Monday, October 02, 2006

Wal-Mart Stoops Even Lower

In today's NY Times the paper reports on the decision by the Walmonster to push "a cheaper, more flexible work force by capping wages, using part-time workers and scheduling more workers on nights and weekends." Just when you thought that the retail giant couldn't get any worse, they demonstrate the uncanny knack of surprising even their harshest critics.

What this all shows is that the economic boon that all of the Wal-Mart apologists like to trumpet comes at a heavy price for the workers who toil in the company vineyards. It also shows what happens when labor is shut out and the workers (excuse us, the "associates") are forced to fend for themselves.

So all of the cheerleaders in Rockland better come to their senses, A Wal-Mart in Monsey will only have a negative impact on wages and benefits throughout the county, while at the same time forcing smaller mom-and-pop stores out of business.