Blogs

The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (...they really took this straight out of Orwell), backed by the Retail Industry Leaders Association, will reportedly spend $20 million against candidates supporting the Employee Free Choice Act, a bill that would cut down on illegal union-busting.

Another anti-worker group, the Employee Freedom Action Committee (...Orwell must be turning in his grave), is planning to spend $30 million on misleading ads against the proposed legislation. The Committee won't admit who it's funders are but we wouldn't be surprised if the fast food and retail chains had a hand in it. (Wall Street Journal)

Sesame Street’s “Ernie Building Set” was released on July 15 in the United States and Europe, a product assembled in a sweatshop factory in Shenzhen, China by young exploited workers.

Watch the video from CNN.

July 7, 2008

Have you ever wondered how large retail chain stores are able to sell name brand clothes for so cheap? The price may not be as cheap as it seems. Usually, the first thing that comes to mind is to question the quality of the merchandise. However, raw material is not the only resource big companies have skimped on in the name of high profits.

"Nearly everyone who's looked at Wal-Mart's practices as an employer—its union busting, sex discrimination, low wages, and minimal benefits—has concluded that it's America's retail bad guy. By contrast, many who've examined the practices of Wal-Mart's competitor Costco—including New York Times labor reporter Steven Greenhouse in his recent book The Big Squeeze: Tough Times for the American Worker—conclude that it's the good guy. Costco CEO and founder Jim Sinegal repeatedly insists to Greenhouse that treating employees well is "good business."" (Slate)

Further Resources:

- East Cost Teamsters Ratify New Contract at Costco

- Teamsters, Costco Reach Tentative Agreement for California Members

- The Costco Challenge: An Alternative to Wal-Martization? by Moira Herbst for the Labor Research Association

- How Costco Became the Anti-Wal-Mart by Steven Greenhouse for the New York Times

For those who are dependent on tips as part of their income, current economic conditions are not favorable. According to a recent Associated Press article, workers who traditionally depend on tips for much of their income are seeing a 25-30% decrease in individual tips and tip density. “Some people are coming in less and less and maybe not staying as long when they do come in,”

...but of course no "plans" for store closures is different than saying there will be no closures. Brandworkers will be watching. Home Depot announced fifteen store closings earlier in the year. As always, workers with questions about their options and their rights can access Brandworkers Legal Defense-Plus.

[UPDATED] Judge Robert King Jr. ruled in favor of workers on Monday in the Dakota County District Court of Hastings, Minnesota.

"Wal-Mart broke Minnesota labor law more than 2 million times over six years by forcing some employees to work without breaks and without full pay," costing the retail giant up to $2 billion not counting back wages for the 56,000 employees represented under the Braun v. Wal-Mart suit (Star Tribune).

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So far, there are 80 class-action suits in 41 states against Wal-Mart

Vonda Jackson, a former McDonald’s employee filed a 12-page federal lawsuit claiming, ‘supervisor sexually harassed her and then stabbed her in the buttocks with a meat thermometer because she ignored his insults.’

Jackson claims that and assistant store manager, Glen Almon, repeatedly sexually harassed and the stabbed her with a meat thermometer in June 2006. In addition the assistant manager ‘touched her inappropriately and chased her around the store with a broom.’

Another disturbing aspect of the case is that the store manager Mike Pihony, ignored the harassment and occasionally engaged in the same behavior. Eventually, Almon was promoted and moved to a different store after Jackson filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions.

Although McDonald’s human resource department investigated her complaints, they refused to give her the required findings.

Ms. Jackson also alleges that she was retaliated against due to her complaint. She also claims that she was “constructively terminated,” meaning even though she resigned; the conditions were unbearable and left her with no other choice.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

New York City Central Labor Council leader, Ed Ott, names retail workers among the low-wage workers needing support from labor unions. Mr. Ott argues that an underclass of neglected non-union workers could create a constituency unsympathetic to organized labor. (New York Times)