands of the associates. If a union approaches a store & gets enough signatures to get a vote then Wal-Mart sends in a team to work with the unions to make the vote happen. To date, there have been a multitude of votes presented to stores to unionize & every one has been voted down (by the associates) but one (in Canada). Salaried Management is not allowed to vote as far as I know. (Store Manager/Co-Manager/Assistant Manager) Just the hourly assocates. Now, from my position as an associate, and as a child of a union plumber, here is my take on unions in Wal-Mart: A union would come in & would define my job, then I would go through my day & I would do only my job & nothing more. I would have a supervisor that I would contact with any issues that arise & I would wait for resolution from that person. The union would take dues out of my check every month & would decide what someone that does my job should make. They would get me benefits & give me job security. I would gain seniority, etc. etc. What I have without the union is this: My job is clearly defined, as is everyone elses. I have a supervisor that I report to, if he doesn't get me results & can go to his boss, & then his boss & then his boss, all the way to walking in the president & C.E.O of the company's office if I continue to not get resolution. That wouldn't happen in a union setting. Perhaps the biggest issue that hurts the appeal of unions in Wal-Mart is the fact that is is team-breaking. You will do your job as it is defined, nothing further. So when I need another associate to help me lift something I would get: "Sorry, that's not in my job description." Or a customer would get: "I'm sorry, I don't work in the Hardware department." To Wal-Mart it is about the customers & then the associates. The lines of communication are always open, in a union setting they are restricted. The door is always open to a manager's office, that is not the case in a union setting. The union would take my hard earned money to get me the things I am already happy with & would limit the two key factors in making my job successful: teamwork & communication. By no means am I against unions. I grew up in a union household & suffered through tough winters when my father was laid off. I just feel that there isn't a need for a unionized Wal-Mart. It really is a great place to work. |
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Post by Eliath on Jan 7, 2008 17:25:06 GMT -5
Wow! That's awesome, Eliath. Maybe it's different in Ohio than in Michigan. I had a friend in college that worked there in HS and he said what I had said in my earlier post. Maybe it used to be that way and they've seen the light or something.  The Company has been the same for the last 8 years. About 8 years ago is when the focus shifted to bettering their associates. Wal-Mart actually pays benefits to anyone that works there after 3 months. It doesn't matter if you work 8 hours a week or 40 hours a week, they will give you benefits if you want them. Further, Wal-Mart pays around 80% of your medical insurance cost. To get that we did lose the matching payment to profit sharing, but that is balanced by the new quarterly bonus structure that started this year. Now, depending on how profitable your store is, you get a check. For my store, a mid-volume super-center, every full time associate (34+ hours) received $450 for the 3rd quarter on Dec. 12th. From there is is broken down by the number of hours you averaged during the quarter, for the most part our part-time associates all got checks of around $325 just as their part of profit sharing. We have 375 associates in our store. Take that number & multiply it by 3500 stores worldwide & that is a huge chunk of money for a company to hand over to their staff. Could it be more? Absolutely. Could we not get anything at all? Absolutely. I'm very happy to get that much 4 times a year.  Every company has good & bad traits. There are a lot of things that Wal-Mart does that make me scratch my head. (Like sending me a pallet of watering wands in middle January.) All in all, Wal-Mart REALLY takes care of their people. As a last example I will leave you with this senario: You work for Wal-Mart & have a death in your family. (I speak from experiance here) You would receive flowers from the store, your direct supervisor & any associates that work for you / with you. The Store Manager (at least) would attend the viewing and / or the funeral. You would get as much time off as you needed, (3 days of which is berevement) the Store Manager would come by your house to see if there was anything the store could do for you & finally, the associates would take up a collection that we call the "associate in need fund" & someone would come over & give you that money. (Usually only a hundred bucks or so, but hey, its the thought that counts. People who really don't know you, giving a couple dollars because you are going through a hard time) THAT my friends is Wal-Mart. |
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Post by Trent Lawless on Jan 7, 2008 19:14:57 GMT -5
Great answers. Thanks for the insight. When I brought up unions, I wasn't coming at it from the standpoint of "There have to be unions or you're fascist." I just know that's been a major criticism of the company and had no real inside perspective on it. Now I do. I'm pretty ambivalent toward unions myself. They can do both a world of good and a world of hurt. I'm glad that the option is at least open to Wal-Martians. |
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Post by gatekeeper on Jan 7, 2008 23:57:57 GMT -5
I'm glad that the option is at least open to Wal-Martians. Wal-Martian? Sounds like a PM 3 guy to me! His finisher could be Half Off!! LOL |
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Post by Tournament Master on Jan 8, 2008 0:17:58 GMT -5
I'm glad that the option is at least open to Wal-Martians. Wal-Martian? Sounds like a PM 3 guy to me! His finisher could be Half Off!! LOL Level 1 Move - The Greeter |
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Post by wakigatame on Jan 8, 2008 1:28:39 GMT -5
FYI - Just accidentally clicked the Deuce link and it appears to be up for those wanting to retrieve their stuff. Yeah, that's great...except my fed history went down the toilet after I got banned. God, Holland and his band of mods were way too anal about stuff. |
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Post by Pete Beck on Jan 8, 2008 22:52:32 GMT -5
Wal-Martian? Sounds like a PM 3 guy to me! His finisher could be Half Off!! LOL Level 1 Move - The Greeter Crammed Aisle - 3 add 1 |
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Post by Werner Mueck on Jan 8, 2008 22:57:01 GMT -5
Large Lady in a Gokart Blocking the Cookie Isle - 3
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Post by harmon on Jan 9, 2008 14:57:46 GMT -5
Customer Service Rep ducks behind another isle as you approach them with a question -3
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Post by Eliath on Jan 9, 2008 17:14:17 GMT -5
To bring even more humor to "Wal-Martians"...that is actually what the Wal-Mart radio network DJ calls us every morning. Yes, Wal-Mart has their own radio station. Every Friday is: "All Request Friday" Oh, BTW, his finisher would be: ROLLBACK (1/2) & he would be 75 years old with a +5 agility. |
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Post by Pete Beck on Jan 9, 2008 22:43:56 GMT -5
and odd thought came to me with this post and Wal-Martian in the bootleg forum...
Please...Please don't let Wal-Martian be the "group" creation for PM 3...
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Post by Trent Lawless on Jan 10, 2008 5:09:18 GMT -5
Since I guess I posted the "Wal-Martian" phrase originally, I'll have to say I can't take credit for it. It was in that United States of Wal-Mart book I read awhile ago. But when reading it out loud for my job, I had to consider if the author really intended it to be pronounced "MAR - shun" or "MART - ee - un." I went with the first choice because it sounded funnier.
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Post by behindthebook on Jan 10, 2008 9:19:22 GMT -5
There was a really interesting piece on NPR a month or so back on how Wal-Mart "could save the world". It was basically about their grown green policies. Pretty interesting stuff.
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